Bereavement Specialist

NVNA and Hospice is the only independent non-profit home health agency serving Boston's South Shore. Founded in 1920, NVNA and Hospice provides the full continuum of care from home health, palliative, and hospice to support patients and families. We support what everyone wants - high quality care at home. Advanced technology helps us to care for complex patients in the comfort of their own home surrounded by family and friends.

Covid Vaccine Requirement: NVNA and Hospice requires vaccination for Covid-19 as a condition of employment.             

The Bereavement Specialist reports to the Hospice Clinical Manager and provides bereavement services for hospice families and bereaved community members within the parameters of Hospice which are reflective of the philosophy, mission and standards established by the NVNA and Hospice.

The Responsibilities:

• Provide counseling and support as needed and desired by bereaved family members of Hospice patients.
• Provide telephone contact with bereaved family members of Hospice patients, to introduce services and offer intervention.
• Facilitate bereavement support groups.
• Accept referrals and provide counseling services to bereaved individuals and families throughout the community.
• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of emotional, social and spiritual needs and responses to death and grief.
• Prepare documentation for the clinical records per Hospice standards.
• Be available to meet client demand.
• Provide home visits to clients as needed and desired.
• Participate in the orientation of volunteers and staff as requested.
• Participates in community education programs as appropriate; maintains current knowledge of bereavement counseling services by attendance at Agency in-services and professional seminars.
• Participates in utilization review and quality assurance activities as requested by the Agency; participates in interdisciplinary team meetings in order to identify patient/client/family issues requiring bereavement counseling.
• Assures Agency compliance with all federal and state laws as well as adhering to the Norwell Visiting Nurse Association, Inc. Corporate Compliance policy
• Performs other duties as requested.

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Counseling or related field

Experience:

• 3 plus years of experience in bereavement counseling
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills required

Skills and Abilities:

-Cognitive ability to observe, analyze and interpret general and technical data  (verbal and written).

-Ability to harmoniously interact with patients, patients’ families, co-workers and management staff

-Client Focus - Must be able to demonstrate a high level of service delivery to all clients (patients,  families and staff members);

-Decision Making & Problem Solving  

-Relationship Management - Must be able to develop rapport with others

-Respect for Diversity -Must be able to adapt behavior; interact with people with different values, cultures, or backgrounds

-Flexibility - Must be able to remain open-minded and change opinions of the basis of new information perform a wide variety of tasks and change focus quickly as demands change; manage transitions effectively

-Teamwork - Must be able to share due credit with co-workers; display enthusiasm and promote a friendly work group environment;

-Flexibility in work schedule and/or assignment to meet time requirements of the position (which will include evening/weekend/holiday/ beeper hours).

-Ability to work independently with minimum supervision.

NVNA and Hospice is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace humans of every background, appearance, race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, and disability status.