Michael Norrie

Responsible for the oversight of the Hospice Volunteer Program and a team of 18 Regional Volunteer Coordinators in 15 states in the Northern Region of the United States. Coached Regional Volunteer Coordinators in volunteer recruitment, retention, placement and all volunteer activities and events, including the timely matching and placement of requested patient volunteers and program achievements according to hospice guidelines. Tracked and reported records of volunteer hours, activities, and recruitment efforts. Coordinated new hire orientation and training and provided continual support and consultation for Regional Volunteer Coordinators. Edited and published a monthly newsletter and other publications to highlight hospice volunteers and promote the hospice volunteer program agencywide.

Provided expertise and skills in bereavement program management through strategic planning, coordination of services, and assisted the interdisciplinary team with the delivery of bereavement services. Offered counseling, assessed needs, and explained the services available to the bereaved. Additional job duties included facilitating multiple weekly grief support groups, creating bereavement materials, documenting bereavement services offered to bereaved, and training new staff and volunteers. Edited and published a quarterly hospice bereavement newsletter and other publications on grief and loss.

Supervised and supported the agency's Social Workers, Chaplains, Bereavement Coordinators and Volunteer Coordinators for the state of New Jersey. Provided peer support and supervision for Social Workers, Chaplains, Bereavement Coordinators, and Volunteer Coordinators; facilitated training of newly hired Social Workers, Chaplains, Bereavement Coordinators, and Volunteers Coordinators; coordinated caseload distribution and on-call scheduling for the Social Workers and Chaplains. Facilitated monthly Support Services meetings.

Provided group and individual counseling and conducted spiritual assessments on patients at this world-renowned chemical dependency recovery hospital and residential day treatment facility offering inpatient, outpatient, family, children and day treatment for alcohol and other drug addictions. Experience working with patients diagnosed with co-occurring disorders and life adjustment issues. Facilitated weekly grief groups for patients in the inpatient program and the residential day treatment program. Professionally prepared progress notes on patients for inclusion in medical charts. Assisted in crisis intervention with patients, family members and staff as needed. Presented weekly lectures on 12-Step Spirituality and Grief and Loss/Bereavement to patients and family members. Provided non-denominational spiritual services for patients. Conducted daily guided group meditation experiences and reflections for patients.