Bereavement Counselor

**Position**: Bereavement Counselor **Department**: Support Services

**Reports** **to**: Manager of Bereavement Services **FLSA** **Status**: Exempt

Position Summary / Main Purpose

Provides support/counseling services to patients/families/significant others in dying, death and grief related issues, as well as interfaces with volunteers to ensure the bereaved needs are being met.

Essential Functions

Bereavement Client Services:

* Assesses bereavement needs of individuals experiencing grief and completes a risk assessment that includes evaluation of coping skills and support systems and then completes an assessment of the bereaved within 31 days of the death of the patient.

* For bereaved individuals who seek counseling, an initial plan of care is developed, and any changes to the goals and interventions are reflected in a revision to the care plan.

* Makes appropriate referrals to other resources for issues not related to grief.

* Provides bereavement counseling in the form of individual counseling, family counseling, group counseling, supportive phone contacts, etc.

* Assists hospice team members with understanding bereavement issues.

* Meets productivity expectations.

Documentation:

* Accurately records and reports pertinent information regarding all clients within 24 hours of contact.

* Communicates appropriate information to team members participating in the plan of care of the bereaved.

* Maintains documentation and files in an organized, clear and accessible manner.

Education/Community Service:

* Participates in the planning, development and implementation of bereavement services.

* Assists with the development of outreach programs to the community.

* Serves as a liaison with counseling agencies used by the Agency.

* Participate in community education by giving presentations on topics related to grief and loss.

* Assists in the linkage between clients and volunteers.

* Assists with special community functions, i.e., Camp Evergreen, Memorial Services, etc.

Additional Functions:

* Committed to Agency resolution against fraud and abuse.

* Knowledgeable in hospice philosophy and state and federal rules and regulations.

* Arrives to work and meetings on time and ready to work.

* Respects confidentiality of patients/families and other Agency employees.

* Attends educational meetings/conferences for professional growth as required.

* Sees change as an opportunity and maintains a level of flexibility, which allows for adaptation to new ways of performing.

* Follows directions and policies that allow for an organizational commitment to working under pressures in time without sacrificing quality.

* Performs other duties that may be assigned.

Job Requirements

Possess the following abilities:

* Speak in ordinary conversational tones utilizing the English/American language.

* Hear ordinary conversations.
* See with the visual acuity necessary to perform the Essential Functions listed in this Job Description.

* Have simultaneous use of hands, wrists, and fingers (example: writing, typing, data entry).

* Maintain a current driver’s license.

Qualifications

* Master’s degree in counseling, social work, or a related field required.
* Indiana licensure as an LSW, LCSW, LMHC, or LMHCA required.
* Previous training/experience in dealing with grief and loss required.

* Good written and oral communication skills.

**Position**: Bereavement Counselor **Department**: Support Services

**Reports** **to**: Manager of Bereavement Services **FLSA** **Status**: Exempt

Position Summary / Main Purpose

Provides support/counseling services to patients/families/significant others in dying, death and grief related issues, as well as interfaces with volunteers to ensure the bereaved needs are being met.

Essential Functions

Bereavement Client Services:

* Assesses bereavement needs of individuals experiencing grief and completes a risk assessment that includes evaluation of coping skills and support systems and then completes an assessment of the bereaved within 31 days of the death of the patient.

* For bereaved individuals who seek counseling, an initial plan of care is developed, and any changes to the goals and interventions are reflected in a revision to the care plan.

* Makes appropriate referrals to other resources for issues not related to grief.

* Provides bereavement counseling in the form of individual counseling, family counseling, group counseling, supportive phone contacts, etc.

* Assists hospice team members with understanding bereavement issues.

* Meets productivity expectations.

Documentation:

* Accurately records and reports pertinent information regarding all clients within 24 hours of contact.

* Communicates appropriate information to team members participating in the plan of care of the bereaved.

* Maintains documentation and files in an organized, clear and accessible manner.

Education/Community Service:

* Participates in the planning, development and implementation of bereavement services.

* Assists with the development of outreach programs to the community.

* Serves as a liaison with counseling agencies used by the Agency.

* Participate in community education by giving presentations on topics related to grief and loss.

* Assists in the linkage between clients and volunteers.

* Assists with special community functions, i.e., Camp Evergreen, Memorial Services, etc.

Additional Functions:

* Committed to Agency resolution against fraud and abuse.

* Knowledgeable in hospice philosophy and state and federal rules and regulations.

* Arrives to work and meetings on time and ready to work.

* Respects confidentiality of patients/families and other Agency employees.

* Attends educational meetings/conferences for professional growth as required.

* Sees change as an opportunity and maintains a level of flexibility, which allows for adaptation to new ways of performing.

* Follows directions and policies that allow for an organizational commitment to working under pressures in time without sacrificing quality.

* Performs other duties that may be assigned.

Job Requirements

Possess the following abilities:

* Speak in ordinary conversational tones utilizing the English/American language.

* Hear ordinary conversations.
* See with the visual acuity necessary to perform the Essential Functions listed in this Job Description.

* Have simultaneous use of hands, wrists, and fingers (example: writing, typing, data entry).

* Maintain a current driver’s license.

Qualifications

* Master’s degree in counseling, social work, or a related field required.
* Indiana licensure as an LSW, LCSW, LMHC, or LMHCA required.
* Previous training/experience in dealing with grief and loss required.

* Good written and oral communication skills.