POSITION SUMMARY

As a member of the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT), the Chaplain is responsible to provide Spiritual/Pastoral counseling service to the patient/family, hospice staff and volunteers, as needed, to assess and address the spiritual/pastoral, bereavement and/or the additional individual and/or group counseling needs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provide Spiritual/Pastoral counseling services in accordance with the plan of care and include: An assessment as soon as possible after an admission. An individualized plan of care which demonstrates an effort to work in close collaboration with local clergy whenever desired by the patient. Provide support in accordance with on-going wishes and needs of the patient/family.
• Attend IDT/IDG conferences when plan of care is reviewed and assist in developing and updating the plan of care.
• Conduct religious services of prayer, worhship and rituals for patients/families, as appropriate.
• Offer patients/families of different philosophies and religious beliefs opportunities to discuss and share their thoughts, feeling, beliefs and values.
• Document counseling provided in the patient's clinical record.
• Upon request, meet with individual staff regarding spiritual/pastoral issues that may affect their ability to function effectively.
• Assess patient/family response to and satisfaction with care.
• Participate in the QAPI hospice performance improvement program.
• Assist and perform other responsibilities as assigned.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

• Accountability - Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her actions.
• After Death - Prepares family for events that occur immediately following death, i.e. select funeral home, make funeral arrangements, notify agencies such as Medicare, Social Security, Attorney who handles Estate, financial issues, canceling appointment, etc.
• Communication - Is available physically and mentally for patient and family communication. Deliversdifficult information in honest clear manner. Maintains hope by focusing on palliative care when cure no longer possible. Focuses on helping patient/family live in way meaningful to them.
• Dying and Death - Identifies those who are approaching last days of living. Communicates honestly to patient/family about approaching death and gifts of last days. Speaks of death as natural process not failure of treatment. Determines patient/family wishes regarding place of death and seeks to have death occur where desired. Assists family to give patient permission to die, to “good bye” and to bring reconciliation to family relationships.
• Emotional Support - Supports patient and family expression of emotional needs. Listens actively, supports as appropriate, and refers to support groups, other patients and families with similar conditions, and/or professionals with expertise in this area.
• Relationship - Establishes rapport with patient and family. Is viewed as “present, really listening, caring, and trustworthy” Initiates contact with bereaved family as appropriate to relationship.
• Relationship - Family and Community - Addresses desires and needs for support from family andfriends. Determines if there has been a change in family communication. Facilitates family communication of specific issues by structure of interactions. Provides anticipatory guidance for family as they focus on their relationships. This may include reconciliation of relationships.
• Spiritual/Cultural - Manages interactions to support the patient's and caregiver's expression of spiritualneeds and strengths and cultural practices. Creates environment that allows integration of dialogue about spiritual issues within the learning experience.
• Team Collaboration - Provides care with a team approach that includes patient and family as integral and essential members of the care team.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Education : Graduate of an accredited seminary or school of theology. Master's of Divinity preferred.

Experience : One - Three years of related experience. Hospice experience preferred. Clinical Pastoral

education preferred. Qualified professional with experience or education in grief or loss counseling.

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Word Processing software.

Certificates & Licenses

Other Requirements

Understands the practices and procedures relating to referral of victims of

abuse/neglect/mistreatment/exploitation to the appropriate community agencies. Promotes Community

education and awareness of hospice services. Understands and maintains professional boundaries in

relationship with the patient/family/caregiver. Displays sensitivity to issues of loss and grief. Has the

ability to deal effectively with the demands of the job. TB test, meets new hire and State requirements

for position. Possess a valid driver's license and evidence of current auto liability insurance. A member in

good standing with ones denomination.

BILINGUAL IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH IS HIGHLY PREFERRED .

This position may be PART-TIME or FULL-TIME.

E.O.E.

M/F/D/V