Bereavement Counselor

Bereavement Counselor

The Bereavement Counselor functions under the direct supervision of the Manager of Social Work, Spiritual Care and Bereavement and/or the Director of Social and Volunteer Services and assists the facilitates all initial and on-going bereavement services. The Bereavement Counselor utilizes clinical assessment, intervention and education to maximize comfort and enhance functioning and coping around issues of grief and loss of all bereaved family/friends of deceased hospice, home health, or palliative care patients as well as community individuals.

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in Social Work (MSW) or Mental Health Counseling from an accredited school/university; may have a Bachelor's degree in social work while pursuing a Master's degree
• Minimum of one year of post-MSW/MHC experience in a hospital, home health, or hospice or equivalent setting
• Must possess strong ethical standards and an appropriate professional demeanor
• Experience in individual, family, and group treatment modalities
• Experience in and a theoretical knowledge of human development, end-of-life care, family systems, and grief and loss
• Able to remain calm and professional and troubleshoot/handle client/family or staff crisis situations
• Must have reliable transportation to perform tasks and responsibilities in a timely and appropriate fashion. Must be able to provide proof of automobile insurance and have a valid Florida driver's license, a copy of which will be placed in their employee file

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Practices social work/counseling in a manner that is a model for professional and agency ethics, values and integrity and that complies with the letter and spirit of legal aspects
• Adheres to the practice of confidentiality regarding clients, patients, families, and GHS staff
• Complies with all applicable laws and regulations with respect to collaborative agreements
• Is empathic and compassionate with a client-centered attitude towards accepting death as a part of life and enhancing the quality of life for all bereaved assigned to his/her care
• Completes bereavement follow-up contacts; conducts bereavement assessments establishing the suitability of individuals for individual counseling and/or group support
• Assists with the development and implementation of a client personalized care plan, which may include counseling, support information and/or referral to GHS and/or other community resources
• Assists in identifying and works with high-risk and/or suicidal clients and refers to outside agency when clinically required
• Completes clinical documentation, bereavement assessments, clinical notes, and secondary reports in a timely manner
• Facilitates support groups and grief related workshops, memorial services, and debriefing sessions around traumatic loss
• Meets or exceeds current productive visit measures as set by agency
• Monitors the effectiveness of each aspect of the Bereavement program, giving regular updates as required/requested
• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and/or weekend as needed or requested
• Create a resource bank of articles, projects, books, and videos for GHS clients and bereaved individuals in the community
• Demonstrates continued professional growth and development through participation in educational and in-service training programs for professional staff
• Addresses and supports all GHS policies and procedures; acts in accordance with company standards as outlined in the GHS Policy Manual (Employee Handbook)
• Promotes the company through participation and support of community partnerships and in professional organizations.
• All other duties/tasks as deemed appropriate for the positions of Bereavement Counselor as requested/delegated or assigned by immediate supervisor or Department Director

EEO Statement:

Gulfside Healthcare Services, Inc. is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity ("EEO") and complies with all federal, state, and local laws that prohibit workplace discrimination and unlawful retaliation.