Grief Support Counselor

The Grief Support Counselor is responsible for designing, developing and implementing grief support services and educational programs for bereaved individuals including NorthStar Care Community families and community members.

Essential Functions:

• Works collaboratively with patient care staff to provide continuity of care for bereaved families during their transition after the death of the patient.

• Develops and documents bereavement plan of care, reflecting family/caregiver needs and frequency of services and provides all services in accordance with the individualized plan of care.

• Provides interventions, including education and supportive counseling, to the bereaved client related to the grief process.

• Provides emotional support and guidance to the patient/family prior to and after the death via phone calls, virtual platforms or in-person visits.

• Evaluates and assesses family response to grief and loss issues and the risk factors associated.

• Participates in regular Interdisciplinary Group (IDG) meetings.

• Assesses the community need related to grief and loss issues.

• Designs, develops, implements and evaluates community-based grief support programs including support/education groups. Provides grief and loss education presentations for the community at large.

• Provides and facilitates memorial services, in collaboration with patient care teams, for NorthStar Care Community families as well as the community.

• Serves as a role model to staff related to grief and loss issues.

• Communicates complete and accurate information to all team disciplines in a timely manner.

• Works collaboratively with patient care staff to provide continuity of care for bereaved families during their transition after the death of the patient.

• Provides avenues for volunteer support and in collaboration with the Volunteer Services Manager, recruits, trains, supervises, and evaluates grief support services volunteers.

• Maintains bereavement files and other tasks that ensure compliance with organizational policies and procedures.

• Participates in activities that promote personal and professional growth.

• Manages grief support programs and projects within budgetary guidelines

• Maintains one or more trained volunteers to work with grief support during the year.

• Maintains resource materials for the community including NorthStar Care Community families and staff.

• In collaboration with Clinical Operations and the NorthStar Care Community Foundation, assists with the development of funding sources for grief support services as requested.

• Adheres to organizational Code of Conduct, policies, procedures, protocols and processes and all regulatory and legal requirements.

• Adheres the NorthStar standards to care for every person, every time, 100% of the time.

Supervision: Reports to the AVP of Grief Support; close working relationship with Managers of Clinical Operations. No supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree required. Preference will be given to Social Workers with State of Michigan LMSW license. Formal education and experience in guidance and counseling is required; various combinations of education, training and experience may be considered.

• Must demonstrate knowledge of bereavement/spiritual concepts. Must have a minimum of one (1) year grief support work experience within a recognized agency or health care organization.

• Must demonstrate knowledge of behavioral and psychological stages of adults, children and teens, in order to facilitate the grief process with all persons.

• Demonstrated ability to organize and conduct grief support groups.

• Must be able to cope with family/caregiver emotional stress.

• Must be able to respectfully and non-judgmentally support people from varied cultures, ages, beliefs and communities.

• Must be highly motivated and willing to take a creative approach to work and have a desire to be a part of a team.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate in internal and external relationships.

• Must have the ability to use technology (hardware and software) NorthStar requires clinicians to use.

• Must possess sound judgment; effective organizational, communication, prioritization and follow-through skills; attention to detail; accuracy; dependability; tact; and ability to maintain confidential information.

• Proof of tuberculin testing having been performed within one year required. Patient/family contact not allowed until tuberculin clearance is documented.

• The physical demands of the position include: vision, effective speech and hearing for extensive telephone contact; repetitive motion; traveling; driving or riding in motor vehicle; standing, sitting, walking, bending, reaching, and stretching; lifting up to forty five (45) pounds unassisted and the ability to assist in lifting patients using appropriate lifting techniques and/or devices.

• Must have reliable transportation.

• Must be eligible to work in the United States.