Hospice Chaplain Full Time 40 hours

Job Title: Chaplain of Hospital and Homecare Services
Department: Homecare & Hospice
Reports To: Director of Homecare & Hospice
FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Summary

The Chaplain of Hospital, Homecare and Hospice Services provides comprehensive spiritual, emotional, pastoral, and bereavement care to patients, families, and staff across hospital, homecare, and hospice settings. This role ensures compliance with hospice Conditions of Participation (CoPs) and hospital regulatory standards while integrating spiritual and bereavement services into the interdisciplinary plan of care.

Serving as a compassionate presence during times of crisis, serious illness, grief, and transition, the Chaplain supports individuals of all faith traditions and those with no religious affiliation. The Chaplain functions as an active member of the interdisciplinary team (IDT), contributes to ethical decision-making processes, and participates in the development, coordination, and evaluation of bereavement services.

Key Responsibilities

Spiritual & Pastoral Care

• Provide spiritual and emotional support to patients, families, and staff in alignment with their beliefs, traditions, and cultural practices.
   
• Respond to emergency situations in the hospital as needed.
   
• Conduct religious services, rituals, and sacraments, or coordinate clergy from the patient’s faith community as appropriate.
   
• Complete spiritual assessments and contribute to individualized care planning.
   
• Document chaplaincy encounters in the medical record in compliance with established policies and standards.
   
• Participate in weekly hospice interdisciplinary team (IDT) meetings, patient care planning, and ethics consultations as needed.
   
• Support staff well-being through debriefings, counseling, education, and ongoing pastoral presence.
   

Bereavement Coordination & Support:

• Support the hospice bereavement program in accordance with hospice Conditions of Participation.
   
• Complete bereavement risk assessments after death within 5 days and develop individualized bereavement care plans based on assessed level of need.
   
• Provide ongoing bereavement support to families following a patient’s death, including phone outreach, written communication, support visits, and referrals.
   
• Maintain accurate documentation of bereavement assessments, contacts, and services in compliance with regulatory standards.
   
• Develop, implement, and evaluate bereavement programming, including grief support groups, educational offerings, memorial events, and community outreach.
   
• Participation in the Annual Service of Remembrance and other memorial activities.
   
• Coordinate with funeral homes, community clergy, counseling services, and other external resources as appropriate.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives related to grief support and family satisfaction

Qualifications:

Education:

• Master of Divinity (MDiv) or equivalent graduate degree in theology, pastoral studies, spirituality, or related field (required)

Clinical Training:

• Completion of at least four (4) units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) (preferred).
   

Certification (Preferred):

• Board Certified Chaplain (BCC) through the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC),
   National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC), or
   Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC),
   or certification-eligible within two (2) years of hire.
   

Experience:

• Minimum of two (2) years of experience in a healthcare, hospice, or pastoral care setting (preferred).
   

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and crisis intervention skills.
   
• Ability to assess pastoral and bereavement needs effectively.
   
• Ability to convey compassionate care and establish trust.
   
• Cultural humility and ability to provide interfaith support.
   
• Strong organizational and documentation skills
   

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed based on business needs.