Family Services Coordinator (Social Worker/Bereavement Counselor)

New England Donor Services•Hartford, CT

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Family Services Coordinator (FSC) is an empathetic, respectful, and skilled professional who supports New England Donor Services’ mission to save and enhance lives through organ and tissue donation. The FSC works with hospitals throughout the NEDS service area to support collaborative donation processes and ensure that potential donor families are offered the opportunity for donation. The role provides guidance to families of trauma patients and discusses end-of-life decisions, including organ and tissue donation. It includes an on-call schedule covering the service area, significant travel throughout New England, and a required week of new-hire orientation in the Waltham office. The ideal candidate lives within one hour of Hartford, Connecticut. The position has 12 on-call shifts per month, each running from 0600 to 2400 (18 hours). Depending on case dynamics and clinical activity, the Coordinator may need to remain on site beyond midnight. During orientation, the schedule includes approximately four shifts per month plus didactic training. Mileage and other travel reimbursements are available.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in social work, health sciences, or a related field, or significant equivalent experience in another Organ Procurement Organization (OPO).
Ability to work empathetically, compassionately, and professionally with families in crisis; provide education about organ and tissue donation; and advocate for donation while respecting family circumstances.
Ability to develop effective professional relationships and communicate effectively.
Ability to quickly understand an organization’s or situation’s culture and dynamics and work effectively within them.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret donor medical records.
Strong clinical assessment and crisis intervention skills.
Computer skills in Word, Excel, and Outlook, and ability to learn NEDS internal systems, including True North.
Ability to travel by personal vehicle to fulfill job duties.
Valid state driver’s license and eligibility to drive under NEDS requirements, including being at least 21, maintaining an acceptable motor vehicle record, and carrying the required minimum personal automobile insurance.
Availability for 12 on-call shifts per month, including some weekends and holidays; shifts are 18 hours and may occasionally extend past midnight.
Willingness to travel significantly throughout New England; the role requires a week in the Waltham office for new-hire orientation.

Nice To Haves

Experience in hospice care, bereavement counseling, pastoral counseling, crisis intervention, or social work.
Previous hospital experience.
CPE certification.
Social work license.

Responsibilities

Respond to new and open hospital referrals and offer donor families the opportunity for organ and tissue donation, including conducting discussions by phone when appropriate.
Support collaborative donation processes at hospitals throughout the NEDS service area.
Help donor families understand and accept the diagnosis of death as described by the primary care physician.
When there is no donor designation, assess the legal next of kin’s readiness to discuss the opportunity for organ and tissue donation.
Advocate for donation while respecting families’ cultural and religious beliefs and individual circumstances.
Maintain an individual authorization rate demonstrating best-practice skills in obtaining authorization.
Complete required documentation regarding approaches and authorization, including conducting and documenting medical and social histories.
Provide initial follow-up to donor families after donation.
Fulfill the on-call schedule, including some weekends and holidays, and travel as required to meet the position’s duties.
Participate in required meetings and trainings when not responding to a case.
Check email at least daily unless on planned benefit time and complete assigned trainings within defined timelines.
Carry out other appropriate duties as assigned by the Senior Director, Family Services, Manager, Family Services, or designee.