Bereavement Care Provider

JOB SUMMARY

The Bereavement Care Provider (BCP) is a full-time position located at the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s Office (MEO) that is primarily responsible for providing telephonic grief counseling and support to individuals who have recently lost a loved one due to a variety of causes (other than homicides or drug-related deaths). This position requires a high level of clinical responsibility, integrity, and initiative.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

               Responsibilities/Duties

• Offer bereavement outreach via telephone to select cases as assigned, including telephonic follow-up as needed;
• Offer crisis intervention counseling, education, and support to bereaved and/or traumatized individuals who present in person to the Philadelphia MEO;
• Willingness to grow the position (e.g. through the creation of a facilitated bereavement support group);
• Identify any bereavement, health-related or social service needs of grieving families and help connect them to the proper community resources;
• Enter all case notes into the MEO database in a timely fashion;
• Maintain and regularly update database of bereavement materials and create new handouts as appropriate to ensure families are receiving accurate information;
• Help train any new bereavement staff hires;
• Help supervise any social work student interns;
• Provide cross-coverage for other MEO bereavement support staff as needed;
• Closely collaborate with all Fatality Review Program and MEO staff members;

• Complete all tasks as assigned, including related duties not specified above.

Education

Must possess either (1) a Master of Social Work (or equivalent) degree at an accredited college or university or (2) a Bachelor of Social Work at an accredited college or university with a minimum history of four years’ experience in clinical social work.

Skills/Experience

• Social and cultural factors that contribute to attitudes and behaviors common to trauma and grief;
• Principles, practices and techniques related to working with bereaved individuals;
• Ability to observe, recognize, analyze and report on individual’s and families’ behavioral, attitudinal, emotional and social problems, and to help provide useful information and links for future support;
• Ability to function under the direct supervision of an administrative supervisor and within the scope and standards of the provision of bereavement care;
• Ability to work with culturally and economically diverse audiences;
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and manage project timelines with a high degree of organizational skill;
• Sound computer skills and good experience in the use of Microsoft Office Suite;
• Fluency in English, excellent phone skills, sound writing skills, and an ability to clearly communicate information both orally and in writing;
• Bilingual in Spanish is preferred;
• One or more years’ experience in providing bereavement services is preferred.

Work Environment:  Standard office setting at the Philadelphia MEO with extended periods at one’s workstation and periodic use of office equipment.

Position Type and Work Schedule:  Full-time position with flexibility to the work hours - but includes a Sunday (or Saturday) shift.  In-person work (in an office), but there is also a possibility to work remotely one day per week.

Travel:  No travel involved; all work is conducted on-site at the Philadelphia MEO.

Physical Demands:  None apart from standard office work.

Salary and Benefits:  $65,930, with a comprehensive benefits package that can include:

• Medical with vision benefits
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending accounts
• Life, AD&D and long-term care insurance
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Plan, with a company contribution
• Paid time off including vacation, sick, personal and holiday
• Employee Assistance Program​​​​​​​

Eligibility and participation are handled consistent with the plan documents and HFP policy.