Spiritual Bereavement Counselor (South)

A. BASIC PURPOSE
The Spiritual/Bereavement Counselor is a professional position responsible for the provision of both spiritual and bereavement counseling. The provision of non-denominational spiritual care services to patients, families, and/or caregivers, is done either directly or through coordination of care with other spiritual counselors that may include community clergy. Bereavement services are provided to the bereaved family members and significant others prior to and following the death of a hospice patient. The role of bereavement counselor is to help family members and significant others cope with grief and loss issues related to death. For a minimum period of thirteen (13) months following the death of a hospice patient, the Spiritual/Bereavement Counselor coordinates, implements and documents the provision of the Bereavement Plan of Care related to the bereavement needs of families/significant others, which include (but are not limited to) cards and letters, support groups, individual and group counseling, memorial services and other assistance.
B. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Spiritual Counseling
1. Provide comprehensive assessment of spiritual needs of hospice patients, families and/or caregivers within five (5) days of patient’s election to the hospice benefit or according to patient/family wishes on the Spiritual Care Assessment form.
2. Provide consultation and support to patients, families, caregivers and team members in a non-denominational manner or as requested by patients/families/caregivers and document according to agency policies and procedures.
3. Contact patient/family’s preferred spiritual advisor/clergy to ensure ongoing involvement and to invite participation in interdisciplinary care planning when requested by team member or patient/family member.
4. Contact clergy or spiritual counselors to assist in spiritual care of patients and family members as requested.
5. Develop and document plan for spiritual care, in conjunction with the interdisciplinary team.
6. Participate in interdisciplinary team meeting and evaluate and revise plan for spiritual care of patients/families/caregivers with the interdisciplinary team on an ongoing basis.
7. Provide spiritual care counseling services to patients/families and significant others and document the services according to agency clinical record guidelines.
8. Maintain records of spiritual care services utilization and related activities for quality assurance, program development and policy and procedure review and revision.
9. Maintain working list of local community chaplains and spiritual counselors.
10. Provide consultation, education and support to the interdisciplinary team on spiritual care.
11. Establish networks with faith communities throughout the service area for the purposes of teaching about the hospice philosophy and enlisting aid in providing spiritual support and attend area ministerial meetings as appropriate and possible.
12. Provide for funeral planning, as well as funeral and/or memorial services for patients as requested.
13. Conduct memorial services for the agency as requested by Executive Director or Director of Clinical Services.
14. Assist in supervision of spiritual/bereavement care volunteers when assigned to patients/families.

Bereavement Counseling
1. Develops bereavement plan of care based on risk assessment, and revises, assesses, and updates on an ongoing basis, the bereavement needs and coping abilities of bereaved clients.
2. Provide bereavement counseling as appropriate.
3. Oversees the mailings that are sent to all bereaved clients in program.
4. Coordinates the delivery of grief counseling services (one-on-one, group therapy and follow-up) to ensure services are timely and appropriate through clinical oversight of volunteers assisting in providing the services to clients.
5. Documents and tracks bereavement activities.
6. Provide high quality family care, which extends to children and close personal friends of the patient.
7. Develop, conduct and document bereavement training programs and continuing education for volunteers by working with the Social Worker/Coordinator of Volunteers.
A. Works with the Social Worker/Coordinator of Volunteers to see that the appropriate volunteers are assigned to bereaved family members/significant others.
B. Evaluates the effectiveness of the volunteers assigned and keeps the Social Worker/Coordinator of Volunteers informed of their performance and any concerns or issues.
C. Reviews volunteer bereavement clinical record documentation.
8. Plans, develops and leads bereavement support groups for bereaved family members/significant others and staff members.
9. Locates and utilizes resources (books, brochures, references, community groups, etc.) to help individuals deal with their issues of grief and loss.
10. Works with Social Worker/Coordinator of Volunteers to organize and conduct the agency memorial service on, at least, an annual basis for bereaved family members/significant others and staff members.
11. Identifies special needs groups (e.g. children, young widows, nursing facility groups, etc.) and tailors bereavement activities and programs to meet their needs.
12. Recognizes complicated grief and/or coexisting psychiatric conditions that pose a threat to the health or safety of individuals and initiates referrals for intense psychotherapy and/or chemical dependence treatment programs when necessary.
Resource Utilization
1. Coordinates travel time for visits and manages a caseload to deliver care in a cost-effective manner that demonstrates an understanding of hospice reimbursement methodologies.
2. Assure proper maintenance of records per agency guidelines.
3. Participates in evening/weekend on-call as required, conducting on-call services in a clinically competent and responsive manner.
4. Maintains regular attendance
5. Functions independently, but seeks and accepts guidance from other members of the interdisciplinary team and members of the community, as deemed necessary and appropriate.
6. Complies with local, state and federal laws, Medicare Hospice Conditions of Participation and Agency policies and procedures.
7. Conducts all business activities in a professional and ethical manner.

