Family Services Coordinator (Social Worker/Bereavement Counselor)

New England Donor Services•Hartford, CT

6d•$38 - $39

About The Position

The Family Services Coordinator (FSC) provides empathetic support and guidance to families of trauma patients and discusses end-of-life decision options, including organ and tissue donation. The FSC supports hospitals throughout New England in collaborative donation processes, helping ensure potential donor families are offered the opportunity to donate. The role covers the NEDS service area through an on-call schedule and involves responding to new and open hospital referrals, with donation discussions conducted by phone when appropriate. The FSC helps families understand and accept the diagnosis of death as described by the primary care physician, assesses legal next-of-kin readiness to discuss donation when donor designation is absent, advocates for donation while respecting cultural and religious beliefs, and completes required documentation. The coordinator also provides initial follow-up to donor families and participates in meetings and training. This position requires substantial travel throughout New England, using a personal vehicle. The ideal candidate lives within one hour of Hartford, Connecticut. The schedule is 12 on-call shifts per month, generally from 0600 to 2400 (18-hour shifts), with possible on-site work past midnight depending on case activity. During orientation, the schedule is four shifts per month plus didactic training; a week of new-hire orientation in the Waltham office is also required.

Requirements

Ability to work empathetically, compassionately, and professionally with families in crisis and provide education about organ and tissue donation.
Ability to advocate for donation while respecting individual family circumstances and cultural or religious beliefs.
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 it.
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 and ability to travel by personal vehicle for job duties.
Maintain eligible-driver requirements, including being at least 21 years old, maintaining an acceptable Motor Vehicle Record, and meeting NEDS minimum personal automobile insurance requirements.

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, including some weekends and holidays, providing coverage across the NEDS service area.
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 the opportunity for donation.
Advocate for donation while respecting family circumstances and cultural or religious beliefs.
Maintain an individual authorization rate demonstrating best-practice authorization skills.
Complete required documentation regarding donation approach and authorization.
Provide initial follow-up to donor families after donation.
Attend required meetings and trainings when not responding to a case.
Check email at least daily unless on planned benefit time and complete assigned training within defined timelines.
Carry out other duties as deemed appropriate by the Senior Director, Family Services, Manager, Family Services, or designee.