Hospice Bereavement Specialist

Come Work for the Premiere Home Health Agency in Missoula

Who We Are: Partners in Home Care is a nationally accredited non-profit organization that has been providing quality home health care services to patients and families throughout Western Montana since 1987. We are passionately committed to assisting patients and families in achieving optimal health, independence, and comfort through high quality, cost-effective home and community health-related services. With a staff complement of 200 strong, we serve a radius of 100 miles around Missoula with a broad array of professional healthcare including nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, social work and bereavement support. Our programs encompass Home Health, Hospice (the largest Hospice in the community), Home Infusion, Home Medical Equipment (including home modifications for those who want to age-in-place) and HCBS (the Medicaid “waiver” program that supports those who wish to live with independence).

Job Summary:

Provides support and counseling to patients and families dealing with grief. This includes phone calls, individual counseling, and support groups. Develops plans of care in conjunction with the interdisciplinary team, and documents ongoing care. Assists in the training and oversight of bereavement volunteers.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Assess the bereaved individual’s mental health needs and conduct internal counseling support as appropriate. The use of external referral sources is available for ongoing counseling needs.
2. Provide grief support and education using individual, group, and family support techniques to the bereaved and community partners.
3. Utilize all forms of contact such as mailings, email, phone, letters, etc. to provide ongoing bereavement support throughout the duration of the bereavement program.
4. Support Hospice team members that have bereavement questions with current patients and families.
5. Participate in the orientation and training of new employees and volunteers working in the Hospice program.
6. Ability to function independently but also able to accept guidance from the IDG and others.
7. Develop updated bereavement mailing newsletters.
8. Serve as a liaison between other community grief agencies and resources.
9. Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.
   

Minimum Qualifications:

Qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or similar discipline; at least 1-year direct experience with counseling, and death and grief issues. Demonstrates a working knowledge of community resources and services; valid driver’s license; appropriate auto insurance, and reliable transportation. 

Must have high-speed Internet.

Physical Demands & Working Conditions:

Work is performed in both an office environment and in the residences of patients/bereaved, requiring driving in varied weather conditions.  Light lifting is occasionally necessary. Position involves occasional exposure to blood and bodily fluids.