Hospice Social Worker / Bereavement Coordinator

Suite Living Senior Care•White Bear Lake, MN

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Suite Living Hospice is seeking a compassionate, experienced, and dedicated Hospice Social Worker & Bereavement Coordinator to join our interdisciplinary hospice team. This is a full-time, dual-role position, with approximately 50% of the role dedicated to Social Work and 50% dedicated to Bereavement Coordination. The Social Worker portion of the role will focus on providing psychosocial assessment, counseling, crisis intervention, resource coordination, and support to hospice patients and their families. As the Bereavement Coordinator, this individual will oversee and support the organization's bereavement program, providing compassionate follow-up and resources to family members and caregivers before and following the death of a loved one. The ideal candidate is comfortable working independently, building meaningful relationships, coordinating services, and collaborating closely with an interdisciplinary hospice team. We are looking for someone who brings clinical expertise, emotional intelligence, organization, and genuine compassion to end-of-life care. This position will serve patients and families throughout a designated South Metro Minneapolis–St. Paul region.

Requirements

Master's degree in Social Work (MSW) from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Current social work licensure in the state of Minnesota, as required.
Minimum of one (1) year of social work experience in a healthcare setting; hospice, palliative care, home health, senior care, or behavioral health experience strongly preferred.
Experience or demonstrated interest in bereavement, grief counseling, end-of-life care, or family support strongly preferred.
Knowledge and understanding of hospice philosophy, end-of-life care, death and dying, grief, loss, and family systems.
Strong clinical assessment, counseling, communication, organization, and documentation skills.
Ability to recognize and respond appropriately to complicated grief, psychosocial distress, crisis situations, and safety concerns.
Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with an interdisciplinary team.
Demonstrated compassion, professionalism, sound clinical judgment, and respect for patient autonomy and dignity.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish trusting relationships with patients, families, caregivers, and community partners.
Current CPR certification.
Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and automobile insurance meeting applicable state and organizational requirements.
Ability and willingness to travel throughout the assigned South Metro Minneapolis–St. Paul service region.

Nice To Haves

hospice, palliative care, home health, senior care, or behavioral health experience
Experience or demonstrated interest in bereavement, grief counseling, end-of-life care, or family support

Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments of hospice patients and their families/caregivers, identifying emotional, social, environmental, financial, and practical needs.
Assess family dynamics, caregiver strengths and limitations, coping abilities, communication patterns, safety concerns, and potential risks related to abuse, neglect, or suicide.
Develop and implement individualized social work interventions based on patient and family needs.
Provide supportive counseling, emotional support, grief support, and crisis intervention to patients and families/caregivers.
Help patients and families navigate the emotional and practical challenges associated with serious illness, dying, and end-of-life care.
Participate in the development, implementation, and ongoing review of each patient's individualized plan of care.
Attend and actively participate in interdisciplinary group (IDG) meetings and collaborate with physicians, nurses, chaplains, aides, and other members of the hospice team.
Educate the interdisciplinary team regarding psychosocial, cultural, emotional, and family dynamics that may affect patient care.
Identify and support culturally appropriate care practices, including communication preferences, family roles, traditions, values, and end-of-life practices.
Educate patients and families regarding advance directives, healthcare decision-making, and other end-of-life planning needs.
Provide information, referrals, and connections to community resources addressing financial, legal, housing, transportation, caregiving, and other practical needs.
Serve as a liaison between patients/families and appropriate community organizations and resources.
Assist patients and families with planning related to funeral arrangements, financial matters, legal considerations, healthcare decisions, and other end-of-life needs.
Maintain timely, accurate, and complete clinical documentation in accordance with hospice and regulatory requirements.
Maintain effective communication and collaborative relationships with hospice personnel and external community resources.
Participate in quality assessment and performance improvement (QAPI) activities.
Assist other members of the interdisciplinary team in understanding significant psychosocial and emotional factors related to illness, dying, loss, and grief.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Clinical Supervisor or Administrator.
Develop, coordinate, and maintain Suite Living Hospice's bereavement program in accordance with hospice requirements and organizational policies.
Provide compassionate bereavement support to family members, caregivers, and loved ones before and following the patient's death.
Complete bereavement assessments and identify individual and family bereavement needs, including risk factors for complicated grief.
Develop individualized bereavement plans based on the needs, preferences, and risk level of each bereaved individual or family.
Provide telephone, written, and/or in-person follow-up to bereaved family members as appropriate.
Provide emotional support, grief education, and resources related to loss, grief, adjustment, and coping.
Identify individuals who may benefit from additional counseling, support groups, mental health services, spiritual care, or community resources and make appropriate referrals.
Coordinate and facilitate bereavement support groups, educational opportunities, memorial activities, and other grief-related services as appropriate.
Maintain a current directory of community bereavement, mental health, counseling, spiritual, and other supportive resources.
Maintain accurate and timely bereavement documentation and records in accordance with organizational and regulatory requirements.
Track bereavement contacts, assessments, interventions, referrals, and outcomes.
Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to identify patients and families who may be at increased risk for complicated grief or other psychosocial concerns.
Educate hospice staff regarding grief, bereavement, cultural considerations, and appropriate approaches to supporting grieving families.
Provide resources and support to families regarding memorialization and meaningful ways to honor their loved one's life.
Participate in quality assessment and performance improvement activities related to the hospice bereavement program.
Assist with the development and ongoing improvement of bereavement policies, procedures, educational materials, and program resources.
Ensure bereavement services are provided in a compassionate, timely, culturally sensitive, and patient/family-centered manner.