Bereavement Counselor at Villa Marie Claire

Job Title: Bereavement Counselor

Department: Post Acute Services

Position Summary:

The Bereavement Counselor is responsible for developing and overseeing psychosocial therapy programs aimed at supporting
families grieving the loss of a loved one. The role will require the ability to assess, evaluate, document and develop a Bereavement Plan Of Care, as well as collaborate with the Hospice Social Workers and Psychologists to ensure the families psychosocial needs are met. The services to be provided by the Bereavement Counselor include, but are not limited to, spiritual and emotional support to terminally ill patients and their families, as well as grief support to the family before and after the death of the patient. The Bereavement Counselor will be expected to have the ability to work with people of various denominations, beliefs, backgrounds, religious faiths and cultures. The Bereavement Counselor is encouraged to develop new bereavement related programs, such as programs for adolescent populations, as well as seek external partnerships with organizations that can assist in the manner in which we provide Bereavement Counseling to the populations in need.

Requirements:

Education: Master’s Degree in Social Work or Counseling. Grief Certificate
preferred.
Skills: Strong assessment and documentation skills for emotional,
psychosocial, bereavement & grief required. The job requires extensive
standing, walking, and stair climbing, at VMC facility as well as making home
visits in various areas may be required for family members when leaving the
home is difficult.
Experience: 2 years of experience in a health care setting with end of life care
including counseling patients and/or family members involved in terminal care, grief,
and bereavement.
Certification/License: LSW in the state of New Jersey, LCSW preferred. Grief Certification preferred. Must have proof of valid driver’s license.

Essential Functions of the Job:

• Carries out the bereavement education goals of the Holy Name Hospice
  department in accordance with the Medicare guidelines and the Hospice Conditions of Participation.
• Ability to assess emotional, psychosocial, bereavement and grief needs of
  family members.
• Facilitates bereavement and grief support to caregivers and families in
  need before and after patient deaths.
• Assesses for potential bereavement risk of a patient and/or family and
  documents the appropriate plan of care.
• Provide individual grief counseling to family members in need.
• Ability to provide home visits to family members for grief support as
  needed.
• Assists in identifying coping strategies and acceptance of loss for
  individuals and families in need.
• Participates in Interdisciplinary Team Meetings, and creates a treatment
  plan to enhance the continuity of care.

Education

• Bachelors or better in Social Work