Spiritual Counselor

Summary:  Responsible for the spiritual component of the Hospice Care Program.  Provides support to patients, families and staff in keeping with their individual belief systems.

Qualifications:

• Degree from an accredited seminary school of theology preferred.
• Completion of two or more unit’s of clinical pastoral education or related experience.
• Member in good standing of jurisdiction of his or her religious organization (if applicable).
• Denominational endorsement in specialized ministry (if applicable).
• Eligible for membership in College of Chaplains.
• Knowledge of emotional effects of death, grief and loss.
• Experience working with families facing serious illness.
• Understanding of Hospice philosophy of care.
• Effective interpersonal skills.
• Ability to accommodate multi-faith beliefs and backgrounds of patients/families.
• Ability to function effectively as part of interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to travel to multi-work locations during workday.
• Reliable insured vehicle and valid Texas Driver’s License.
• Knowledge of applicable State/Federal laws governing hospice licensure.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Perform spiritual assessment of the client and family and spiritual support systems.
• Develop an individual spiritual care plan which demonstrates an effort to work in close collaboration with local clergy whenever possible and provide spiritual support as needed and defined by the client/family/significant other.
• Conduct religious services of prayer, worship/bereavement and rituals for client/families as appropriate.
• Offer clients/families of different philosophies and religious perspectives opportunities to discuss and share their thoughts, feelings, beliefs and values.
• Document spiritual counseling provided in the client’s clinical record that demonstrates client’s response to spiritual counseling.
• Work with interdisciplinary care team to evaluate client/family POC and response to care.
• Understands and adheres to organizational compliance and privacy programs.
• Performs other duties as required and/or requested by management.
• Participate in development of process to meet additional staff counseling and educational needs.
• Work to develop staff and clergy sensitivity to spiritual concerns of terminal patients and their families.
• Participate in orientation of staff and continued education of medical students, nursing students, and other health care professionals including community as appropriate.
• Perform duties necessary to maintain quality standards.
• Assist with community relations and community educational opportunities and events.
• Participate in on-call rotation.
• Identify community resources and assist patient, family and staff with utilization.
• Assist in providing service that fosters the organization’s mission, values, vision and goals.
• Understand and adheres to organizational privacy practices and compliance programs.
• Perform other job related duties as requested by management.

• perspectives opportunities to discuss and share their thoughts, feelings, beliefs and values.
• Document spiritual counseling provided in the client’s clinical record that demonstrates client’s response to spiritual counseling.
• Work with interdisciplinary care team to evaluate client/family POC and response to care.
• Understands and adheres to organizational compliance and privacy programs.
• Performs other duties as required and/or requested by management.
• Participate in development of process to meet additional staff counseling and educational needs.
• Work to develop staff and clergy sensitivity to spiritual concerns of terminal patients and their families.
• Participate in orientation of staff and continued education of medical students, nursing students, and other health care professionals including community as appropriate.
• Perform duties necessary to maintain quality standards.
• Assist with community relations and community educational opportunities and events.
• Participate in on-call rotation.
• Identify community resources and assist patient, family and staff with utilization.
• Assist in providing service that fosters the organization’s mission, values, vision and goals.
• Understand and adheres to organizational privacy practices and compliance programs.
• Perform other job related duties as requested by management.

Degree of Travel: Maximum travel required to patient’s homes, IPU, hospitals, nursing homes and to attend office meetings.

Degree of Disruption to Routine/Overtime: Required to adapt to patient’s/family’s needs. Flexible hours required.

Safety Hazards in Job: Possible late evening hours, accidents, unsafe neighborhoods.  May be subjected to unpleasant living conditions of some patients.   Possible infections from patients.

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