Coordinator, Bereavement and Volunteer

About the Role

Responsible for planning, directing, and evaluating all aspects of the hospice volunteer program. This role focuses on recruiting, onboarding, and retaining volunteer workers who contribute their services to enhance the quality of life for terminal patients and their families. The position develops and coordinates delivery of bereavement services to family members and/or caregivers for up to thirteen months following the death of a hospice patient. As a Licensed Social Worker, this role supports the hospice clinical team in functioning as one of the four core Hospice team members of the Hospice Inter-disciplinary Group (IDG) when needed.

Responsibilities

• Provides a complete range of Social Work Services to hospice patients including planning, treatment, and consultation.
• Provides assessment of the psychosocial and spiritual needs of the patient and family. Carries out social evaluations, including family dynamics, caregiver abilities, communication patterns, high risks for suicide, neglect or abuse, bereavement rating, volunteer needs, and plans interventions based on evaluation findings.
• Assists the patient and family in developing and implementing an appropriate plan of care, and updates as needed. Counsels patient and family/caregivers as needed in relationship to stress and other identified coping difficulties, and provides crisis intervention as needed.
• Provides bereavement services to family members and/or caregivers; develops Individualized Bereavement Care Plan and follow-up as needed and as stipulated by policy and regulation.
• Provides short-term individual counseling as warranted and facilitates referrals for clients as deemed appropriate. Determines scope and length of services required on a case-by-case basis.
• Facilitates referrals as necessary, utilizing community contacts and external agencies as applicable. Coordinates valuations, surveys, and assignment of Bereavement Risk Ratings to ensure provision of services as necessary.
• Coordinates education and outreach programs, facilitates grief support groups, and coordinates hospice memorials.
• Recruits and onboards hospice and bereavement volunteers.
• Sources volunteer candidates by traditional and creative means of networking and recruiting within the community. Screens and interviews candidates. Delivers standardized hospice orientation and end-of-life care education applicable to the role of the volunteer.
• Matches volunteer skills and availability with geographic location, personality traits, patient needs, and specific requests. Coordinates regular companionship, vigil, or respite visits.
• Supervises hospice and bereavement volunteers and maintains regulatory compliance.
• Tracks volunteer hours and maintains clinical record documentation. Ensures documentation of services provided and patient reactions. Ensures adherence to agency and regulatory standards.
• Provides work-related feedback for volunteers. Follows up on performance-related issues and corrective actions as required. Provides ongoing support, mentorship, and recognition for volunteers.
• Tracks metrics to maintain the mandatory federal 5% cost-savings threshold.
• Serves as backup coverage for the medical social worker – Hospice when needed.
• Participates in Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) as directed.
• Supports various other Home care and Hospice responsibilities as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in social work required.
• Must possess Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW).
• CPR certification required.
• One or more years’ experience in hospice or home care is preferred.
• One or more years’ experience in supervision preferred.

Skills

• Flexible and productive in an environment with regular interruptions.
• Displays high levels of customer service, responding promptly and thoroughly to the inquiries and needs of individuals both internal and external to the organization.
• Understands and maintains the confidential nature of organization and client information in accordance with HIPAA regulations and corporate compliance standards, including appropriate access of data housed within the Information Technology infrastructure.
• Possesses effective problem-solving skills.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Internet, and other applications.
• Skilled in database management and record keeping.
• Able to display high levels of customer service, responding promptly and thoroughly to the inquiries and needs of individuals both internal and external to the organization in accordance with PROUD standards.
• Able to understand and follow facility and department safety and emergency procedures.

Physical Requirements

• Performs light work, with occasional or negligible lifting of objects weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Communicates clearly and effectively both orally and in writing to all levels of people inside and outside the organization, including possessing good English-speaking skills, fluency, and understandability.
• Able to effectively use office equipment to review and create information.
• Works at a desk for extended periods of time and performs long hours of work at a computer.
• Frequently stands and walks to move around office/building repeatedly throughout the day.
• Able to work a flexible work schedule, including overtime, nights, and weekends as required, including attending events/meetings as needed.
• Able to obtain reliable transportation.

Tools and Equipment Used

• Must be able to use telephone, calculator, copy machines, computers, printers, and other office equipment.
• Provides own means of transportation around the Twin Cities metro area to frequently transport self between events, meetings, etc.; must possess a current driver’s license.

Work Environment

The work environment is indoors. The incumbent must be flexible about switching positions quickly in order to respond to the needs of patients, including emergencies.

Schedule

8am - 5pm, 40 hours per week.