Grief Counselor- SandCastles - 40 Hours

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Requires Masters Degree in counseling, social work, or p

Henry Ford SandCastles Grief Support Program for Children and Families is a community-based program providing grief support to families with youth ages 3 to 18 who have experienced a death.  Support groups are facilitated by professional staff and trained volunteers from the community at multiple site locations throughout Southeastern Michigan, as well as virtually.  SandCastles also offers a weekend, overnight grief camp each summer.  Our team is comprised of dedicated staff that have all here to further the mission to help grieving families heal.  Compassion and empathy are our drivers in this support work. Leadership skills and flexibility are key. Our SandCastles office is located in Detroit and our staff are currently working a hybrid model with time in office, at program sites, and as well as remote work.

Hours

·       The Grief Counselor for SandCastles is mostly an afternoon/evening work schedule. This position provides support for the SandCastles Grief Support programs during evening sessions held 2-3 times a week. The schedule is flexible, allowing team members to adjust their work hours to accommodate the program’s evening hours. Evening sessions typically end between 9:30 and 10:00 pm.

·       Weekend camp coverage is required each August.

·       Additional weekend days occasionally may be required for community programming. 

·       Option to have a rotating schedule on days when evenings aren't required. 

Location

·       Driving is required to community location. 

·       Programs throughout Southeast Michigan. 

·       Office at New Center One in Detroit.

·       Hybrid position.

·       Position requires personal vehicle during work hours to travel to surround counties for program sites and camp(s). 

Requirements

·       The ability to lift, carry, transport supplies for distances is required. 

·       Knowledge of grief and loss, supervision of volunteers, and group facilitation are helpful. 

GENERAL SUMMARY: 

Grief Counselors at SandCastles works in conjunction with the SandCastles team to provide for the needs of grieving children and their families within hospice and the surrounding community.

·       Responsible for the assessment, intake and placement of children, teens, and adults into support groups at programs and at camp.

·       Responsible for the identification of children, and parent(s)/guardian(s) who are in need of further assessment and referral, if necessary, and providing that service.

·       Is a referral source for outside agencies when needed by the family member, staff, or volunteer.

·       The Grief Counselor is required to attend evening program functions, is responsible for handling crisis situations, and coordinates and supervises the evening programming at one or more sites.

·       Serves as a liaison between the SandCastles program, hospice program, HFHS, and the community through community outreach and education.

• Previous experience working with bereavement and children's issues preferred.
• Requires participation at the annual overnight children's grief camp weekend.
• Requires interpersonal skills to present a positive image of Hospice and SandCastles to those who are referred to the program and to the community.
• Requires knowledge of normal and abnormal responses of children and families to bereavement issues and knowledge of normal childhood development.
• Displays sensitivity in discussing the reality of death, grief and loss with children, families, volunteers, and community groups.
• Writes concisely and objectively in documentation, with timeliness and accuracy.
• Maintains confidentiality of records and information relating to families, volunteers, and staff.
• Utilizes effective communication skills and displays tact and decorum in all communication with staff, families, volunteers, administration, and community representatives.
• Transports supplies to assigned community program sites.
• Responsible for set up and take down at program sites as needed. (i.e., May include setting up tables, moving/transporting bins, and boxes).

CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSURES REQUIRED:

• Current State of Michigan clinical licensure for degree. (LLPC, LPC, LLMSW, LMSW, LLP).