Chaplain

Responsibilities

• Contacts patient/caregiver within five (5) days of a patient’s admission to hospice care to conduct an initial spiritual assessment.
• If spiritual care is requested, the initial assessment is to be completed within 48 hours of admission.
• Completes and documents ongoing assessments, interventions and outcomes of patient and family/caregiver concerns and spiritual issues in the Electronic Medical Record.
• In accordance with the Plan of Care (POC), the chaplain will assist the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) in understanding the significant religious issues related to terminal illness, impending loss, and bereavement.
• Captures and coordinates home visits in the best interests of time and travel.
• Captures and coordinates efforts with community ministers to gain support of various denominations and/or faith groups so that the diverse spiritual needs of the patients can be met effectively.
• Communicates with and supports the patient’s/caregiver’s clergy as appropriate.
• Provides consultation and education to patient, caregiver and hospice staff concerning spiritual/religious concerns affecting end of life care.
• Aids caregivers with funeral arrangements and services as appropriate.
• Provides counseling to members of the Interdisciplinary team as appropriate as well as available to volunteers for counseling when appropriate and participates in volunteer training as needed.
• Willing and able to accurately utilize any automated device required to document in the electronic medical record, with all visit documentation completed on the day of the visit.
• Must be willing and available in an on-call rotation to make after hours visits (evenings and/or weekends) when needed for a patient’s death, funeral, or admission, etc. or spiritual crisis.
• Aids with bereavement telephone calls to caregivers following the death of a patient.

Qualifications

• A graduate degree from an accredited theological school or seminary with emphasis in religion, divinity, pastoral counseling, or related field.
• M.Div. preferred.
• At least 1 year of chaplaincy experience in a healthcare setting preferred.
• Comfort in an interfaith setting and ability to work with individuals with diverse lifestyles, beliefs/values, and cultures.