General Purpose:

Responsible for planning, implementing and maintaining a bereavement program to meet the needs of bereaved families and/or caregivers for 12 months following the death of the hospice patient.

Essential Functions:

• Primarily responsible for coordinating the assessment of grief following the death of the patient, determining the bereaved’s needs and ensure timely and appropriate services in response.
• May provide bereavement individual or group counseling in response to anticipatory grief or bereavement as qualified, or makes appropriate referrals for such services.
• Primarily responsible for collaboration with the Interdisciplinary Group (IDG) to develop an appropriate bereavement plan of care.
• Regularly attends IDG meetings reviewing active patients, and participates in the development of the IDG plan of care for active patients as indicated.
• Acts as the primary resource for bereavement training of the IDG and other employees.
• Primarily responsible for training and oversight of bereavement volunteers.
• Acts as a primary resource regarding bereavement information to the community served.
• Maintains bereavement services files until the bereaved is discharged or 12 months following the death of the patient whichever occurs first.
• Participates in the Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) program, including the regular evaluation of the bereavement program.
• Participates in program budget preparation as assigned
• Completes other assignments as requested and assigned.
• May have access to personal health information (“PHI”) necessary to fulfill the above duties and responsibilities. Access to use and ability to disclose PHI is further defined by each organization/department.

Minimum Education & Experience Requirements:

• College degree in a discipline which provides theory and experience with: grief response, anticipatory as well as post loss; normal vs. pathological response and appropriate intervention. This may include Masters or Doctoral preparation in social work, psychology, counseling or equivalent theological education.
• One (1) year experience in the past three (3) years in individual, family or group bereavement counseling if such intervention is designated as part of the hospice’s expected scope of responsibilities.
• One (1) year appropriate supervisory or program coordination experience that is relevant to the supervision of bereavement volunteers and the implementation of a multi-faceted bereavement program.
• Able to provide proof of valid driver’s license, if applicable.
• Able to provide proof of auto liability insurance if assignment includes driving own vehicle.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Current knowledge of anticipatory, normal and pathological grief process and response, as well as appropriate types of intervention.
• Knowledge and commitment to the hospice philosophy of care.
• Demonstrates good verbal and written communication, and organization skills.
• Able to work as a member of an interdisciplinary group.
• Able to effectively communicate with clinical and non-clinical employees, patients and family/caregivers.
• Able to perform and prioritize multiple functions or tasks.
• Able to effectively deal with multiple changes.
• Meets applicable federal and state health requirements to provide patient/family care as appropriate.
• Meets the requirements of federal and state criminal and abuse background checks where applicable.

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