BEREAVEMENT COORDINATOR

St. Bernards Healthcare; Jonesboro (AR); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Bernards Healthcare is seeking a Bereavement Coordinator to lead the hospice bereavement program for families and community members.

You will provide grief support, education, resources, referrals, and follow-up services in alignment with hospice philosophy and regulatory standards, collaborating with the interdisciplinary team to tailor plans and improve healthy grief adjustment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a human services or related field required.
• Equivalent education and training may be considered when permitted by regulations.
• Minimum two years of grief/bereavement or related experience.
• Experience with death, terminal illness, or life transitions.
• MSW or related master’s degree preferred; bereavement training preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop, coordinate, implement, and evaluate the hospice bereavement program.
• Provide grief support, education, resources, referrals, and follow-up services.
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary hospice team to identify bereavement needs.
• Create individualized bereavement plans and support healthy grief adjustment.

Education

Bachelor's degree

MSW preferred

Tools

MS Office

EMR documentation

Job description

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Psychiatric Nursing, Pastoral Care, Behavioral Health, or another related human services or behavioral health field.
• Equivalent combination of education and training may be considered when permitted by applicable state regulations.

Preferred:

• Master's degree in Social Work (MSW), Counseling, Psychology, Divinity, Pastoral Care, or related behavioral health discipline.
• Specialized education in grief support, hospice care, palliative care, trauma-informed care, or bereavement services.
• Formal coursework or certification in thanatology, trauma-informed care, or clinical supervision

Experience

Required:

• Minimum two (2) years of professional experience providing grief support, bereavement services, behavioral health, hospice, palliative care, social work, pastoral care, or related human services.
• Experience working with individuals and families experiencing death, terminal illness, or significant life transitions.
• Experience facilitating support groups or providing individual counseling.

Preferred:

• Hospice or palliative care experience.
• Experience coordinating bereavement programs.
• Experience developing educational resources.
• Experience collaborating within an interdisciplinary healthcare team.

Knowledge/ Skills

Required:

• Knowledge of grief theory and bereavement practices.
• Knowledge of hospice philosophy and end-of-life care.
• Strong grief support, active listening, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Crisis intervention and emotional support techniques.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to establish therapeutic relationships with patients and families.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining confidentiality.
• Knowledge of HIPAA privacy standards.
• Computer proficiency including Microsoft Office and Electronic Medical Record (EMR) documentation.
• Valid Arkansas Driver's License.
• Current automobile insurance.
• Reliable transportation or access to dependable public transportation.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of CMS Hospice Conditions of Participation.
• Knowledge of Joint Commission hospice standards.
• Experience with volunteer coordination.
• Experience conducting community education or outreach.
• Bilingual communication skills.
• Continuing Education: Completion of continuing education in bereavement, grief support, hospice and palliative care, or related topics consistent with organizational and regulatory requirements.

Physical

This is a safety sensitive position. Please see the St. Bernards Substance Abuse Policy for further information.

Normal hospital environment. Close eye work. Hearing within normal range.

JOB SUMMARY

The Bereavement Coordinator is responsible for developing, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating the hospice bereavement program for families, caregivers, and community members experiencing grief associated with end-of-life care. This position provides grief support, education, resources, referrals, and bereavement follow up services in accordance with hospice philosophy, CMS Hospice Conditions of Participation, Joint Commission standards, and organizational policies. The Bereavement Coordinator collaborates with the interdisciplinary hospice team to identify bereavement needs, develop individualized bereavement plans, and support healthy grief adjustment before and after the death of hospice patients through bereavement services, education, and community outreach.