Bereavement Counselor

Center4Hospice; Mishawaka (IN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Center4Hospice is seeking a Bereavement Counselor to provide counseling and support to patients, families, and significant others during death and grieving processes. The role interfaces with volunteers and hospice team members to ensure needs are met, with a focus on timely assessments and coordinated care.

The Counselor conducts individual, family, and group counseling, completes care plans and revisions, and refers clients to additional resources as needed, while maintaining thorough

Qualifications

• Must hold a Master’s degree in counseling, social work, or a related field.
• Indiana licensure as LSW, LCSW, LMHC, or LMHCA required.
• Experience in grief and loss counseling preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provides Bereavement client services including assessment of grief and risk.
• Develops initial plan of care for bereaved clients seeking counseling.
• Makes appropriate referrals for non-grief-related issues.
• Provides Bereavement counseling (individual, family, group, phone support).
• Maintains timely documentation and communicates with the care team.

Skills

Empathy & communication

Interpersonal skills

English proficiency

Active listening

Education

Master’s degree in counseling or social work

Indiana licensure (LSW/LCSW/LMHC/LMHCA)

Job description

Brief Description

Position

Bereavement Counselor — 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.