What are the responsibilities and job description for the Chaplain-VHS Hospice-FT position at Hackensack Meridian Health?
Overview
Our team members are the heart of what makes us better. At Hackensack Meridian Health we help our patients live better, healthier lives — and we help one another to succeed. With a culture rooted in connection and collaboration, our employees are team members. Here, competitive benefits are just the beginning. It’s also about how we support one another and how we show up for our community. Together, we keep getting better - advancing our mission to transform healthcare and serve as a leader of positive change.
Visiting Health Services of New Jersey (VHSNJ), a partnership between Hackensack Meridian Health and St. Joseph's Health, provides a comprehensive continuum of home health care and hospice services, support, and resources to patients and families in Passaic, Bergen, and parts of Morris counties. The VHSNJ multidisciplinary clinical and support teams provide high quality care to patients where they most want to be-in their homes.
At Visiting Health Services of New Jersey and Hackensack Meridian Health, we recognize our team members by offering a Total Rewards package including: Comprehensive Health Benefits, generous Paid Time Off, Travel Reimbursement as well as an investment in your future with a 401k match and Tuition Reimbursement.
Qualifications
Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:
- Bachelor's Degree
- Completion of Two (2) Units of Clinical Pastoral Education
- Six (6) Months Experience
Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred:
- Masters of Divinity Graduate or Doctoral Degree in Biblical Studies
- Theological or Spiritual Studies
- Graduate or Doctorate in Pastoral Counseling
- Ordination from a Recognized Religious Body into a Ministry-related Field
Responsibilities
Responsible for the provision of spiritual support to patients and families in keeping with the patient/family's belief system. Responsible for bereavement follow up as assigned by supervisor.
- Complete initial spiritual assessment within 24 hours of contact on all assigned patients.
- Contact all patients/families within one week of the date of patient's admission to Hospice services.
- Assure documentation of assessment, interventions and planning meet organization time line. Update care plans every two weeks or with patient change in status.
- Perform and arrange funeral services as requested by patients/families. Assist in the organization of memorial service/s for staff and families each year.
- Seek out and listen to customers (patients/families) views in order to ascertain their concerns/needs.
- Recognize grievance situations. Interact with customer/patient in a constructive way. Log complaints when received. Manage complaints according to organization procedure.
- Provide spiritual care and support to patients/families in accordance with their needs, regardless of race, gender, religious background or lifestyle. Provide additional resources to patients/families as needed.
- Work with staff, clergy and community groups to enhance their sensitivity to the spiritual concerns of patients/families experiencing terminal illness and loss. Participate in weekly team meetings and provide input on current patients. Provide one education session per year to Hospice staff.
- Other duties and/or projects as assigned. Demonstrate flexibility with job responsibilities in all areas as well as exhibit an understanding and ability to complete Hospice Consents.
- Adheres to HMH's Organizational competencies and standards of behavior.
- Lifts a minimum of 10 lbs., pushes and pulls a minimum of 10 lbs. and stands a minimum of 4 hours a day.
