Hospice Spiritual Care Counselor, Bereavement Coordinator

Baystate Health•Springfield, MA

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

Baystate Health, a nationally recognized leader in healthcare quality and safety, and home to Baystate Hospice is looking for a Spiritual Care Counselor/Bereavement Coordinator to join the team! Summary: This position provides spiritual and bereavement support to patients, caregivers, and community. This team member serves as an active member of the interdisciplinary team to develop the plan of care and serves as a liaison between community affiliations and the hospice program. Responsibilities include the planning, implementation, maintenance and provision of services necessary to patients, identified caregivers, hospice staff, and the community at large. Hospice bereavement services extend from the time of the patient's admission to hospice services until thirteen months after the death of the patient.

Requirements

Familiarity with various religious traditions and spiritual practices to provide culturally sensitive care.
Demonstrate genuine care and understanding towards individuals facing challenging situations.
Ability to provide a non-judgmental approach and sensitivity to individual differences, cultural perspectives and faith traditions.
Ability to actively listen and understand individuals' spiritual and bereavement experiences and concerns.
Knowledge of computer information systems, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher and the ability to work independently
Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
Proficient time management skills.
Demonstrate competence in organizing and presenting educational programs.
Adhere to professional, ethical guidelines regarding confidentiality and boundaries at all times.
Five years of comparable experience in spiritual care.
Bachelors Degree

Nice To Haves

Documented evidence of training and experience in grief therapy and bereavement counseling preferred.
Recent (within the past 5 years) experience in acute, long-term care or home care/hospice preferred.
Understanding of physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs of terminally ill patients and caregivers.

Responsibilities

Participate as an active member of Interdisciplinary Team Meeting to develop and implement a comprehensive plan of care.
Initiate contact with patients and caregivers to offer spiritual support services and provide patient and caregiver spiritual counseling, prayer, ministry, and supportive presence as requested.
Develop bereavement plan of care and update, as appropriate, and in accordance with federal and state regulations.
Provide spiritual and/or bereavement counseling services to patients and caregivers and condolence/support calls to the bereaved caregiver(s).
Create a bereavement newsletter and oversee the printing and mailing of the newsletter.
Provide support to bereavement volunteers; assist with bereavement volunteer training and meetings.
Assist with the coordination of bereavement support groups.
Provide oversight, preparation, implementation, and participation in hospice memorial service(s) in accordance with agency standard.
Conduct individual and group counseling sessions with patients and/or caregivers to provide grief and/or spiritual support and assistance.
Develop, promote, coordinate and present educational in-services and programs regarding spiritual aspects of end of life / patient care and/or bereavement and grief-related programming for staff, patients, caregivers, and community.
Demonstrate and maintain current knowledge and skill in providing appropriate intervention and support for patients/caregivers in all age groups: geriatrics, adults, adolescents and pediatrics.
Communicate clearly and effectively, fostering a positive, proactive environment. Inspires cooperation and achievement by treating others in a respectful professional manner. Adheres to high standards of ethics and quality.
Maintain documentation and pertinent information regarding patient/caregiver in the patient's record in a timely manner and in accordance with regulatory and licensure requirements. Responsible for maintenance of electronic medical records, assuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with regulations, licensure, legal and ethical standards.
Attend orientation, in-service, staff and any other departmental, agency or system-wide programs/meetings as requested.
Provide a non-judgmental approach and sensitivity to individual differences, cultural perspectives and faith traditions and beliefs.
Other duties as assigned.