Grief and Bereavement Coordinator

Better Living Health and Community Services has an opening for Grief and Bereavement Coordinator. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing high quality care and support to Hospice’s palliative clients, families and caregivers who are seeking assistance in coping with anticipatory grief or grief associated with bereavement. As a member of the psychosocial team, the successful candidate will ensure that clients are offered a comprehensive psychosocial program in both the community and residential hospice programs.

This position reports to Manager, Community Hospice Programs

POSITION SUMMARY

The Grief and Bereavement Coordinator will be responsible for providing high quality care and support to Hospice’s palliative clients, families and caregivers who are seeking assistance in coping with anticipatory grief or grief associated with bereavement. As a member of the psychosocial team, the Grief, and Bereavement Coordinator will ensure that clients are offered a comprehensive psychosocial program in both the community and residential hospice programs.

The Grief and Bereavement Coordinator is responsible to address all inquiries, requests and referrals for grief support. This will include scheduling and conducting intake, assessment, monitoring and service provision for all bereavement clients, as well as coordinating and facilitating support groups.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• University degree in Psychology, Counselling, Social Work, or equivalent with expertise in hospice palliative care; a master’s degree is an asset


• Certificate in Grief and Bereavement from an accredited program.


• Minimum of 2 years related work experience with individuals with knowledge of and/or experience in grief and bereavement, palliative care, community hospice, and residential hospice.


• Working knowledge of psychosocial assessments e.g. grief & bereavement risk assessment tool (BRAT assessment), and experiences working with electronic records.


• Working knowledge of applicable legislation including but not limited to the Health Care Consent Act 1992, Substitute Decisions Act 1996, Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) 2010 and Home and Community Services Act 1994.


• Possess a valid Ontario Driver’s License and access to a vehicle for the purposes of business travel.


• Successful completion of Vulnerable Sector Screening within one month of employment.


• Proficient in client information management systems and web-based systems.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Maintain advanced knowledge of community resources and develop collaborative relationships with other community service providers to promote positive community relations and ensure hospice care is accessible to all individuals in the community.


• Provide advance professional knowledge on an ongoing basis through learning and development opportunities.


• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal, communications and decision making skills.


• Possess excellent organizational, time management, and multi-tasking skills.


• Demonstrate knowledge of MS Office Suite.


• Able to work flexible working hours.

KEY POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Position Specific

• Provide grief and bereavement support to Clients 1:1 and in group formats (children, youth and adult)


• Ensure referrals are received and processed in a timely manner.


• Assess Client needs in order to determine eligibility for service and develop Service Plans that reflect the needs and preferences of the individual; detail appropriate supports and interventions; and ensures a wellness approach to care.


• Align Client to organization and programs as applicable.


• Utilize the organizations’ Case Management Model to monitor and respond to the ongoing needs of the Client including but not limited to updated care plans, changes in status, and internal/external referrals.


• Work with Clinical Team, Social Work, to complete initial bereavement follow up with Caregiver and internal referral for bereavement support as appropriate.


• Work with the Coordinator of Volunteers to coordinate suitable volunteer matches and provide appropriate training and support and to co-facilitate relevant groups or provide 1:1 support to hospice clients.


• Maintain contact with assigned volunteers, once a month or more as required, to document volunteer interactions, provide support, and communicate updates or changes in Client status and/or care needs.


• Support grief and bereavement training with PalCare Education and training Specialist.


• Represent the organization at outreach functions, multi-disciplinary rounds, and case conferences as required.


• Supervise student placements.

Regulatory and Legal Requirements 

• Provide services in keeping with Better Living Health and Community Services’ Mission, Vision and Beliefs and Client Declaration of Values.


• Adhere to the principles and expectations outlined in the Code of Conduct.


• Maintain compliance with the policies and procedures of the organizations.


• Adhere to the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA 2010) as outlined in the organization privacy policies and procedures.


• Perform the functions of the job description in compliance with the Health and Safety practices of the organization and in accordance with the provincial Occupational Health and Safety Act.


• Participate in the continuous quality improvement activities of the organization in order to advance a culture of quality and support ongoing compliance with CARF and HPCO Accreditation standards.

LOCATION: Combination of Doane House Hospice and Margaret Bahen Hospice

SALARY: Commensurate with experience

Better Living is an equal opportunity employer and is in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Employment Standards Act and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Applicants need to make their request for accommodation known when contacted. Thank you to all who express interest in this position and we welcome all resumes. However, only those granted an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please. Thank you