Job Title: Hospice Chaplain/Pastoral Counselor/ Spiritual Caregiver

PRN

Reports to: Clinical Director

Job Summary: Primary function is to serve as the spiritual care specialist, addressing the spiritual needs of hospice and palliative care patients in their place of residence. Conducts spiritual assessments, analysis, counseling, and coordination with patients' own spiritual guides.

Job Qualifications:

Education: Minimum of a Master of Divinity from an accredited college or university. CPE credits preferred.

Experience: One year Chaplaincy experience in hospice or health care setting preferred. Military Chaplain experience acceptable.

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

Transportation: Current driver’s license and auto insurance

Environmental and Working Conditions:

Works in patients’ homes and facilities. Travel locally.

Essential Functions:

• Assesses the hospice or palliative care patient to identify spiritual needs and contributes to the care plan, as evidenced by documentation in the clinical records, and the Interdisciplinary Group/Team (IDG/IDT) conference minutes
• Attends IDG/IDT meetings and participates in the patient care planning process.
• Uses effective interpersonal relations and communication skills and facilitates the use of these skills by other team members to achieve desirable outcomes.
• Demonstrates commitment, professional growth, and competency by maintaining a working knowledge of public and private eligibility standards and requirements.
• Demonstrates understanding of coordination and continuity of care by collaborating with the IDG/IDT.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of care provided using EMR.
• Communicate changes in patient condition to the care team.
• Provide emotional support and guidance to patients, families, and caregivers.
• Ensure that all interventions adhere to hospice philosophy, polices, and regulatory guidelines.
• Applies concepts of infection control and standard precautions in coordinating and performing patient care activities to prevent contamination and transmission of disease.
• Demonstrates commitment and professional growth and competency by participating in the Hospice sponsored in-service programs and maintaining or improving competency.
• Promotes the Hospice’s philosophy and administrative policies.
• Provides effective communication to patients, family, team members, and other health care professionals.

Statement of Understanding: I have read the above job descriptions and essential functions. I understand and agree to carry out these responsibilities as assigned. I will adhere to Lighthouse Hospice compliance with laws and regulations in a professional manner. I understand and acknowledge that nothing contained in this job description may be construed as limiting the employer’s right to discipline or terminate my employment at any time for failure to perform satisfactorily.

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 and family spiritual needs.