Counsellor jobs

Purpose of the Job

This role serves as the first and only point of entry for community members, providing them with the opportunity to request assistance from the Chevrah Kadisha while being understood and contained, and facilitating psychosocial and financial assessments to determine appropriate service options.

The role provides short-term engagement with callers, individuals and/or families, based on assessments and referrals, and facilitates access to services within and external to the Chevrah Kadisha, according to identified needs.

Crucial to this role is upholding confidentiality, privacy and privileged information in a dignified and respectful manner, in accordance with the POPIA, relevant professional registration councils, organisational policies and applicable consent requirements.

Role and Responsibilities

Containment

– Listen to and understand the client’s requests, needs or challenges.
– Provide crisis intervention, emotional containment, support, care and compassion.
– Explain and guide clients through available services, admissions processes and documentation requirements.
– Facilitate admissions and access to appropriate services.
– Ensure immediate safety and safeguarding where required.
– Follow up, monitor, terminate and/or refer cases appropriately.

Assessment

– Assess referrals requiring organisational services.
– Conduct face-to-face interviews, telephonic assessments, home visits and hospital visits, as appropriate.
– Provide trauma containment and respond to telephone, email and website referrals.
– Assess, report and refer at-risk matters with immediacy to the appropriate authorities or service providers.
– Work collaboratively with referral sources including families, professionals, community organisations, internal divisions and Rabbinical representatives.
– Conduct psychosocial, financial and home-based care needs assessments.
– Assess care and support needs, determine eligibility for services and make recommendations on suitable service options.
– Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
– Develop and maintain resource and referral networks.

Referral

– Refer clients to appropriate internal and external services and community resources following assessment.
– Receive, verify and collate supporting documentation.
– Process referrals and facilitate access to appropriate services.

Administration

– Capture and maintain accurate electronic client records.
– Complete comprehensive assessment reports, intake documentation and maintain accurate case notes throughout the intervention process.
– Ensure all relevant documentation and reports are prepared for ongoing service provision.
– Maintain statistics, resource lists and records of general enquiries.

Professional Development / Functioning

– Maintain and develop professional qualifications, knowledge and skills relevant to the role.
– Participate in supervision, consultation, professional development and performance reviews.
– Maintain comprehensive knowledge of available services and community resources.

Collaboration and Liaison

– Facilitate collaborative working relationships with internal teams and external service providers.
– Liaise with relevant stakeholders to coordinate assessments, referrals and service delivery.
– Provide information, feedback and documentation as required.

Ad Hoc Duties

– Attend and participate in staff meetings, committees and other relevant meetings.
– Liaise with and report to relevant internal and external stakeholders.
– Complete financial and psychosocial assessments.
– Perform any other duties reasonably required within the scope of the position.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, or Counselling.
• Registration with SACSSP or HPCSA.
• Minimum of 3–5 years’ experience.
• Experience conducting psychosocial, financial and home-based care needs assessments.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention, trauma containment and safeguarding practices.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and report-writing skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and external stakeholders.
• Sound administrative and organisational skills.
• Computer literacy and experience working with electronic case management systems.
• Valid driver’s licence and willingness to conduct home and hospital visits.

Preferred Skills

• Empathy and compassion.
• Professional integrity and confidentiality.
• Sound assessment and analytical skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Problem-solving and sound judgement.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Resilience and emotional maturity.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills.