Per Diem Hospice Chaplain

At Bristol Hospital and Health Care, we begin each day caring today for your tomorrow. We
have been an integral part of our community for the past 100 years. We are dedicated to
providing the best possible care and service to our patients, residents and families. We are
committed to provide compassionate, quality care at all times and to uphold our values of
Communication, Accountability, Respect and Empathy (C.A.R.E.). We are Magnet ® and
received the 2020 Press Ganey Leading Innovator award for our rapid adoption and
implementation of healthcare solutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Use your expertise,
compassion, and kindness to transform the patient experience. Make a difference. Make
Bristol Hospital and Health Care your choice.

Overview:
The Hospice Chaplain provides spiritual, emotional, and pastoral care to patients, families, and staff, regardless of faith tradition. Serving as a compassionate presence during times of crisis, illness, grief, and transition, the Chaplain ensures that spiritual and cultural needs are respected and integrated into the overall care plan.  Primary responsibilities will be dedicated to the Bristol Health Hospice organization 22 hours per week, and up to 10 hours per week at Bristol Hospital.

Key Responsibilities:

• 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.
• Document chaplaincy encounters in the medical record in compliance with established policies and standards.
• Participate in weekly hospice interdisciplinary team meetings, patient care planning, and ethics consultations as needed.
• Support staff well-being through debriefings, counseling, and ongoing pastoral presence.
• Provide bereavement support to families after patient death, including follow-up contact and coordination with funeral homes as appropriate.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to organizational policies, Joint Commission standards, and professional chaplaincy ethics.
• Assist the Bereavement Coordinator with bereavement and volunteer activities, including fundraising events and facilitation of the Annual Service of Remembrance.

Performance Goal:

• In alignment with industry standards, complete in-person home evaluations of hospice admissions within 5 days of admission (Day 1 = admission day).
• Strive to meet a goal of at least 90% compliance with this standard.

Qualifications:

• Master of Divinity (MDiv) or equivalent graduate degree in theology, pastoral studies, spirituality, or related field (required).
• Completion of at least 4 units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) (preferred).
• Board Certified Chaplain (BCC) through APC, NACC, or NAJC (preferred, or eligible within 2 years).
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in a healthcare or pastoral care setting (preferred).
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and crisis intervention skills.

Work Conditions:

• Ability to respond promptly to emergencies.
• Work involves exposure to emotionally distressing and sensitive situations.

Cognitive Requirements:

Good communication and listening skills, Ability to determine pastoral needs. Ability to convey compassionate caring and to elicit trust. Individual must be able to understand and relate to theories behind several related concepts and remember multiple tasks given over long period of time. Position requires ability to concentrate on fine details with interruptions.

Bristol Health Mandated Educational Requirement:

Mandatory educational requirements as assigned at the time of orientation as well as the mandatory/regulatory annual educational requirements.

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.