Bereavement Counselor Job Description

Bereavement Counselor Job Description Template

We are looking for a compassionate and dedicated bereavement counselor to support our clients through the process of dealing with personal loss, including the death of loved ones. In this role, your duties will include planning treatment, facilitating therapy sessions, and mobilizing community resources to support recovery.

To ensure success, bereavement counselors should exhibit exceptional insight into the psychology of loss and have demonstrable experience in providing bereavement therapy. Accomplished candidates perform interventions relevant to each of the stages of grief and facilitate support.

Bereavement Counselor Responsibilities:

• Consulting referrals, interviewing clients, and compiling case histories.
• Recording clinical observations and updating client files.
• Determining clients’ intervention needs and developing treatment plans.
• Facilitating individual and group therapy sessions.
• Assisting clients to overcome the loss of loved ones and pets, as well as grief due to divorce, break-ups, and miscarriages.
• Monitoring clients’ progress and adjusting treatment plans to enable them to live fulfilling lives.
• Collaborating with medical health specialists on medication needs, when required.
• Involving other professionals, community support groups, and relevant resources in recovery plans.
• Facilitating sessions with family members and caregivers to better understand the stages of grief.
• Pursuing continued professional development and keeping up with advancements in the field.

Bereavement Counselor Requirements:

• CACREP-accredited masters degree in counseling with grief and bereavement coursework.
• A passing score on the National Counselor Examination.
• State-prescribed licensing to practice as a grief and bereavement counselor.
• A minimum of 3 years of experience as a Bereavement Counselor, or similar.
• Competency in electronic health record systems, such as Therabill and NextStep.
• In-depth knowledge of the psychology of loss and the stages of grief.
• Experience with co-existing physical, mental, and emotional conditions.
• Experience in collaborating with family members, healthcare professionals, and support groups in treatment.
• Ability to stay informed on developments in the field of bereavement counseling.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and recordkeeping skills.