Bereavement Services Specialist

Hospice of San Joaquin  is the oldest not-for-profit hospice of 40 years. We serve all of San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties.  We are committed to continue to be the leader in ensuring quality of the journey, from serious illness through end of life and to honor our mission by honoring life by ensuring patients and their Caregivers are the focus of everything we do. We are seeking a Dynamic, self-motivated Bereavement Services Specialist, who thrives in a fast-paced environment and to support our mission.  This is a Full-Time position reporting to the Bereavement Manager.

 

JOB SUMMARY: Provides grief support and counsel to families of hospice patients, as well as to the community at large.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Supportive Adult Bereavement Support Services – Provides supportive bereavement counseling and/or appropriate referrals to meet client’s bereavement needs.

 

Provides ongoing bereavement support via phone, mail, or in person with hospice families after death of a patient for up to a year.

Assesses and provides support for community clients at the time of referral and develops a plan for internal or off-site support.

Provides goal-directed grief support and/or appropriate referrals to bereaved clients.

Facilitates off-site community-based grief support, as assigned.

Ensures the patient’s/familys rights to confidentiality in all communications and follows generally accepted ethical

Documents all services rendered per Hospice of San Joaquin policies and procedures.

Consult with Bereavement Manager when complicated bereavement is suspected.

Other duties as assigned.

 

Children’s Bereavement Support Services

In collaboration with the IDT, manages the bereavement plan of care for bereaved children of hospice families and/or community members.

Oversees the day-to-day functions of the children’s bereavement program, including but not limited to Kids Korner, Tweens, and Teen to Teen programs.

Manages and develops the curriculum for children’s programs in coordination with Bereavement Manager.

Coordinates and plans all aspects of grief day camp for children and/or teens “camp Caterpillar” including but not limited to volunteer recruitment/support/training, monthly planning meetings, curriculum development, and publicity.  Collaborates with appropriate hospice staff as needed, such as Volunteer Manager, Multi-Media Manager, and Director of Development and Marketing.

Maintains supply of “Butterfly bags” pre-bereavement kits and distributes to Social Workers, Chaplains, and or nursing staff as requested.

Provides outreach and communication with schools and other community service organizations about children’s programs.

Consult with the Bereavement Manager when complicated bereavement is suspected.

 

INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM COLLABORATION AND COMMUNICATION:  Stays apprised of ongoing family dynamics before the death of a patient and assists members of the IDT to understand issues of grief and loss.  Ensures continuity of bereavement services.

 

Review MSW’s pre-bereavement assessment and social work notes; discuss any concerns with the social worker.

Attends bereavement team meetings and actively participates in discussions related to patient/family care and grief and bereavement issues.

Documents interdisciplinary team meeting notes in the patient’s record as appropriate.

Contributes to annual volunteer evaluation for individuals with whom the Bereavement Services Specialist has been in contact.

 

EDUCATION: 

Enhances community awareness of bereavement services and ensures that members of the IDT understand issues of grief and loss.

Assists with training and in-services for new volunteer classes as assigned.

 

PROFESSIONAL GROWTH:

Enhances professional knowledge, and attains job satisfaction, personal growth, and a sense of well-being by actively participating in a variety of professional educational activities.

Identifies personal education needs, seeks formal programs, participates in professional educational activities, and seeks other avenues (i.e. reading articles/books, etc.) to meet these needs.

Participates in the evaluation of own performance by identifying strengths and weaknesses and by developing a plan to improve areas of weakness.

 

SPECIAL EVENTS:

Assists with coordination of special events as assigned (for example:  annual Memorial Service).

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES:

Processes patient deaths daily including updating medical record plan of care, reviewing assessments, and gathering patient caregiver demographic information.

Collaborates with the Development Department to assist with large bereavement-related mailings.

Prepares materials needed for volunteer duties as assigned and in coordination with Volunteer Manager.

MISCELLANEOUS:

Always maintain HIPPA compliance

Maintain professional appearance of self and work area; exhibit appropriate behavior with customers/participants and staff.

Additional duties as assigned by the Bereavement Manager and/or Director of Development and Marketing.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Qualifications

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

A BA/BS degree in a Human Services field is required.

Knowledge and understanding of individual, child, and family development, human behavior, communication, and the influence of culture and values in bereavement support.

Knowledge of group process and peer counseling.

A skill and ability to organize and prioritize activities.

Computer skills

Fluency in Spanish preferred

Certification of Thanatology or Grief and Loss preferred.

 

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

TB Screening

 Background Check

3.  Reference Check

4.  Pre-employment Physical and Drug Screening

5.  Copy of a valid drivers license

6.  Copy of a valid auto insurance card

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

Vehicle – Ability, and willingness to drive your own vehicle, have a valid California driver’s license, and have automobile insurance, which meets State standards. This is necessary to be covered by the agency’s non-owned auto policy.

Some evenings and weekends are required.

Able to sit for long periods.

Able to maneuver throughout the community.

Visual/hearing ability sufficient to comprehend written/verbal communication.

Manual dexterity for computers, filing, and telephones.

Ability to carry and move training items and materials for workshops and support groups.

We offer a great benefit package to our staff such as:

Competitive hospice industry compensation

Benefits package with multiple plan offerings and generous employer contribution

401(k) Retirement plan with employer match

AFLAC insurance plans

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Fitness Center membership discount

Employee Assistance Programs (ESP)

Supportive work culture which encourages work life balance

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Monthly mileage reimbursement

Employee Referral Program

If you are interested in being part of a dynamic team and to help us continue to be the leader in ensuring quality of the journey, from serious illness through end of life and to honor our mission by honoring life by ensuring patients and their Caregivers are the focus of everything we do, we encourage you to apply.  To learn more about Hospice of San Joaquin, please visit our website at:  www.hospiceofsanjoaquin.org