Grief Support Specialist

• Provides short-term individual bereavement counseling.
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary team and completes initial and ongoing bereavement assessment and care plan for identified bereaved family members after the death of a patient.
• Provides ongoing assessment of client’s bereavement needs and maintains accurate and appropriate documentation in accordance with organizational policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Facilitates ongoing and time-limited bereavement groups for hospice and community individuals.
• Develops and provides educational programs for families, staff, and community members on loss, grief, and related topics.
• Participates in planning and implementing bereavement related events (such as socials, workshops, educational series, support groups, and memorial services) and ensures timely communication of events.
• Designs materials for distribution to families eligible for and/or receiving Hospice services.Participates in staff orientations specific to bereavement as requested by leader.
• Collaborates with hospice volunteer coordinator to train and supervise volunteers/interns to provide hospice grief support services.

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:

• A valid drivers license issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles.

Education Required:

• Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, or
• Master’s Degree in Religious Studies, or
• Master’s Degree in Social Work, or
• Master’s Degree in Theology, or
• Master’s Degree in Psychology, Counseling or related field.

Experience Required:

• Typically requires 2 years of experience in individual, family therapy, group therapy, and/or related program services.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Position requires Professional Counselor or Social Work license issued by the state of Wisconsin or Grief Support Certification needs to be obtained with 1 year or other credentials based on modality.
• In-depth knowledge of the psychology of loss and the stages of the grieving process.
• Current driving record that meets AAH safety standards and proof of automobile liability insurance.
• Must have experience in program development and management.
• Must have excellent organizational, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Basic computer skills.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Must be able to obtain transportation to attend to the daily schedule of home visits and other agency business in a timely manner.
• Must be able to sit, stand, walk and climb stairs for a limited to prolonged periods of time in order to complete required paper work, gain entry into the patient’s residence, travel from assigned visits and attend to a verity of work related activity.
• Must have the physical agility to move about in confined spaces, including bending, kneeling, squatting and occasionally reaching one or both arms over the head.
• Must be capable of the manual dexterity required to use and operate a verity of medical equipment and supplies and writing utensils.
• Must be able to work safely with people of various size and diverse and complex medical conditions and physical limitations. Must be able to move, lift and support up to 30 pounds.
• Must have the physical stamina to attend to patient care requirements over a period of three or more hours without complete rest.
• Must be able to speak and hear clearly to be able to communicate with people in person or over the telephone.
• Must have sufficient visual acuity to read gauges and measuring devices or to prepare reports and analyze information.
• Subject to exposure to chemical and hazardous waste and communicable disease.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.