Chaplain

Hospice Chaplain

The Hospice Chaplain is responsible for the provision of spiritual care services to patients/families/caregivers of Centrica Care Navigators, either directly or through coordination of care with other spiritual counselors. The Chaplain provides services to those patients/families/caregivers who elect to receive this service from the time of admission through the date of discharge, transfer or death. When requested by the Grief Support Counselor and the family/caregiver, spiritual care services may be provided in the bereavement phase of care.

Primary Duties:

• Assures spiritual assessment of patients/families/caregivers in the Hospice Program who request spiritual care services is conducted within established time frames.
• Participates in the development of the individual Plan of Care to meet identified spiritual needs.
• Provides direct spiritual care to patients/families/caregivers based on identified needs in the initial/ongoing assessment and Plan of Care.
• Documents spiritual care services and ongoing communication with community chaplains and spiritual counselors in the patient’s clinical record within a timely fashion.
• Serves as a member of the Interdisciplinary Team, reporting on the spiritual status of the patient/family/caregiver during team meetings and morning report, as appropriate.
• Provides consultation, education and support to the Interdisciplinary Team on spiritual care.
• Officiates at funeral or memorial services for patients as requested and appropriate.
• Provides spiritual grief support for facility staff when appropriate.
• Shares in responsibility of providing 24 hours per day, seven (7) days a week on-call coverage to patients/families/caregivers.
• Actively participates in agency-wide performance improvement activities.
• Adheres to Centrica Care Navigators’ standards of personal and professional conduct.
• Demonstrates an understanding of and commitment to the agency philosophy of care, agency mission, and vision.
• Ensures that all necessary information is shared with appropriate personnel.
• Adheres to Centrica Care Navigators’ Workplace Safety Program.
• Understands and complies with Hospice Medicare and Medicaid conditions of participation.
• Complies with applicable local, federal and state regulations, compliance guidelines, privacy protections and protected health information.

Qualifications:

• Graduate of accredited seminary or school of theology (BD, M. Div., or equivalent theological degree) and have completed at least one Clinical Pastoral Education unit.
• Experience with issues concerning the terminally ill and death and dying.
• Presents a negative TB skin test and/or chest X-ray and other tests as required by Centrica Care Navigators.
• Maintains a valid Michigan driver’s license and has the availability of a reliable, licensed and insured vehicle for use on the job, vehicle must be insured in accordance with the State of Michigan.
• Remains up-to-date on all routine immunizations required by LARA and agency policy.

Specialized Skills:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Good organizational skills.
• Ability to accept different lifestyles, cultures, beliefs, and values.
• Excellent internal and external organizational sensitivity.
• Strong clinical skills with emphasis on knowledge of the spiritual impact of death, dying, grief and loss.

Working Conditions:

• General office, multi-office sites, and floors.
• In and out of automobile.
• Community home environment, including adult foster care homes, assisted living, nursing homes, or other residence of the patient.
• Exposure to infectious disease.
• Frequent telephone activity.

Physical Requirements:

• A typical eight (8) hour workday includes intermittent sitting, standing, walking, bending, reaching, twisting, and repetitive hand motions associated with writing and computer keyboard typing.

Continuing Education Requirements:

• Centrica personnel are expected to participate in appropriate continuing education as may be requested and/or required by their immediate supervisor.
• In addition, Centrica personnel are expected to accept personal responsibility for other educational activities to enhance job-related skills and abilities.
• All personnel must attend mandatory educational programs.