Grief & Bereavement Coordinator

POSITION DESCRIPTION

**Job Title**:Grief & Bereavement Coordinator

**Representation**:Non-Union

**Department**:Stedman Community Hospice / Supportive Care

**Position Reports To**:Director, Stedman Community Hospice & Palliative Care Outreach

**JOB SUMMARY**

Guided by SJLCB’s Mission, Vision and Values, the Grief & Bereavement Coordinator (GBC) operates as a member of the Stedman leadership team, championing the holistic philosophy of hospice palliative care. The GBC provides anticipatory grief and post-death bereavement support to individuals with life-limiting illness, caregivers, family members, children, and youth. This role directly reports to the Director, Stedman Community Hospice.

**Position focus** The GBC provides Stedman Hospice patients and families with education and support related to grief and bereavement. The GBC creates and fosters a direct link between hospice services and community partners also supporting the Brantford community through end of life issues. The GBC will evaluate needs and determine programming with a focus on peer support in order to extend the outreach of the hospice and create community consultation around death and dying.

**KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES & SUCCESS CRITERIA**

Reporting to the Director, Stedman Community Hospice & Palliative Care Outreach and working as a member of the Hospice leadership team, this role is responsible for:

- Providing one-on-one bereavement and grief education to individuals with life-limiting illness, caregivers, family members, children and youth
- Developing and facilitating bereavement support groups with bereaved individuals
- Evaluating and exploring community programs to assess community needs around bereavement and end of life concerns. Making community referrals or developing hospice programs as appropriate
- Ensuring all hospice supportive programs are being maintained at an appropriate level and are operating in accordance with provincial standards
- In collaboration with the supportive care team, reviews new referrals and assesses needs and rostering
- Working within the interdisciplinary team, the coordinator assesses and provides supportive services to patients and their families to inform decision-making, individual care plans, and coordination of various other support services
- Dealing with emergent situations under stress and exercising reasonable judgment when dealing with clients, families, volunteers and colleagues
- Completing administrative and quality reports on a timely basis ensuring that all data submitted is accurate, precise, and current
- Participating in the development of Quality Improvement and Strategic Plans
- Acting as a champion in death education to support awareness of palliative care and the programs and services provided
- Participating on related internal and external committees or project teams (e.g. Ethics, Wellness, Community Team Rounds)

**Leadership**
- Develops, reviews and modifies operational policies and procedures in conjunction with St. Joseph’s health care standards
- Identifies and addresses internal work stressors throughout the interdisciplinary team and offers education, debriefing, processing, and self-care support
- In collaboration with the Community Engagement and Volunteer Coordinator, oversees and supports volunteers facilitating grief and bereavement programs
- Liaises with community partners including funeral homes
- Functions as member of Hospice leadership team and participates in on-call rotation
- This position may be required to perform additional related job functions beyond this description._

**QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS**
- Undergraduate Degree or Diploma in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or Thanatology
- Experience working with bereaved adults, children and families delivering grief and bereavement support
- Education and experience in providing trauma-informed approaches to care and services
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and Indigenous Reconciliation
- Expert knowledge in hospice palliative care, end-of-life care, and experience working across health care settings
- Experience in leadership and program development
- Ability to work autonomously as well as collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team
- Vulnerable Sector Police Check (favourable, within past 12 months)
- Valid driver’s license, a reliable vehicle for work related purposes

Stedman Community Hospice at St. Joseph’s Lifecare Centre Brantford is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, provincial or municipal laws. Demonstrated leadership ability through utilization of management concepts.

About Us

**_St. Joseph’s Lifecare Centre Brantford_**_ is an equal opportunity employer