Hospice Chaplain

Hospice Chaplain

JOB SUMMARY:

The Hospice Chaplain will provide all provisions of spiritual care services necessary, either directly or through coordination of care with other spiritual counselors/organizations, to patients, identified caregivers, hospice staff, and the community at large, as well as provide support to Skilled Nursing Facility and Independent/Assisted Living staff. The Hospice Chaplain will have professional competence, work within all age groups, collaborate with the interdisciplinary team, communicate effectively, show innovation, accept responsibility and ownership, and provide support to the entire agency. The Hospice Chaplain will ensure that the provision of services is consistent with Peaceful Hearts Hospice, LLC’s mission, vision, and philosophy. The Hospice Chaplain is expected to provide direct care, as well as lead informationals, complete consents, and rotate on-call.

Organization Relationship:

The Hospice Chaplain reports directly to the Director of Psychosocial Services.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

· Graduate from an accredited seminary or school of theology or equivalent theological degree, or certificate in chaplaincy or pastoral ministry.

· Experience working with death and dying, individuals/family/caregivers, preferred.

· Experience in bereavement and grief counseling preferred.

· At least one (1) year of experience in hospice, preferred.

· Ability to accept different lifestyles, cultures, beliefs, and values.

· Comfortable in interfaith settings.

Responsibilities and Duties:

· Ensure initial spiritual assessments of patients and families/caregivers are completed within five (5) days of admission, per Medicare requirement.

· Facilitate the development of the patient’s plan of care (POC) by completing the comprehensive spiritual assessment to meet identified spiritual needs.

· Ensure the POC is up-to-date and visit frequencies are being followed at all times.

· Ensure appropriate spiritual support is provided to all hospice patients and families/caregivers, depending on patient’s wishes, beliefs, and needs.

· Provide on-going direct spiritual care to patients and families/caregivers.

· Rotate through the on-call schedule with the psychosocial staff.

· Document direct services and ongoing communications with community chaplains and spiritual counselors.

· Attend patient care conferences to discuss patient’s needs.

· Be prepared for and attend each interdisciplinary team (IDT) meeting.

· Provide consultation, education, and support to the IDT regarding spiritual care.

· Conduct funeral or memorial services for patients as requested.

· Assist in planning of periodic memorial services to meet the needs of personnel, volunteers, and the community working with the hospice team.

· Assist with monthly memorial services to be held during All-Staff.

· Ability to network with community clergy and congregations.

· Serve as liaison and support community chaplains and spiritual counselors.

· Make referrals to community resources and local clergy as necessary.

· Maintain records of spiritual care service utilization and related activities for Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) program development.

· Attend monthly (during All-Staff) and annual memorial services for staff and patient’s families, facilities, and community.

· Attend stand-up daily and stand-down when needed to provide updates or gather information for on-call.

· Respond to situations in which spiritual support is needed during business hours, unless time-off is pre-approved by the Director of Psychosocial Services and a replacement is identified.

· Develop a working knowledge and database of community resources.

· Actively participate and engage with the interdisciplinary team.

· Ensure supportive services are available to staff.

· Independently complete informationals, consents, assessments, and discharge, transfer, and revocation forms.

· Assist with budgeting, evaluation and purchasing for spiritual care needs.

· Accept and perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Working Environment:

The Hospice Chaplain must be involved in the patient’s care and will be in the field, traveling between patient/families/caregivers/facilities most of the day. The Hospice Chaplain will also be expected to work in the Peaceful Hearts Hospice, LLC office when not with a patient, between visits, to complete charting and/or attend meetings, etc.

The Hospice Chaplain position requires the ability to utilize a computer, calculator, multi-line telephone, and other related office equipment.

The Hospice Chaplain has access to all patient medical records.

Transportation:

The Hospice Chaplain must have a valid driver's license, automobile liability insurance and reliable transportation.

Physician/ADA Requirements:

The Hospice Chaplain will exert physical efforts on most days which may include kneeling, squatting, reaching, twisting, climbing, walking, and exposure to temperature and humidity changes.

The Hospice Chaplain must possess sight/hearing or use appropriate adaptive devices.

The Hospice Chaplain must provide evidence of an annual TB test and other state-required tests and examinations.

Sitting..............................................................................................2-3 hours/day, often more

Standing..........................................................................................5-6 hours/day

Walking...........................................................................................2-3 hours/day

Reaching.........................................................................................1 hour/day, 8 ft higher or lower

Use of telephone............................................................................3-4 hours/day

Working under pressure.................................................................3-4 hours/day

Use of keyboard/computer, printer, copier...................................4-7 hours/day

· Position requires close work, finger dexterity, and good vision, hearing and oral communication

· May occasionally work longer than 8 hours/day

Benefits:

• Paid time off

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Holidays
• Monday to Friday
• On call

Experience:

• Hospice care: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: On the road