Chaplain

Hillcrest Health • Council Bluff, IA

5d

About The Position

Hillcrest Health & Living is seeking a compassionate, thoughtful, and relationship-focused Hospice Chaplain to serve patients and families in Iowa. The chaplain provides individualized spiritual, emotional, and bereavement support as patients and families navigate end-of-life care, respecting each person's beliefs, values, traditions, and preferences. The role works closely with patients, families, caregivers, and the interdisciplinary hospice team to support dignity, comfort, meaning, and connection.

The Hospice Chaplain assesses spiritual needs and incorporates them into individualized care plans; provides guidance to families and caregivers; responds to referrals; and may assist with hospice informational visits and the consent process. The chaplain maintains timely, accurate documentation; participates in care planning, case conferences, and team meetings; communicates concerns; and coordinates with outside clergy, faith leaders, and community resources. Spiritual services may include prayer, worship, reflection, or other support requested by patients and families. The chaplain may also assist with or officiate funeral and memorial services when requested, and provide education and consultation to team members and community partners.

This part-time role is part of the Patient and Family Services team and participates in an on-call rotation, including selected after-hours and weekend availability for education, admission paperwork, and spiritual-care needs. The position requires travel to multiple patient and work locations, a current driver's license and required automobile insurance, and the ability to perform patient-visit activities and lift up to 35 pounds. Possible exposure to communicable diseases and bodily fluids is noted.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Theology, Religious Studies, or a similar field.
• At least two years of experience providing pastoral services through a church, parish, synagogue, healthcare setting, or similar environment.
• Ability to speak, read, and write English.
• Ability to independently lift up to 35 pounds and perform repetitive sitting, standing, walking, bending, and movement associated with patient visits.
• Ability to travel to multiple patient and work locations and maintain a current driver's license and required automobile insurance.
• Compassionate, nonjudgmental approach to spiritual care and respect for patient choice.
• Strong listening, relationship-building, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Comfort supporting people experiencing death, dying, grief, and loss, including during emotionally stressful situations.
• Ability to support people from varied spiritual, religious, and cultural backgrounds without imposing personal beliefs.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate closely with an interdisciplinary team and community spiritual resources.
• Strong organization, documentation, and attention-to-detail skills.
• Ability to remain calm and flexible in a fast-paced environment and during emotionally stressful situations.
• Ability to utilize technology and available resources efficiently and effectively.
• Strong professional boundaries.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree preferred.
• At least one year of experience providing pastoral support related to death, dying, and bereavement in hospice or healthcare preferred.
• Four units of accredited Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide pastoral, spiritual, emotional, and bereavement support to hospice patients.
• Guide and support family members and caregivers throughout the hospice journey.
• Assess spiritual needs and incorporate them into individualized plans of care.
• Respect and support each patient's personal beliefs, values, traditions, and preferences.
• Respond to referrals and help families understand hospice services.
• Assist with hospice informational visits and the consent process for new patients as appropriate.
• Complete assessments, progress notes, care plans, social histories, and other required documentation accurately and on time.
• Participate in care planning, case conferences, required individual and team meetings, and coordination of patient and family care.
• Collaborate with nurses, social workers, physicians, aides, and other interdisciplinary team members.
• Identify and communicate spiritual or emotional concerns that may affect patients or families.
• Coordinate support with outside clergy, faith leaders, and other spiritual resources when appropriate.
• Provide prayer, worship, or other spiritual services according to patient and family wishes.
• Assist with or officiate funeral and memorial services when requested.
• Provide education and consultation to team members and community partners.
• Build relationships with healthcare providers, community organizations, and other resources supporting hospice patients.
• Participate in the Patient and Family Services on-call rotation and be available on selected on-call days after hours and on weekends for education, admission paperwork, and spiritual-care needs.
• Provide professional communication about patient-care needs and concerns and support education and relationship-building with internal and external partners.
• Travel to multiple patient and work locations.

Benefits

• Benefits and insurance options for eligible team members.
• Supportive hospice leadership and an interdisciplinary care team.
• Professional development and continuing education opportunities.
• Dayforce Wallet, allowing team members to choose when they get paid.
• Gym membership reimbursement and partner discounts.
• Meaningful, relationship-centered work with patients and families.
• Opportunities to build relationships with healthcare and community partners.
• Opportunities to grow within Hillcrest Hospice Care and Hillcrest Health & Living.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time