Get to Know Me

My name is Jennifer Gushue-Tedford. My educational background includes a diploma in Social Service Work (RSSW) and my certification in Volunteer Management. I am registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, I am also certified through ASIST, Palliative Care, and as a Thanadoula. I have also completed. my Thanatology Certificate to become certified in grief and bereavement. You never stop learning!

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I started my career as the Coordinator of Volunteers for Distress Centre Durham. I was also responsible for all training programs there. After completing a four year contract, I joined the Don Mills Foundation for Senior Citizens. This opened my eyes to the world of gerontology and I eventually ended up working for a Long Term Care Facility in Pickering where I became certified in Palliative Care. In 2006, I was fortunate enough to return to Distress Centre Durham as the Director of Community Resources, responsible for the management of the 24-hour helpline & Community Call Out Program (including the volunteer program) and Community Education (including the Teen Suicide Awareness Program and all in-house training).

In the fall of 2012 I left Distress Centre Durham to take on a Palliative Care Coordinator Position with Durham Hospice. In that role I supported a case load of individuals who have a life-threatening or life-ending illness and/or their loved ones. In April 2015 Durham Hospice was integrated with Victoria Order of Nurses and is now titled VON Durham Hospice Services. Under this new integration I took on the role of Intake Coordinator; responsible for processing all referrals and booked assessments, supporting individuals with information on comm​unity supports and providing community education. 

My most recent employment, I am the Social Service Worker for a Long Term Care Home in Pickering. Here I work with resident's and family through many different issues including, finances, interpersonal relationships, physical health crisis (including end of life issues), mental health crisis and navigating government standards, forms and requirements.   I have also recently been certified as an Instructor for the Fundamentals of Hospice Palliative Care Course.