What are the responsibilities and job description for the Grief Support Counselor position at Centrica Care Navigators?
Job Description
Job Description
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
1. Graduate of a master’s program in Social Work, Psychology, or related field preferred. One-year experience in a related health care setting preferred.
2. Maintains appropriate licensure as required by the State of Michigan.
3. Understanding of grief response and experience with counseling individuals and / or groups of all ages regarding loss.
4. Presents a negative TB skin test and / or chest X-ray and other tests as required by Centrica Care Navigators.
5. Maintains a valid Michigan driver’s license and has the availability of a reliable, licensed, and insured vehicle for use on the job. Vehicle must be insured in accordance with the State of Michigan.
6. Remains up to date on all routine immunizations required by LARA and agency policy.
SUMMARY OF JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
The Grief Support Counselor is responsible for the provision of grief support services to meet the needs of families / caregivers from Centrica Care Navigators for 13 months following the death of the individual Hospice patient, when the families / caregivers elect to receive grief support services. In addition, they lead support groups / workshops which are be provided to families / caregivers of Centrica Care Navigators’ patients as well as community members including children, teens, and their caregivers, who have experienced a death. The Grief Support Counselor also provides support and education to community agencies including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, social service agencies, and schools.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
Primary Duties
- Assesses the grief support status of families / caregivers for those persons who elect to receive either individual / family counseling or support from a grief support volunteer or chaplain. Utilizes the Bereavement Assessment and Social Work Bereavement Assessment to assist in understanding the situation prior to the bereavement phase of care. Meets with bereaved patients identified as requiring early intervention prior to the mandated contact at one month after the death.
2. Develops the Grief Support Plan of Care based on information provided in the Bereavement Assessment and contacts made with the patient. Updates the Plan when changes in the bereaved are noted.
3. Provides interventions, including education and counseling, to the bereaved related to the grief process. Evaluates bereaved for normal versus complicated grieving and constructs Plan of Care and schedule for visits based on level of grief.
4. For bereaved patients who are experiencing complicated grief or who have long-term issues that would benefit from more intensive treatment, the Grief Support Counselor makes referrals to appropriate community resources.
5. Documents grief support services for all assigned bereavement patients on the patient's clinical record.
6. May be requested to meet with the patient / family / caregiver prior to the patient's death in those situations where this would be appropriate.
7. Serves as a member of the Grief Support Team and assists Hospice personnel in understanding the grief process.
8. Facilitates support groups and workshops which may include Journeys on topics associated with the grief process. Group members include both Hospice families and persons in the community who have experienced a death, including children and teens.
9. Develops implements, coordinates, evaluates, and revises programs or curriculum, including educational groups, support groups, and workshops to meet the needs of Hospice families and community members.
10. Ensures school curriculums meet the needs of students dealing with loss due to serious illness, death, divorce, imprisonment, abandonment, and other parental issues, which may be in the form of facilitating Grief 101.
11. Represents agency throughout the community to build awareness of grief and loss program services as well as expand educational knowledge base of community (may include healthcare facilities, churches, etc.).
12. Assists with evaluation and screening of individuals and / or families to provide appropriate level of service, even if those services must be offered outside the agency.
