Hospice Chaplain (PRN)

Primary function is to provide spiritual care to patients/caregivers of all age groups and perform spiritual assessments, provide spiritual/pastoral support and make referrals to meet the needs of the patient/family.

Essential Functions

• Assess hospice patient/family to identify spiritual needs and develop individualized spiritual plan of care.
• Collaborate with local clergy as needed. Assist in development and update of the comprehensive POC.
• Conduct services of prayer, worship and ritual for patient/families, as appropriate, offering different philosophies and belief opportunities to discuss and share.
• Provide individual patient/family counseling, crisis intervention, information and assistance with preparation of advance directives, funeral planning issues and transfer of responsibilities relative to legal and fiscal issues.
• Work with IDT, participating in the ongoing POC, developing, documenting, and evaluating responses to interventions in order to update the POC to meet spiritual needs of patient and family.
• Work with other staff, resolving spiritual/pastoral/ethical issues. Be available for bereavement or counseling needs.
• Use effective interpersonal relations and communication skills to work with family members as needed and to assist in planning for discharge and for bereavement, utilizing local clergy as needed.
• Complete appropriate documentation in a timely manner.
• Assess patient/family response to and satisfaction with care.
• Make visits to patient/family prior to death and be available to family during the bereavement period as needed.
• Meet mandatory continuing education requirements of the agency and participate in inservice programs.
• Promote Agency philosophy and administrative policies to ensure quality of care.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education: In good standing with denomination or religious affiliation College degree preferred; Masters of Divinity preferred

Licensure: State Drivers License

Experience: Experience in a spiritual or religious organization. One (1) year experience as a Chaplain in a health care institution preferred.

Skills: Working knowledge of community spiritual resources. Good interpersonal skills.

Transportation: Reliable transportation. Valid auto liability insurance.

Environmental and Working Conditions:

Works in patient homes in various conditions. Occasional exposure to infectious diseases; ability to travel locally; some exposure to unpleasant weather.

Physical and Mental Effort:

Prolonged standing, walking and sitting required; requires working under some stressful conditions to meet deadlines and patient/family needs; and to make quick decisions and resource acquisition; meet patient/family spiritual needs.