Hospice Chaplain

• The Spiritual Counselor/Chaplain will provide spiritual and emotional care to terminally ill patients and their families to assist in minimizing the stress and problems that arise from the terminal illness, related conditions, and the dying process. Must be able to work with people of various religious faiths and cultures.
• Provides an assessment of the patient's and family's spiritual needs
• Provides spiritual counseling to meet these needs in accordance with the patient's and family's acceptance of this service and in a manner consistent with their beliefs and desires
• Makes all reasonable efforts to facilitate visits by local clergy, pastoral counselors, or other individuals who can support the patient's spiritual needs to the best of their ability
• Advises the patient and family of this service
• Collaborates with other IDG members in the development of the plan of care
• Supports dignity of the dying patient
• Performs religious rituals related to the faith in which he/she is ordained (e.g. administration) of last rites
• Assists with funerals and memorial services
• Provides education to other team members about spirituality
• Acts as liaison between Agency and the spiritual community
• Responds to the mental, spiritual, social, and emotional needs of terminally ill patients and their families
• Provides emotional support through discussion of spiritual/existential issues
• Assists family in understanding the grief process
• Gives referrals to family for community grief support groups
• Allows patient and family to voice their concerns, fears, and feelings
• Responsive to patient’s desires and condition
• Addresses and supports cultural practices, as long as practices do not harm others
• Supports a culture of safety and quality
• Understands hospice philosophy and issues of death and dying

Qualifications

• Education in Hospice philosophy of care, spiritual needs related to end-of-life care, loss, and bereavement.
• Master’s Degree in ministry, counseling, or social work preferred.