Hospice Chaplain

POSITION SUMMARY: The Chaplain assists patients and family members to identify and address spiritual issues related to the end of life (e.g., meaning, relationship, hopes, and fears). The Chaplain provides comfort and support by drawing upon each individual’s spiritual perspective and/or faith traditions.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:       

1. Conducts comprehensive spiritual assessment of patient/family units to determine needs and dynamics. Documents findings in a manner consistent with hospice standard.
2. Functions as a member of the interdisciplinary team (IDT) to formulate a plan of care for patient/family and/or other caregivers in consultation with other IDT members.
3. Observes, evaluates and brings to team conferences information regarding psychosocial, spiritual, physical and financial conditions affecting the patient and family.
4. Assesses the spiritual needs of the patient and/or family members, as appropriate.
5. Provides individual and family spiritual support at regular intervals consistent with the patient’s plan of care.
6. Coordinates spiritual care with the hospice team and the patient’s identified clergy.
7. Documents all family contacts and interventions and maintains accurate and up-to-date patient records and care-plans.
8. Contributes to communication, positive work environment, and team effort.
9. Responsible to maintain knowledge and skills and to effectively complete assigned duties including knowledge of organizational policies and information presented at agency meetings and in-services.
10. Serves as assigned on agency-wide initiatives and/or activities.
11. Demonstrates commitment to continually improving the quality of services and participates in the Quality Assessment Performance Improvement Program (QAPI), as requested.
12. Integrates QAPI into spiritual components of care.
13. Demonstrates flexibility and accepts other duties as assigned.
14. Attends required in services education.
15. Maintains confidentiality of patient information as appropriate.

JOB EXPECTATIONS:

1. Maintain patient/family confidentiality, adhering to HIPAA requirements.
2. Demonstrate self-management skills, time tracking, communicating and tabulating results with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
3. Ability to work successfully with a variety of organizations and individuals.
4. Ability to organize, prioritize, assess, and communicate effectively.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Commitment to serving the needs of the terminally ill.
2. Ordination or other spiritual/pastoral training required.
3. Hospice, hospital chaplaincy and/or experience working with terminally ill individuals and their families preferred.
4. Ability to assess the spiritual needs of patients and families and to initiate appropriate interventions.
5. Knowledge of and respect for a broad variety of spiritual and religious traditions.
6. Ability to work as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
7. Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
8. Intermediate skills in email, word processing, internet, keyboarding, and the ability to learn to use medical software to complete accurate and timely charting.
9. Valid Driver’s License with a reliable and insured vehicle.

OSHA CATEGORY:

            Category II:  Tasks that involve no exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues but employment may require performing unplanned Category I tasks.