SUMMARY: To provide spiritual care to patients/caregivers of all age groups and perform spiritual assessments, provide spiritual/pastoral support and make referrals to meet the needs of the patient/family.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assess hospice patient/family to identify spiritual needs and develop individualized spiritual plan of care. Collaborate with local clergy as needed. Assist in development and update of the comprehensive POC.
• Conduct services of prayer, worship and ritual for patient/families, as appropriate, offering different philosophies and belief opportunities to discuss and share.
• Provide individual patient/family counseling, crisis intervention, information and assistance with preparation of advance directives, funeral planning issues and transfer of responsibilities relative to legal and fiscal issues.
• Work with IDT, participating in the ongoing POC, developing, documenting, and evaluating responses to interventions in order to update the POC to meet spiritual needs of patient and family.

• Work with other staff, resolving spiritual/pastoral/ethical issues. Be available for bereavement or counseling needs.
• Use effective interpersonal relations and communication skills to work with family members as needed and to assist in planning for discharge and for bereavement, utilizing local clergy as needed.
• Complete appropriate documentation in a timely manner.
• Assess patient/family response to and satisfaction with care.
• Make visits to patient/family prior to death and be available to family during the bereavement period as needed.
• Meet mandatory continuing education requirements of the agency and participate in in-service programs.
• Promote Agency philosophy and administrative policies to ensure quality of care.
• Maintains accurate, complete, and timely clinical notes.
• Fulfills additional performance responsibilities as assigned and as necessary.

Supervisory Responsibility: 

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications and Experience: 

• High School Graduate, Degree/License in Counseling preferred
• Must be a responsible, detail-oriented individual.
• Must maintain neat and clean appearance.
• Must be dependable and have a professional work ethic. 
• Ability to work independently and as a contributing team member.
• Ability to work under stressful conditions to meet deadlines and patient/family needs.

Experience:

• Experience in spiritual or religious organizations.
• One-year chaplain experience, in health care institution, is preferred. 

Language skills:

• Ability to read and write English. Spanish preferred but not required.
• Basic computer skills preferred.

Licenses: 

• Valid State of Texas Driver’s License with good driving record.
• Currently registered to practice within the state of operation without restrictions.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift 35 - 45 pounds.
• Use hands to grip or feel. 
• Reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally required to bend, stoop and kneel.
• Frequently required to stand on one’s feet for a long period of time. 
• Ability to deal effectively with stress.

Working Conditions:

• Works in office and homes in various conditions.
• Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset clients, family members, staff, visitors, etc. under all conditions/circumstances. 
• May be exposed to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc.
• Ability to travel locally with some exposure to unpleasant weather. 
• Risk level- Low