Chaplain/Spiritual Care Counselor

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

The counselor shall provide spiritual counseling based on the initial and ongoing assessment of spiritual needs of the patient/family, in a manner consistent with standards of practice including, but not limited to the following:

1. Serve as a liaison and support to community chaplains and/or spiritual counselors;
2. Provide consultation, support, and education to the IDT members on spiritual care;
3. Supervise spiritual care volunteers assigned to care givers/family; and
4. Attend IDT meetings when plan of care is reviewed
5. Spiritual/pastoral assessment as indicated and appropriate, is completed within 5 calendar days after admission
6. Spiritual/pastoral support is provided in accordance with on-going wishes and needs of the patient/family
7. Development of an individualized spiritual/pastoral plan of care which:

Demonstrates an effort to work in close collaboration with local clergy whenever desired by the patient

Provides spiritual support as needed and defined by the patient/family

1. Conducting religious services of prayer, worship and rituals for patients/families, as appropriate
2. Offering patients/families of different philosophies and religious beliefs opportunities to discuss and share their thoughts, feelings, beliefs and values
3. Documenting counseling provided in the patient’s clinical record
4. Working with other professionals in resolving spiritual/pastoral/ethical issues
5. Working in a team approach with members of the IDG and other qualified professionals, as determined by the hospice, to evaluate patient/family response to care.
6. Upon request, meeting with individual staff regarding personal spiritual/pastoral issues that may affect their ability to function effectively
7. Assisting in developing and updating the plan of care
8. Being available to staff for bereavement support
9. Assessing patient/family response to and satisfaction with care
10. Participating in development of approaches to meet staff counseling needs             

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

      1. Documented evidence of appropriate training and skills to provide spiritual counseling, such as Bachelor of Divinity, Master of Divinity or equivalent theological degree or training from an accredited school or university.   An individual may qualify as a spiritual counselor without said degree if he/she has documented skills to provide spiritual counseling and has received equivalent training and supervision from an individual who meets one of the above qualifications.

     2.  End of life and/or hospice experience required.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

     1.  Has not been excluded from participating in Medicare and Medicaid programs.

     2.  Maintains eligibility to participate in Medicare and Medicaid programs throughout employment

     3.  Capable of providing emergency care as needed for any patient

    4.  Maintains a neat, well-groomed appearance at all times. Keeps personal appearance appropriate for patient care.

    5.  Ability and willingness to participate appropriately in a disaster or evacuation situation.

    6.  Participate in pre-employment and annual Tuberculosis screening.