Chaplain

Company Information

At Community Hospice & Health Services and its affiliates, Community Hospice & Health Services Foundation, and CHI Management, Inc. (herein referred to collectively as "CHHS") you will find a family-based and compassionate work environment. Our goal is to provide a wonderful work experience that allows our employees to thrive by feeling engaged and fulfilled each day. CHHS is the largest and oldest nonprofit hospice, palliative care, and support services provider in the Central Valley.

We are proud to indicate that CHHS has been supporting and providing compassionate and quality services to our community since 1979. Our mission is to embrace individuals and families facing life-changing journeys, enhancing quality of life for all. CHHS is accredited by Community Health Accredited Program (CHAP).


REPORTS TO: Patient Care Manager/Administrator

SUMMARY: As a member of the interdisciplinary patient care team, the Chaplain is responsible for making spiritual assessments of terminally ill patients, families, caregivers. The Chaplain provides interfaith and non-faith based spiritual supportive counseling and works closely with local clergy if desired by patient, family, and/or caregiver. The Chaplain offers patients, families, and caregivers' different philosophies and religious belief opportunities to share their thoughts, feelings, beliefs and values. The Chaplain refers to internal and external resources as appropriate.


REQUIREMENTS:

• Completes initial spiritual needs assessment on all patients, families, and caregivers unless the Chaplain visitation is declined.
• Visits patients to meet the current spiritual needs of the patient, family, and caregiver providing ongoing counseling and support. Assesses for changes in spiritual needs. Offers appropriate internal or external resources as needed.
• Documents assessments, treatment plans, visits, and significant phone contacts in the patient record.
• Coordinates with team members to plan and implement the plan of care.
• Acts as a liaison and consultant to community clergy on behalf of the patient, family, caregivers, and the bereaved. Refers patients, families, and caregivers to community spiritual support.
• Participates in staff meetings, and required educational programs. Serves as a resource for volunteers and health care givers in the community including contracted facilities.
• Participates in in-services, workshops, and clinical meetings to promote professional growth and understanding of hospice care.
• Supervises or participates in the supervision of CHHS orientees and interns. Ensures hospice policies and procedures are followed.
• Provides referrals for post-discharge spiritual support as needed.
• Follows all CHHS policies and procedures including, but not limited to safety, infection control, privacy, and confidentiality, and HIPAA.
• Performs other duties as assigned and works in other areas to cover absences or relieve workload during peak periods.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

• Ability to perform non-denominational spiritual support of a complex nature with individual patients and families. Consistently responds to changing situations in a flexible manner in order to meet current needs, such as reprioritizing work as necessary.
• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative, constructive relationships with patients, families, members of community clergy, other professional disciplines, and coworkers.
• Ability to prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive patient records to make sound recommendations on the basis of such information that includes recognizing a potential crisis, handle a fast paced and emotional environment, and bizarre behavior.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and take appropriate actions regarding questionable findings and/or concerns.
• Ability to retain personal objectivity and empathy, when dealing with the death experience and the problems of others.
• Ability to handle confidential information.
• Comfortable speaking in public settings.

• Positive professional attitude, with sensitivity to the nature of hospice.
• Aware of general differences and similarities of spiritual and religious issues across cultures, genders, and ages.
• Possession of one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) or Hospital Chaplains Ministry of America certification is preferred.
• Prior hospice knowledge and training is preferred.
• Valid California Driver's License, reliable transportation, and current auto insurance.
• Knowledge of spiritual issues faced by the dying, family members, caregivers of the dying, and the bereaved.
• Ministerial ordination education or experience from a recognized religious denomination is preferred.
• Training and experience in medical chaplaincy are preferred.
• Possesses and maintains a current CPR certification.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The primary work environment for this position is patients' homes, which may vary in levels of cleanliness, accessibility, and climate control. A patient home is to be considered wherever the patient resides. The employee may be exposed to viruses, diseases, and infections from patients. The employee may experience situations with emotionally disturbed, substance abuse, serious illness, and deceased patients. While performing the duties of this position, the employee will travel by automobile and is exposed to changing weather conditions.

WORK SCHEDULE: Thepositionrequires regular full-time work 40-hour workweek and overtime maybe required to meet patient needs.