Hospice Chaplain - Full-Time

Lighthouse Hospice is driven to provide a professional hospice workplace where the employee is respected and valued. We recognize that creating a culture of trust, kindness and appreciation is required to retain the best talent, dedicated to making a difference in the lives of the people we serve. Our team members all have one special thing in common. We deeply care for each other as much as we care for our patients and families. Each member of our team has been carefully chosen, not only for their exceptional skill set but also for their gifts of compassion and respect for others. We found that hiring people for this reason, combined with creating an environment where each individual can showcase their strengths, enables our team to achieve their highest potential. If you are searching for a great place to work, a place where you can make a real difference, where you can learn and grow with some of the best talent in the area, then we would love to speak with you!

Job Title: Chaplain/Pastoral Counselor/ Spiritual Caregiver

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 referrals to meet the needs of the patients and family.

Job Qualifications

Education: Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in counseling, psychology, or social work from an accredited college or university. Masters of Divinity, preferred.

Licensure: Per state guidelines, if any.

Experience: One year counseling experience in a health care setting; or a religious professional (clergy, religious or theologically trained lay person) who has a combination of documented formal training in pastoral counseling and supervised counseling experience in a health care or clinical setting. The total of supervised work experience must equal at least one year in a clinical or health care setting.

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

Transportation: Reliable transportation and valid auto liability insurance. Current driver’s license.

Environmental and Working Conditions

Works in patients’ homes and facilities. Occasional exposure to infectious diseases; ability to travel locally; some exposure to unpleasant weather.

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.

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Employee Assistance Program, Employee Referral Program, Paid Holidays, PTO Accrual, Short-Term Disability and 401(K).

Salary: $32.00-$36.00/hour BOE

Requirements

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.