About the position
The Chaplain/Spiritual Counselor will assist the hospice patient, their family, and/or the primary caregiver by supporting them with tools that address the loss and grief process. The Chaplain/Spiritual Counselor will also help patients/families maintain their spiritual and/or religious practices either directly or through coordination with the patient/family’s designated religious professional if the family requests it. The Chaplain/Spiritual Counselor will provide this service without proselytizing their own personal religious beliefs to the hospice patient, their family, and/or the primary caregiver.
Responsibilities
• Demonstrates a commitment to providing pastoral care interventions which address the physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of death and dying
• Fosters and maintains an effective working relationship between co-workers, patients, and other professional members of the community
• Follows an individualized Plan of Care established by the interdisciplinary team for each assigned patient under the direction of the Hospice Physician
• Delivers services according to a generally accepted standard of practice in a manner that is meaningful to the patient/family, consistent with the patient/family beliefs and their desire for service
• Provides spiritual care either directly or through coordination with the patient/family’s designated religious professional or place of worship
• Facilitates affirmation of faith or spiritual beliefs as the patient/family members indicate
• Provides spiritual care interventions to address such issues as: Abandonment, Anger, Betrayal, Despair, Failure, Fear/dread, Guilt, Hope, Loss of faith, Meaninglessness, Profound sadness, Sense of promise, Religious practices that are comforting to the patient/family
• Assisting the patient/family with funeral planning.
• Pre-bereavement and bereavement support
• Provides supportive listening and presence
• Participates in sacred or spiritual rituals or practices
• Functions as a member of the interdisciplinary team and coordinates care with other disciplines
• Provides counseling and support to hospice staff as needed
• Conducts initial bereavement assessment with family
• Assists the Bereavement Coordinator in planning, organizing, and hosting the Annual Memorial Service
• Immediately reports any changes to the RN Case Manager and/or interdisciplinary team
• Reports unusual conditions, observations, and pertinent information to the RN Case Manager
• Complies with all documentation polices/procedures
• Completes appropriate documentation in a legible and timely manner
• Participates in performance improvement activities as requested
• Adheres to patient rights, abuse reporting, and confidentiality policies
• Attends scheduled staff meetings and in-service training
• Adheres to departmental dress code requirements related to uniform, personal grooming, and other attire
• Demonstrates reliability by making every attempt to report to work on time, providing proper notification for absence or tardiness, participating in required meetings
• Demonstrates ability to problem-solve and make decisions by assessing situations and considering alternatives, seeking guidance and direction as necessary, and utilizing proper chain of command
• Demonstrates effective time management skills by coordinating activities to achieve maximum productivity and efficiency, willingness to adjust or revise work schedules as requested
• Assumes responsibility for on-going personal development and continuing education
• Stays current with all mandatory agency and regulatory requirements
• Completes assigned projects within specified time frames
• Other duties as assigned
Requirements
• Must have the strength and endurance required for standing, walking, lifting, bending, going up and down stairs, and pushing and pulling, on a consistent basis, at least 20 lbs.
• Must use appropriate body mechanics for Chaplain/Spiritual Counselor duties as identified in the scope of practice
• This position is Category 2 for potential exposure to blood/body fluids. (Does not usually require the performance of procedures or other tasks in the work routine that involve exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues, but Category 2 tasks may require the unexpected performance of these procedures)
• Able to utilizes appropriate PPE as needed
• Follows the designated plan of action in the event of a fire or other disaster/emergency
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to fumes or airborne particles, work- related stresses and driving hazards
• This individual may be required to drive to meetings with clients, health care professionals or patient’s homes
• The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal
• Must be tolerant and sensitive to the faith and belief of others
• Must be able to communicate well and uplift others without being judgmental
• Successful completion of a background check pursuant to NRS 449.188 and NRS 179A.100 along with a pre-employment drug screen and physical, TB testing, previous employment and reference checking, and an MVR (may include verification of education)
• Must be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language
• Must be able to handle frequent interruptions
• Must be able to cope with emotionally charged situations encompassing, patients, families, and other caregivers
• Must possess reliable transportation, have a valid driver’s license, and maintain current auto insurance
• Must have CPR/BLS Certification
Nice-to-haves
• A Masters of Divinity, or Masters of Pastoral Care and Counseling is preferred, but not required. Evidence of formal training in theology, philosophy, of thanatology is also considered