Hospice Volunteer & Bereavement Specialist - Full-Time - Hospice

Work Shift

Day

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Summary

This position supports Mercy's philosophy of patient centered care by recruiting, training and placing quality volunteers, which delivers competent volunteers who support the various departments and staff within Hospice of Mercy. These services are offered with a positive, caring spirit, compatible with the mission of Mercy Medical Center and the Sisters of Mercy. This position works with patients and their families to provide psychosocial support and resources needed to cope with family changes triggered by illness and death. This position also may support patients by providing social work services.

Job Description

Job Duties

• Assists with extensive records/documentation, as well as a directory of community bereavement resources
• Acquires and distributes appropriate grief education materials, while also providing training, supervision, support and education
• Participates in collaborative, interdisciplinary development, implementation and updates to the bereavement plan of care as indicated
• Represents Hospice of Mercy in state-wide and local bereavement organizations. Assures compliance with regulatory and best practice related to pre and post death bereavement care of hospice survivors
• Assists in transfer, change in level of care and discharge planning by implementing and coordinating services required for discharge, as appropriate
• Assists with determining patient's appropriateness for hospice services consistent with Hospice of Mercy policies and admission criteria and in conjunction with patient's physician, as appropriate
• Provides information regarding Hospice's program of care and services to patients, physician and other sources of referrals
• Makes scheduled home visits in accordance with department specific guidelines to assist patients/families with discipline specific needs (Bereavement and Social work)
• Assists Hospice of Mercy events (i.e. Memorial Service, Love Lights, Support Groups)
• Provides grief counseling to bereaved, as appropriate
• Recruits volunteers to support and enhance interdisciplinary services related to patient care
• Interviews volunteer candidates
• Conducts orientations for volunteers/non-paid interns
• Assigns volunteers to departments matching their skills with department requests and patient needs
• Evaluates volunteers who are the responsibility of Volunteer Services
• Assists the Hospice Volunteer and Community Coordinator in all phases of operation related to volunteer services in the department
• Handles potential sensitive issues with volunteers as needed
• Oversees screening, recruitment, orientation, training, retention, and evaluation of volunteers in accordance with Mercy Medical Center Policies, Medicare and ACHC
• Participates in community and organizational events as needed to promote hospice volunteer programs
• Assists with developing and maintaining job descriptions for volunteer positions
• Coordinates all aspects of volunteer involvement with patients and families and facilitates process by which pertinent documentation is included in the patient's medical record
• Provides orientation to new hospice staff regarding volunteer and bereavement services
• Prepares and maintains volunteer reports and statistics as required
• Oversees Social Workers as assigned
• Follows Mercy's safety guidelines, carries out job-specific safety duties and responsibilities, and promptly reports any unsafe conditions, situations, incidents and injuries.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Requires basic office skills, knowledge of Microsoft Office: Windows applications
• Strong communication skills and proven leadership ability
• Displays exceptional guest relations skills promoting a positive image of the volunteer department
• Quick learner, displays initiative, able to accept responsibility
• Quality conscious and detail orientated
• Demonstrates creativity
• Able to handle multiple tasks in a highly interruptible atmosphere
• Demonstrate critical thinking when assessing and assisting patients and their families
• Proficient at planning, implementing and leading a therapeutic group
• Demonstrates an ability to deescalate patient situations using CPI techniques

Professional Experience

• Minimum of two years' experience coordinating volunteer activities or equivalent experience required
• Management/supervisory experience and / or volunteer experience preferred
• Three or more years Healthcare experience preferred, minimum of one year required

Education

• Master’s degree in social work required, or must have bachelor’s degree in social work and obtain master’s degree in social work within 2 years of hire or transfer.

Licensure, Certification, Registration

• Volunteer Management certification preferred
• Current valid driver's license, valid auto insurance and have own transportation required
• Iowa Dependent Adult Abuse Mandatory Reporter training required.  Employee must submit certification of completed training to Human Resources prior to start or transfer date

Physical Requirements

Light: Exert up to 20 lbs. of force occasionally and/or up to 10 lbs. of force frequently

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

Mercy is an independent, community-based organization supporting the Cedar Rapids area for over 120 years.

Mercy is an equal-opportunity employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion and therefore evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, civil union status, parental status, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.