Psychosocial Counselor – Cancer Project at Catholic Medical Mission Board - CMMB

Department Summary

The Programs Department plays a critical role in achieving CMMB’s strategy around improving the lives of women and children, by leading the provision of high quality programs focused on children’s and mothers’ health, and particularly in the development and implementation of our CHAMPS model. This team is also responsible for generating revenue from and partnering effectively with government(s), major foundations, and other major donors, and will help to position and enhance CMMB’s technical capacity and reputation in the field of global healthcare.

CMMB has been working in Kenya for almost 15 years. CMMB works to ensure that the most vulnerable populations, especially mothers and children, have access to quality services in health care, health promotion and illness prevention.

Overview

You will be concerned with the understanding and treatment of the social, psychological, emotional, spiritual, and functional needs of people coping with cancer and its treatment, at all stages of the trajectory from prevention through to bereavement. Your work involves professional activities such as psychosocial oncology assessment, individual, couples and small group counseling, crisis intervention, environmental resources assistance, patient advocacy, patient and public education and professional development. You will support cancer patients and their families, utilizing a whole person approach to cancer care that addresses a range of human needs to improve or optimize the best possible quality of life. This role may you to contribute to research and education. You will be expected to demonstrate professional responsibility and accountability. consistent with, the mission, vision and values of CMMB.

Responsibilities

Support Direct Service to Patients and Families

• Collaborate with the cancer care team in the identification of cancer patients/families requiring psychosocial services.
•  Assess patients’ and families’ psychosocial needs and develops a treatment plan, in conjunction with the patient, family, and health care team, to address those needs and to enhance, promote and maintain optimal psychosocial functioning of the patient and family.
• Help the patient cope with the emotional, psychological, social, and spiritual and functional aspects of cancer and its treatment.
• Promote patient and family empowerment and reinforces a sense of autonomy and self-determination.
• Plan and coordinate interventions, provides counseling services based on accepted best practice standards.
• Communicate plan to interdisciplinary patient care team and evaluates effectiveness of interventions for identified patients and families.
• Provide information and referral re: financial assistance, transportation, accommodations, and other environmental resources as well as all supportive care services locally.

Program and Service Delivery

• Foster relationships with the individual and community organizations, to help build cancer care capacity.
• Support professional development regarding psychosocial oncology care and supportive cancer care resources.
• Demonstrate proper use of available communication tools/materials for effective communication and understand how the culture(s) of patient populations can affect communication, collaboration, and the provisions of care, treatment, and services.
• Ensure compliance with reporting requirements and appropriate documentation as identified by CMMB’s policy and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited university program required.
• Currently registered and a member in good standing with the Manitoba College of Social Workers.
• Working knowledge of computers required.
• Minimum five (5) years related psychosocial support practice required, minimum of three (3) years oncology experience preferred.

Skills and Competencies

• Demonstrated competence in clinical skills including psychosocial assessments and counselling intervention preferred.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and in multiple environments.
• Ability to work with the multidisciplinary team at regional and tertiary cancer care sites
• Proficiency in both official languages preferred.
• Advanced level of communication (verbal and written), facilitation and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a culturally responsive manner.