Grief Support Counselor

Grand Rapids · Grief Support Services Ada, MI Clinical (Other) Full Time, Days Req \# 6048 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.