Spiritual Care

Bluebonnet Health Services•Bryan, TX

About The Position

The primary function is to provide spiritual care in the home to terminally ill patients and their families. The Chaplain/Pastoral Counselor assesses patients’ and families’ spiritual needs and provides counseling to address those needs. The role makes reasonable efforts to facilitate visits by local clergy, pastoral counselors, or other individuals who can support patients’ spiritual needs. The position is a core member of the Interdisciplinary Group and reports to the Director of Social and Spiritual Services. The work takes place in patient homes and other healthcare facilities under varying conditions. It requires local travel, prolonged periods of standing, walking, and sitting, and the ability to work under occasionally stressful conditions while meeting deadlines and patient and family needs. The position may involve occasional exposure to infectious diseases, unpleasant weather, and the need to make quick decisions and facilitate support for patients’ and families’ spiritual needs.

Requirements

Good interpersonal skills.
Working knowledge of community spiritual and other resources.
Reliable transportation.
Current auto liability insurance and a driver’s license if a personal vehicle is used for work.
Ability to travel locally.
Ability to make quick decisions and function as a facilitator to meet patients’ and families’ spiritual needs.
Ability to meet mandatory continuing education requirements of the agency.

Nice To Haves

Master of Divinity; preferred and subject to state guidelines.
One year of experience as a Chaplain in a healthcare institution; preferred.

Responsibilities

Assess hospice patients and their support systems to identify spiritual needs, as reflected in plans of care, documentation, clinical records, and Interdisciplinary Group conference minutes.
Provide support for the spiritual needs of patients and families.
Make reasonable efforts to facilitate visits by local clergy, pastoral counselors, or other individuals who can support patients’ spiritual needs.
Attend interdisciplinary team meetings and participate in patient care planning.
Participate in the Quality Assessment Performance Improvement process as required.
Use effective interpersonal relations and communication skills, and facilitate the use of these skills by other team members to achieve desirable outcomes.
Meet the agency’s mandatory continuing education requirements.
Maintain a working knowledge of public and private eligibility standards and requirements to demonstrate professional growth and competency.
Promote the agency’s philosophy and administrative policies to ensure quality of care.
Collaborate with the Interdisciplinary Group to coordinate and maintain continuity of care.
Accept clinical assignments consistent with education and competence to meet the needs of patients and families.