Hospice Counselor

Description
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.