Spiritual Counselor

Job Description

Job Description

Swan Hospice is actively seeking a Full Time Spiritual Counselor to join our team in Central New Jersey.

We provide quality hospice care to patients in skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities and in private homes.

A. BASIC PURPOSE

This is a professional position responsible for the provision of non-denominational spiritual care services to patients, families, significant others and/or caregivers. The services are provided either directly or through coordination of care with other spiritual counselors that may include community religious leaders of the patient’s/family member’s faith.

B. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Spiritual Counseling

1. Provides the comprehensive assessment of spiritual needs of hospice patients, families and/or caregivers within five (5) calendar days of patient’s election to the hospice benefit or according to patient/family wishes on the Spiritual Care Assessment Form.

2. Provide consultation and support to patients, families, caregivers and team members in a non-denominational manner or as requested by patient/families/caregivers and documents according to agency policies and procedures.

3. Provides spiritual counseling and support to patients, families, caregivers and significant others in a non-denominational manner or as requested by patients/families/caregivers and documents services provided according to agency policies and procedures/clinical record guidelines.

4. Contacts patient/family’s preferred spiritual advisor/clergy to ensure ongoing involvement and to invite participation in interdisciplinary care planning when requested by team member or patient/family member.

5. Contacts clergy, spiritual counselors or other religious leaders to assist in spiritual care of patients and family members as requested.

6. Develops and documents plan for spiritual care, in conjunction with the Interdisciplinary Care Team (IDT).

7. Participates in IDT meeting and evaluate and revises/updates the comprehensive assessment and plan for spiritual care of patients/ families/caregivers with the IDT on an ongoing basis, as frequently as the patient’s condition requires, but no less frequently than every fifteen (15) calendar days.

8. Maintains records of spiritual care services utilization and related activities for quality assurance, program development and policy and procedure review and revision.

9. Maintains working list of local community rabbis, clergy and spiritual counselors.

10. Provides consultation, education and support to the IDT on spiritual care.

11. Establishes networks with faith communities throughout the service area for the purposes of teaching about the hospice philosophy and enlisting aid in providing spiritual support and attends area ministerial meetings as appropriate and possible.

12. Provides for funeral planning, as well as funeral and/or memorial services for patients as requested.

13. Conducts memorial services for the agency as requested by the Administrator.

Resource Utilization

1. Coordinates travel time for visits and manages a caseload to deliver care in a cost-effective manner that demonstrates an understanding of Hospice reimbursement methodologies.

2. Assures proper maintenance of records per agency guidelines.

3. Participates in evening/weekend on-call as required, conducting on-call services in a clinically competent and responsive manner.

4. Functions independently, but seeks and accepts guidance from other members of the IDT and members of the community, as deemed necessary and appropriate.

5. Complies with local, state and federal laws, Medicare Hospice Conditions of Participation and agency policies and procedures.

6. Conducts all business activities in a professional and ethical manner.

Customer Service

1. Demonstrates the highest degree of customer awareness by seeking out opportunities to identify and meet the needs of internal and external customers.

2. Is receptive to questions and criticism, and willing to offer assistance.

3. Maintains accountability for patient satisfaction throughout the episode of care.

Quality Assessment/Performance Improvement (QAPI)

1. Participates in the performance improvement process by finding opportunities for continuous monitoring and identification of patient outcomes, intra/interdepartmental and environmental concerns.

2. Displays a willingness to utilize problem solving techniques to insure appropriate interventions and resolutions.

3. Participates in clinical record review.

4. Assists and serves on committees and projects as requested.

Secondary Duties

1. Participates in staff meetings, department meetings, hospice IDT meetings, in-services, committees and other related activities as required.

2. Provides educational and informational presentations to community groups, referral sources, volunteers and others in order to promote the agency’s hospice program of care and the multiple services offered.

3. Completes a minimum of twelve (12) hours of in-services per year.

4. Performs other duties as assigned.

C. HUMAN RELATIONS

1. Must maintain a professional attitude and demeanor and is be able to communicate effectively and relate courteously and cooperatively with patients, caregivers, colleagues, supervisors, co-workers and all others.

2. Must be able to demonstrate optimism, enthusiasm and willingness to work constructively with other health care team members and reflect concern for the well being of patients and employees.

3. Interacts with all staff in a positive and motivational fashion supporting the mission and vision of the organization.

D. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS (See Attached Physical Requirements Form.)

1. Visual/hearing ability must be sufficient to comprehend written/verbal communication.

2. Excellent verbal communication skills are needed.

3. Able to effectively manage stress.

4. Manual dexterity sufficient for writing, keyboarding and telephone operation.

5. Able to work in a variety of settings and conditions in patient’s homes and facilities.

E. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

1. Education:

a. Bachelor's degree from an accredited school of theology preferred.

b. Clinical Pastoral Education Training: with a minimum of 2 to 4 C.P.E. credits obtained from an accredited program preferred.

2. Experience:

a. Must have training/experience in dealing with grief and bereavement counseling.

b. Minimum of 1 year experience in providing ecumenical approach in pastoral care and client/family counseling.

c. Experience in home health or hospice preferred.

a. Must demonstrate the ability to be able to work within a multidisciplinary team setting.

d. Understanding of Hospice philosophy and needs of terminally ill.

3. Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification:

a. Must be endorsed and in good standing with a religious order or denomination. Prefer a certificate of ordination or certification.

b. Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation that is insured in accordance with New Jersey requirements.

c. Satisfactory references from employers and/or professional peers.

a. Satisfactory criminal background and national sex offender checks.