Customer Service
1. Demonstrates the highest degree of customer awareness by seeking out opportunities to identify and meet the needs of internal and external customers.
2. Treats each person as an individual with respect and dignity.
3. Is receptive to questions and criticism, and willing to offer assistance.
4. Demonstrates genuine concern and empathy.
5. Consistently performs all of the above in a friendly, courteous manner.
6. Maintains accountability for patient satisfaction throughout the episode of care.
Quality Assurance/Performance Improvement (QAPI)
1. Participates in the QAPI process by finding opportunities for continuous monitoring and identification of patient outcomes, intra/interdepartmental and environmental concerns.
2. Displays a willingness to utilize problem solving techniques to insure appropriate interventions and resolutions.
3. Participates in clinical record review.
4. Assists and serves on committees and projects as requested.
Secondary Duties
1. Participates in staff meetings, department meetings, hospice interdisciplinary team meetings, in-services, committees and other related activities as required.
2. Provides educational and informational presentations to community groups, referral sources, volunteers and others in order to promote the agency’s program of care and the multiple services offered.
3. Completes a minimum of twelve (12) hours of inservices per year.
4. Demonstrates the ability to work well as a team and with team members.
5. Performs other duties as assigned.

C. HUMAN RELATIONS
1. Must adhere to all policies, procedures, terms and conditions set forth in the Employee Manual as well as any facility handbook including but not limited to corporate compliance, drug free workplace, safe work practices, all federal, state, local regulations and laws.
2. Must maintain a professional attitude and demeanor and is be able to communicate effectively and relate courteously and cooperatively with patients, caregivers, colleagues, supervisors, co-workers and all others.
3. Must be able to demonstrate optimism, enthusiasm and willingness to work constructively with other health care team members and reflect concern for the well being of patients and employees.
4. Interacts with all staff in a positive and motivational fashion supporting the mission and vision of the organization.

D. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
1. Visual/hearing ability must be sufficient to comprehend written/verbal communication.
2. Excellent verbal communication skills are needed.
3. Able to effectively manage stress.
4. Manual dexterity sufficient for writing, keyboarding and telephone operation.
5. Able to work in a variety of settings and conditions in patient’s homes and facilities.

E. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
1. Education:
a. Ordained/licensed or commissioned by appropriate religious body.
b. Degree in divinity, theology, psychology, sociology or social work required.
c. Education in grief or loss counseling required.
2. Experience:
a. Experience in family therapy/counseling with issues of grief, loss, death and dying and programs development related to support and education required.
b. Minimum of 2 years experience in home health or hospice preferred.
c. Must demonstrate the ability to be able to work within a multidisciplinary team setting.
d. Understanding of Hospice philosophy and needs of terminally ill.
3. Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification:
A. Must be a licensed driver with an automobile in good working condition and have automobile insurance in accordance with Ohio laws.
B. Satisfactory references from employers and/or professional peers.
C. Satisfactory criminal background and national sex offender checks.
Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties or responsibilities to this job at any time.
The physical demands described on the attached sheet are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.