Volunteer Bereavement/Spiritual Coordinator, 24hrs, Days

UMass Memorial Health•Leominster, MA

20d•$53,373 - $96,096•Onsite

About The Position

Everyone Is a Caregiver At UMass Memorial Health, everyone is a caregiver – regardless of their title or responsibilities. Exceptional patient care, academic excellence and leading-edge research make UMass Memorial the premier health system of Central Massachusetts, and a place where we can help you build the career you deserve. We are more than 20,000 employees, working together as one health system in a relentless pursuit of healing for our patients, community and each other. And everyone, in their own unique way, plays an important part, every day. This job has three primary areas of responsibilities which include the following: A. Bereavement program coordination: Responsible for the provision of bereavement support to patients, family members, staff, volunteers and members of the community. As a member of the hospice interdisciplinary team, the BC conducts initial bereavement assessments in conjunction with other team members and regularly re-assesses a patient and families’ bereavement risk. B. Volunteer program coordination: Responsible for all aspects of the hospice volunteer program. C. Spiritual Counselor - Respond to referrals pertaining to the interfaith spiritual needs of hospice patients, their families and caregivers, and hospice staff. The Spiritual Counselor works as a member of the hospice interdisciplinary team and may participate in weekly interdisciplinary team meetings and visit hospice patients in their home. The Spiritual Counselor may make referrals to area clergy for sacramental or specific faith practices. Interdisciplinary collaboration, ability to deal calmly in stressful situations, excellent listening skills and clear professional boundaries are essential.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in counseling, psychology, nursing, social work, family studies, mental health discipline.
Valid and unrestricted driver’s license recognized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and access to a reliable, insured, and safety inspected vehicle.
Must have strong written and oral communication skills, as well as good computer skills.
Must be a team player and work well in a supportive, goal oriented, enthusiastic, high-energy department.
Must have a positive attitude and enthusiasm.
Must possess meeting, event and volunteer management experience.
Must have the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and remain calm and cheerful while under pressure.
Must be an excellent communicator with exceptional people skills, persistence and follow-up skills.

Nice To Haves

Theology, pastoral ministry or related field.
Minimum of 1-2 Units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE).
Experience in a community hospital or home health and hospice is recommended.
Understanding of grief response and prior experience supporting individuals and/ or groups of people who are experiencing loss.
Two years of previous experience delivering pastoral care in a clinical environment.
Experience in bereavement.

Responsibilities

Plans, develops, coordinates and evaluates a comprehensive hospice bereavement program.
Participates in the interdisciplinary team meeting to evaluate the need for bereavement support.
Collaborates with other members of the hospice team to facilitate support groups and memorial services for staff, volunteers, families, and other community members.
Provides home visits to the patient/family prior to and after death of the hospice patient as needed.
Participates in the organization’s Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Program.
Develops and implements a bereavement plan of care that notes the kind of bereavement services to be offered and the frequency of service delivery.
Participates in the hospice volunteer training programs as it applies to the bereavement support component.
Operates motor vehicle to visit patients, etc.
Oversees recruitment, orientation, training, supervision, retention and evaluation of volunteers based on NHPCO / Medicare standards and other applicable regulatory bodies.
Develops and implements training and support programs and materials.
Oversees scheduling of volunteers.
Acts as the liaison between staff and volunteers.
Maintains a list of current volunteers.
Oversees the maintenance of records and personnel files for all volunteer staff.
Supervises preparation and maintenance of volunteer reports and statistics as required.
Provides orientation to new staff regarding volunteer services.
Coordinates the planning and enhancement of initiatives to increase utilization of volunteers.
Identifies and facilitates outcome-based quality improvement initiatives to improve volunteer programs and services.
Participates in the planning and implementation of regular volunteer continuing education programs.
Maintains agency standards for customer service.
Attends scheduled interdisciplinary team meetings.
Maintains communication with volunteers.
Builds successful relationships with employees, volunteers and community agencies.
Provides patient visitation, spiritual support, crisis intervention and bereavement support to patients and families of all faith traditions according the plan of care.
Offers hope, encouragement, and spiritual presence in the midst of grief, trauma, and unexpected outcomes for patients, families, and staff.
Networks and coordinates pastoral care with area clergy to provide interfaith pastoral visitation and sacramental ministry to patients, their families and caregivers.
Documents pastoral and sacramental interventions in the medical record.
Covers for the Spiritual Counselor during vacations and other time off.
Works collaboratively with the Hospice Interdisciplinary group members, hospital staff and local clergy as needed.
Assumes responsibility for own on-going professional development and spiritual well-being.
Meets on a scheduled basis with the Spiritual Counselor and / or the Clinical Team Supervisor Hospice for purposes of communication, collaboration, planning and evaluation.
Meets established productivity standards.
Facilitates and promotes the sharing of knowledge and content throughout departments.
Takes responsibility for ensuring that all work outcomes satisfy the UMass Memorial Health System True North.
The individual must support the mission, vision, and goals of HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital and serve as a role model for CARES values.
Adheres to change control processes.
Participates in cross training to optimize department resources.
Demonstrates excellent attendance and actively participates in a variety of meetings and training sessions as required.
Demonstrates a friendly, responsive, service-minded attitude to all internal and external customers.
Communicates ideas effectively. Shares information and keeps others properly informed. Gives, and is open to useful feedback.
Adheres to the HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital Code of Conduct and Behavior Standards and dress code.
Complies with established environment of care/safety policies and procedures and all health and safety requirements.
Maintains and fosters an organized, clean and safe work environment.
Contributes to the development and application of process improvements.
Maintains a collaborative, team relationship with peers and colleagues in order to effectively contribute to the group’s achievement of goals and to help foster a positive work environment.
Attends staff meetings and in-service programs as required or directed. Keeps current with hospital and unit changes by reading communication boards and/or books, bulletin boards, posted notices and reads and responds to e mails on a regular basis.
Practices cost containment and fiscal responsibility through the efficient use of supplies, equipment, time, etc.
Complies with established departmental policies, procedures and objectives.
Attends variety of meetings, conferences, seminars as required or directed.
Demonstrates use of Quality Improvement in daily operations.
Complies with all health and safety regulations and requirements.
Respects diverse views and approaches, demonstrates Standard of Respect, and contributes to creating and maintaining an environment of professionalism, tolerance, civility and acceptance toward all employees, patients and visitors.
Maintains, regular, reliable, and predictable attendance.
Performs other similar and related duties as required or directed.
All responsibilities are essential job functions.