Chaplain

Hospice Chaplaincy/Spiritual Care

Our Chaplains provide spiritual care aligned with Gulfside's mission and values. They offer compassionate support, counseling and guidance to patients and their family members facing end-of-life challenges. They conduct spiritual assessments, facilitate rituals and ceremonies, and offer emotional and spiritual comfort in accordance with individuals' beliefs and preferences. Collaboration with interdisciplinary teams and community resources is essential to provide holistic care. Commitment to empathy, respect, and inclusivity reflects Gulfside's dedication to honoring the dignity and spirituality of each person we serve.

Education and Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in divinity, Theology or Biblical/Pastoral Studies or Bachelor's degree in another area plus 10 or more credits in graduate level Theology and/or Biblical/Pastoral Studies
• Master's degree in divinity, Theology or Pastoral Studies preferred
• Must have one year of healthcare chaplaincy experience in a hospital, palliative care, or hospice setting
• Four Clinical Pastoral Education Units (CPE's) preferred
• Knowledge of common beliefs and practices of diverse religious/spiritual beliefs or existential norms
• Knowledge of varying cultural practices relating to the end of life
• Must possess strong ethical standards and an appropriate professional demeanor
• Deep and abiding compassion for those with life limiting illnesses, their families, and caregivers
• Able to remain calm and professional and troubleshoot/handle patient/family or staff crisis situations
• Must have reliable transportation to perform tasks and responsibilities in a timely and appropriate fashion. Must be able to provide proof of automobile insurance and possess a valid driver's license copies of which will be placed in the employee's file

Essential Job Responsibilities:

• Practices Hospice Chaplaincy/Spiritual Care in a manner that is a model for professional and agency ethics, values and integrity and complies with the letter and spirit of legal aspects
• Adheres to the practice of confidentiality regarding patients, families, and GHS staff
• Comply with all applicable laws and regulations with respect to collaborative agreements
• Is empathic and compassionate with a patient-centered attitude towards accepting death as a part of life and enhancing the quality of life for patients assigned to his/her care
• Conducts initial and on-going spiritual assessment of patient/families
• Assists with the development and implementation of a patient/family personalized care plan which may include spiritual counseling identifying the issues of emotional and spiritual distress that are experienced by people facing the end of life, and articulate appropriate interventions and demonstrate their application
• Provides faith affirmations, theological development, and hears confessions of patient/family amends
• Performs a religious rite or ritual as requested by the patient and/or family; offers blessings and prayer if requested
• Provides case management services relating to spiritual needs for patients/families
• Acts as a resource and liaison for patients and families and their local congregations as needed and/or requested
• Assists in identifying and working with the Social Worker with high risk and/or suicidal patients/families and with patients/families experiencing other kinds of non-medical crises
• Completes clinical documentation, spiritual assessments, clinical notes, and secondary reports in a timely manner
• Meet or exceeds current productive visit measures as set by agency
• Attends interdisciplinary team meetings and functions as an integral part of an interdisciplinary team to enhance the mission, policy and philosophy of GHS; attends case conferences and staff meetings as requested
• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and/or weekends as needed or requested
• All other duties/tasks as deemed appropriate to the position of Hospice Chaplain as requested/delegated or assigned by Spiritual Care Manager and/or Director of Social & Volunteer Services
• Demonstrates continued professional growth and development through participation in educational and in-service training programs for professional staff
• Addresses and supports all GHS policies and procedures; acts in accordance with company standards as outlined in the GHS Policy Manual (Employee Handbook)
• Promotes the company through participation and support of community partnerships and in professional organizations

EEO Statement:

Gulfside Healthcare Services, Inc. is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity ("EEO") and complies with all federal, state, and local laws that prohibit workplace discrimination and unlawful retaliation.