Palliative Care Counselor

JOB SUMMARY:

The Palliative Care Counselor (PCC) is responsible for providing holistic care through counseling and psychosocial support for patients and their families living with a serious life limiting illness or injury seen by the palliative care team. The PCC can work effectively within an interdisciplinary team. The PCC will assist the patient and their family unit in supporting and addressing their psychosocial needs per the palliative care interdisciplinary team in which the PCC is a core team member. The PCC completes psychosocial assessments, develops care plans for providing psychosocial education and emotional support to patients, families and caregivers on nonpharmacological symptom management, psychological stressors to anxiety, depression and pain. Provides individual coping skill strategies. The PCC will assess complicated family dynamics (financial, culture, anticipatory and complicated grief), intervene in crises and mediate conflicts within families.  The PCC will be responsible for identifying correct legal next of kin, researching power of attorney for health care, guardianship, and completed advanced directives in preparation for scheduling and attending patient-family centered goals of care conference meetings.  The PCC will demonstrate a strong understanding of end-of-life care and ethical issues in palliative care.  In addition, the PCC will work with the palliative care chaplain and social workers to plan and prepare family units for bereavement support.  This position reports to the manager of the palliative care department. 

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Adheres to the hospital and departmental attendance and punctuality guidelines
• Performs all job responsibilities in alignment with the core values, mission and vision of the organization
• Performs other duties as required and completes all job functions as per departmental policies and procedures
• Maintains current knowledge in present areas of responsibility (i.e., self-education, attends ongoing educational programs)
• Attend staff meetings and complete mandatory in-services and requirements and competency evaluations on time.
• Demonstrates competency at all levels in providing care to all patients based on age, sex, weight, and demonstrated needs. For non-clinical areas, has attended training and demonstrates usage of age- specific customer service skills.
• Wear protective clothing and equipment as appropriate.
• Must spend 50-75% of work time in the patient's residence.
• Must have reliable transportation for travel to patient's home. 

WORKING CONDITIONS

• General environment: Works in a well-lighted, air-conditioned area, with moderate noise levels.
• May be exposed to limited hazardous substances or body fluids, or infectious organisms.
• May be required to change from one task to another of different nature without loss of efficiency or composure.
• Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur. 

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Master’s degree in counseling (Marriage and Family Therapy, Psychology, or another related field) (Required) 

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• 2+ years’ experience with counseling, advanced illness coordination, care coordination, hospice or Palliative Care (Required)

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSURES

• Required Certifications/Licensures: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Practicing Counselor (LPC), or related licensure, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Preferred Certifications/Licensures: Certified Palliative Care Professional (The Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) Designation).

GENERAL SKILLS

• Organizational Skills
• Communication Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Customer Relations
• Read, Comprehend Written Instructions
• Follow Verbal Instructions
• Basic Computer Skills

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Have near normal vision - Clarity of vision (both near and far), ability to distinguish colors
• Have good - manual dexterity and eye-hand-foot coordination
• Ability to perform - repetitive tasks/motion

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Standing - Occasionally within shift (1-33%)
• Walking - Occasionally within shift (1-33%)
• Sitting - Occasionally within shift (1-33%)
• Climbing - Occasionally within shift (1-33%)
• Bending, Stooping - Occasionally within shift (1-33%)
• Twist at waist - Occasionally within shift (1-33%)
• Pushing, Pulling - Occasionally within shift (1-33%)
• Lift, carry up to 20 lbs - Occasionally within shift (1-33%)
• Lift, carry > 20 lbs with assistance - Occasionally within shift (1-33%)
• Reaching above shoulder - Occasionally within shift (1-33%)