Hospice Spiritual Support / Chaplain

About the position

Under the direction of the Team Leader, the Spiritual Support position provides non-denominational spiritual care services to patients, families, significant others and/or caregivers, and to members of the Northern Illinois Hospice interdisciplinary team (IDG). Provides assistance at the time of the patients’ death and support of the family as requested. The services are provided either directly or through coordination of care with other spiritual counselors that may include community religious leaders of the patient’s/family member’s faith.

Responsibilities

• Provides the comprehensive assessment of spiritual needs of hospice patients, families and/or caregivers within five (5) calendar days of patient’s election to the hospice benefit or according to patient/family wishes on the Spiritual Care Assessment Form.
• Provide consultation and support to patients, families, caregivers and team members in a non-denominational manner or as requested by patient/families/caregivers and documents according to agency policies and procedures.
• Provides spiritual counseling and support to patients, families, caregivers and significant others in a non-denominational manner or as requested by patients/families/caregivers and documents services provided according to agency policies and procedures/clinical record guidelines.
• Works with interdisciplinary team members, clergy, and community groups to enhance their sensitivity to the spiritual concerns of patients/families experiencing terminal illness and loss.
• Contacts patient/family’s preferred spiritual advisor/clergy to ensure ongoing involvement and to invite participation in interdisciplinary care planning when requested by team member or patient/family member.
• Participates in the interdisciplinary group (IDG) meeting, evaluates and revises/updates the comprehensive assessment and individualized plan of care for spiritual care of patients/ families/caregivers with the IDG on an ongoing basis, as frequently as the patient’s condition requires, but no less frequently than every fifteen (15) calendar days.
• Maintains working list of local community rabbis, clergy and spiritual counselors.
• Develops and documents individualized plan of care to meet spiritual needs.
• Coordinates the assessment and delivery of grief counseling needs and services to ensure timely and appropriate services are provided to patients, family/caregivers.
• Provides bereavement follow up as assigned.
• Serves as liaison with faith communities throughout the service area to support patient and/or family requests and offer education about the hospice philosophy and enlisting aid in providing spiritual support through congregations.
• Contacts clergy, spiritual counselors or other religious leaders to assist in spiritual care of patients and family members as requested.
• Provides funeral or memorial services for hospice patients as requested.
• Works with the NIH Memorial Service Planning Committee to plan and execute the annual ceremonies.
• Complies with local, state and federal laws, Medicare Hospice Conditions of Participation and agency policies and procedures.
• Available to patients and families in the 'On-Call' rotation for spiritual counseling/grief issues and assists with psych-social, crisis and/or death visits.
• Assists with the staff bereavement program and monthly newsletters as directed by the Bereavement Coordinator or Director of Clinical Services.
• Remains current on local, state, and federal laws and regulations governing the operations of hospices.
• Provides and promotes superior customer service, exhibits good communication skills with patients, families, team members and professional community. Presentations as assigned.
• Participates in quality improvement activities to ensure highest levels of service.
• Participates in staff meetings, department meetings, hospice IDT meetings, in-services, committees, and other related activities as required.
• Maintains confidentiality according to HIPAA requirements of patient and family regarding disease/diagnosis, financial, and other information obtained during employment.
• Demonstrates the Model visit on each visit encounter.
• Follows safety education including physical ergonomics.
• Maintains personal and professional boundaries.
• Provides accurate and timely documentation, including pertinent and complete data in the electronic medical record, according to documentation guidelines.

Requirements

• Preferred Masters Prepared candidate or Graduate of accredited seminary or school of theology with appropriate Clinical Pastoral Education Training with a minimum of 2 to 4 C.P.E. credits obtained from an accredited preferred program.
• Certificate or degree in pastoral ministry.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation that is insured in accordance with Illinois requirements.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience as a chaplain/spiritual counselor, preferred. Active patient contact within past three years, preferred.
• Experience working with death and dying, individuals/family/caregiver and experience with clinical grief and/or pastoral counseling.
• Ability to work independently, make accurate, and at times, quick judgements.
• Ability to respond appropriately to crisis in community or facility setting.
• Acceptance of and adaptability to different social, racial, cultural, and religious modes.
• Local residence with ability to respond to on-call within 30 minutes.
• Meets agency requirements for criminal background check.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Benefits Package Access a well-rounded benefits package designed to support your well-being.
• Choice of Medical Plans: Choose from two medical plans tailored to fit your unique healthcare needs.
• Health & Wellness Accounts: Manage expenses with a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
• Dental and Vision Insurance: Keep your smile bright and vision sharp with our dental and vision insurance options.
• Company-Paid Life & AD&D Insurance: Gain peace of mind with fully covered basic life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance.
• Company-Paid Disability Coverage: Stay protected with employer-paid short-term and long-term disability plans.
• 401(k) with Company Match: Build your future with Roth and Traditional 401(k) options, plus a company match every pay period.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Enjoy PTO that grows with your years of service.