Grief Counselor - Washington, DC

Capital Caring Health; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 56,414 - 81,236; Full time

Job summary

A mission-driven health organization in Washington, DC seeks a Grief Counselor to provide short-term counseling for individuals and families dealing with grief. The role involves developing a Bereavement Plan of Care, conducting community interventions, and providing grief education. Candidates should have at least 3 years of clinical experience and a Master's degree in a relevant field. This full-time position includes competitive compensation and opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years of clinical counseling experience related to grief and loss.
• Experience in multi-disciplinary settings with short-term grief counseling.

Responsibilities

• Provide short-term counseling for individuals, children, and families coping with grief.
• Develop the Bereavement Plan of Care based on assessments.
• Conduct community-based grief interventions.

Skills

Superlative oral and written communication skills

Crisis intervention

Strong work ethic

Attention to detail

Skills in clinical assessment

Education

Master’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Thanatology or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Grief Counselor - Washington, DC at Capital Caring Health

It’s inspiring to work with a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they’re doing! When you become part of the Chapters Health Team, you’ll realize it’s more than a job. It’s a mission. We’re committed to providing outstanding patient care and a high level of customer service in our communities every day. Our employees make all the difference in our success!

The Grief Counselor provides short‑term counseling support to individuals, children, and families who are coping with grief and loss issues due to a death. This may include anticipatory grief support. Services are available to hospice families as well as the larger community.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Align professional practice with Capital Caring Health’s mission to provide patients and their families with advanced illness care of the highest quality and in accordance with the core values of patients and families first, always do the right thing, and respect everyone.
• Develop the Bereavement Plan of Care based upon the IDT assessment after the time of patient death, and includes the following:
• Assess family/caregiver grief and loss issues related to death of patient.
• Offer short‑term individual/family counseling, and access to support groups and workshops.
• Offer phone calls, condolence cards, grief literature, and special programs to meet the needs of the grieving population.
• Provide grief interventions tailored to meet the needs of the client, factoring in age and any other factors which impact services.
• Assess the impact of social, spiritual, and cultural issues on the grief reaction.
• Complete community‑based referrals as indicated.
• Assess for complicated grief reactions.
• Provide community based short‑term individual/family grief counseling due to issues related to death, as requested.
• Participate in the provision of education, support, and supervision to CCH intern programs.
• Actively seek to provide grief support/education to residents and staff of area partner facilities (ALF/SNF/INF and ICF/IMR).
• Develop and facilitate grief support groups, workshops and special programs to meet the needs of and within assigned regional area. Collaborate these activities with staff in other regions as well as IDT.
• Complete all Family Service On‑Call shift requirements in accordance with their regional expectations.

Organizational / Regulatory Compliance

• Participate in all QUAPI and organizationally sponsored in‑service trainings and webinars.
• Provide Bereavement orientation and training of new staff, volunteers, and interns.
• Maintain clinical records of clients served within electronic medical record and in accordance with CHAP/organizational compliance standards.
• Effectively utilize organizational documentation and tracking tools for data collection.

People / Communications

• Communicate effectively through both oral and written communications across settings.
• Protect client rights to confidentiality in accordance with Capital Caring Health and HIPAA policies and regulations.
• Maintain a person‑centered, non‑judgmental approach to service provision while treating everyone with dignity and respect.
• Maintain professional boundaries with all workplace interactions.
• Convey warmth, compassion, and empathy in promoting patient right to self‑determination while being mindful of individual differences which includes cultural, spiritual, ethnic, and gender diversity.
• Respond promptly to requests for grief education for the larger community and for individuals seeking services.
• Participate in offering staff grief support related to their Hospice work.

Financial Stewardship

• Achieve expected productivity standard as defined by the organization and in alignment with best practices.

Supervisory Responsibilities

The Grief Counselor will only perform supervisory duties when recommended and educated to do so by organizational leadership.

Experience Requirements

At least 3 years of clinical counseling experience in the areas of death/dying grief, loss and survivorship. Related clinical experience in varied multi‑disciplinary settings and with short‑term grief counseling with individuals, couples, children, families, and groups.

Education Requirements

At least a Master’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Thanatology, Expressive Arts, Mental Health Counseling or Pastoral Counseling.

Required Certificates and/or Licenses

License eligible or Board Certified based upon degree and according to jurisdiction of practice.

Overall Skills

Superlative oral and written communication skills, ability to organize and manage projects within defined timeframe and budget. Work independently or as part of a team. Excellent interpersonal and collaborative skills. Organizational skills with the ability to delegate and follow up. Manage multiple tasks and stressful situations with a positive attitude. Strong work ethic and attention to detail. Skills in clinical assessment, crisis intervention and counseling. Knowledge of grief theories, relationship and family systems, and trauma‑informed therapies. Advocates for clients with regard to communication with external support services. Conducts effective community education that enhances understanding of the unique needs of the bereaved.

Physical/Mental/Emotional Skills

Exceptional leadership skills, conceptual thinking, peer motivation, problem solving, initiative, follow‑up and follow‑through. Work in a fast paced environment utilizing tact, patience, and diplomacy. Resolve conflict and be comfortable with conflict resolution and management. Facilitate the development of trusting relationships and partnerships. Maintain a positive public image for Capital Caring. Communicate respectfully, openly, honestly and directly. Push and pull heavy objects. Display a full range of body motion. Serve as coach, mentor and a positive role model. Drive extensively and navigate to new client locations on a tight schedule, sometimes in heavy traffic.

Technological Skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Office and internet browsers. Effectively navigates client health information systems.

Reasoning Ability

Apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form and deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Physical Demands

Employee is regularly required to sit, talk or hear. Occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; taste or smell; push, pull. Requires close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Manages work‑related stress and maintains consistent customer service focus skills.

Work Environment

Office environment and community/home setting. Uses computers, printers, copy/fax machines, and telephones. Noise level usually light to moderate. Temperature‑controlled building. Drives to alternate work locations to meet with clients, attend organizational sponsored meetings and training opportunities, and provide community education.

Compensation Pay Range

$56,414.18 – $81,236.56

Drug Testing and Background Screening

This position requires consent to drug and/or alcohol testing after a conditional offer of employment is made, as well as ongoing compliance with the Drug‑Free Workplace Policy. All Chapters Health System employees performing services for Florida affiliates are submitted through the Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse to verify eligibility after a conditional offer of employment and ongoing eligibility. For more information, please visit https://info.flclearinghouse.com/.

Job Details

• Seniority Level: Mid‑Senior level
• Employment Type: Full‑time
• Job Function: Health Care Provider
• Industries: Hospitals and Health Care, Non‑profit Organizations, and Mental Health Care