Hospice Chaplain Spiritual Counselor Full Time

Purpose:

The Chaplain/Spiritual Counselor is responsible for the provision of spiritual support services and counseling in accordance with Medicare and state regulations and agency policies.

Full Time Hours Needed and will assist with Bereavement Coordinator duties

Territory: Baldwin

Essential Job Functions:

• Ensures the delivery of spiritual care services to patients/families and caregivers through personal contact and/or accessing patient/family spiritual counselor.
• Contacts hospice patient/family within five calendar days of patient/family/caregiver request for chaplain services and completes spiritual assessment on all such requests.
• Provides spiritual and/or counseling support as stated in the plan of care.
• Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team in the development, review and revision of the spiritual/counseling component of patient/family plan of care, including exchange of information, review of problems, assessing effectiveness of interventions and documenting outcomes; updates the spiritual component of the Plan of Care.
• Contributes to continuity of care and effective communication between hospice team members.
• Participates in staff orientation of the spiritual aspect of hospice care and issues related to death and dying.
• Serves as on-call Chaplain/Spiritual Counselor.
• Makes visits to patients/families as indicated by the plan of care.
• Participates in and supports community education efforts.
• Works with staff, clergy, and community groups to enhance their sensitivity to the spiritual concerns of patients/families experiencing terminal illness and loss.
• Provides bereavement follow up services as defined by Willowbrook procedures.
• Maintains proper documentation of visits to patients/families.
• Performs occasional liturgical assignments such as the annual memorial service and conducts funeral services as requested.
• Maintains sound privacy and security practices and prevents privacy or security breaches. If breach occurs, takes corrective action.

Requirements:

• Able to tolerate being physically active the entire working day.
• Able to provide appropriate level of assistance in emergency situations. 
• Able to bend, stoop, squat and lift numerous times daily.
• Able to carry out fine motor and manual dexterity skills required to perform treatments/care for the assigned caseload.

• Demonstrates mental acuity and judgment skills to adequately and safely perform job requirements and assure patient safety.
• Able to see and hear adequately in order to respond to auditory and visual needs and clinical indications of the assigned caseload.

Preferred:

• Previous experience in spiritual counseling.
• Previous experience in an official ministerial capacity.
• Understanding of the terminal illness process.
• An understanding of the dynamics related to death and dying and the grieving process.
• An understanding of Medicare regulations, and Joint Commission standards governing the delivery of the spiritual support of hospice services.
• Well organized, with excellent time management and problem- solving skills.
• Ability to execute a supportive, sensitive approach to staff, patients and families with diverse lifestyles, cultures, beliefs and values.
• Current, valid Drivers License.
• Proof of automobile insurance coverage.

HHH

As an employer accepting Medicare and Medicaid funds, employees must comply with all health-related requirements in all relevant jurisdictions, including required vaccinations and testing, subject to exemptions for medical or religious reasons as appropriate.