Summary
The Family Support Counselor I supports the mission of We Are Sharing Hope SC (SHSC) by inspiring
our community, offering hope and changing lives through the gift of organ, eye and tissue donation. This
mission-driven individual is a dedicated and compassionate professional who is responsible for engaging
in emotionally challenging end-of-life decisions for organ and tissue donation with families experiencing a
sudden and devastating loss while also advocating for potential recipients in need of life-saving or life-enhancing
transplants.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
1. Serves on rotating call schedule in order to provide 24/7 response services to patient referrals in LifePoint’s Designated Service Area (DSA) hospitals.
2. Provides medical history needed to determine preliminary suitability for organ donation.
3. Serves as a resource for the hospital and patients’ families and assists families of potential donors with personal, social, spiritual, and other needs.
4. Works collaboratively with the Coroner, our Coroner Liaison, Nursing Supervisor, Pathologist, and the donor hospital regarding any restrictions or autopsy requests which may take priority on an organ and tissue donor and secures release from the coroner for organ and tissue donation when appropriate.
5. Maintains an annual consent rate of 80% for first person and family authorizations.
6. Makes hospital rounds in designated service area, becoming familiar with the hospital location and any individual staff idiosyncrasies.
7. Develops effective partnerships with medical and nursing staff.
8. Collaborates with Hospital Development Coordinator.
9. Assists in the transition of the family to the Donor Family Services program.
10. Attends donor family ceremonies.
11. Collaborates with Donor Family Services counselors by communicating pertinent family information, giving donor medals and attending funeral services.
12. Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications, Education & Experience
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Bachelor’s Degree required
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Prior work experience in social work, counseling, advocacy, public health, public relations, communications; specialization in grief, bereavement and crisis intervention strongly preferred.
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Registered Nurse, LPN, Medical Social Work preferred.
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Knowledge in a medical field, healthcare and/or medical terminology strongly preferred;
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Exceptional communication and organizational skills required.
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Ability to professionally communicate (written and verbally) with diverse constituency including but not limited to families, medical professionals, healthcare leadership and law enforcement representatives.
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Comfortability with public speaking and giving influential presentations to a variety of key audiences as the subject matter expert regarding organ and tissue donation.
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Must have valid state driver’s license.
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Ability to read, write and speak Spanish a plus or,
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An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.