Family Services Coordinator (Social Worker/Bereavement Counselor)

New England Donor Services•Hartford, CT

1d•$38 - $39

About The Position

The Family Services Coordinator (FSC) is an empathetic, respectful, and skilled professional who supports New England Donor Services’ mission of saving and enhancing lives through organ and tissue donation. The FSC supports collaborative donation processes in hospitals across the NEDS service area, helping ensure that potential donor families are offered the opportunity to donate. The position provides guidance to family members of trauma patients and discusses end-of-life decision options, including organ and tissue donation. FSCs respond to new and open hospital referrals, conduct donation discussions in person or by phone when appropriate, and educate families about the diagnosis of death as described by the primary care physician. When there is no donor designation, the FSC assesses whether the patient’s legal next of kin is ready to discuss donation. The role advocates for donation while respecting cultural and religious beliefs, completes required documentation, and provides initial follow-up to donor families. This position covers the entire NEDS service area through an on-call schedule, with significant travel throughout New England. The schedule consists of 12 on-call shifts per month, from 0600 to 2400 (18 hours); depending on case and clinical activity, the coordinator may need to remain on-site past midnight. Some weekend and holiday coverage is required. During orientation, expect four shifts per month plus didactic training, and one week in the Waltham office for new-hire orientation. Mileage and other reimbursements are available. The ideal candidate lives within one hour of Hartford, Connecticut.

Requirements

Ability to work empathetically, compassionately, and professionally with families in crisis; educate them about organ and tissue donation; and advocate for donation while respecting their circumstances.
Ability to develop effective professional relationships and communicate exceptionally well.
Demonstrated 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.
Ability to conduct and document medical and social histories.
Strong clinical assessment and crisis intervention skills.
Computer skills in Word, Excel, and Outlook, and ability to learn NEDS internal systems, including True North.
Bachelor’s degree in social work, health sciences, or a related field, or significant equivalent experience in another OPO.
Valid state driver’s license.
Ability to travel by personal vehicle and maintain eligible-driver requirements, including being at least 21 years old, maintaining an acceptable Motor Vehicle Record, and carrying the required minimum personal automobile insurance under NEDS policy.

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

Fulfill an on-call schedule providing coverage across the NEDS service area, including some weekends and holidays.
Respond to new and open hospital referrals and offer donor families the opportunity for organ and tissue donation.
Conduct donation discussions by phone when appropriate.
Educate families to help them understand and accept the diagnosis of death as described by the primary care physician.
When donor designation is absent, assess the legal next of kin’s readiness to discuss organ and tissue donation.
Advocate for donation while respecting cultural and religious beliefs and individual family circumstances.
Maintain an individual authorization rate demonstrating best-practice skills in obtaining authorization.
Complete required documentation regarding approaches and authorization.
Provide initial follow-up to donor families after donation.
Participate in required meetings and trainings when not responding to a case.
Check email at least daily unless on planned benefit time.
Complete assigned trainings within defined timelines.
Carry out other duties as assigned by the Senior Director, Family Services, Manager, Family Services, or designee.