Chaplain

Good Shepherd Hospice•San Antonio, TX

About The Position

Good Shepherd Hospice is seeking a compassionate Spiritual Leader to serve as Chaplain in San Antonio and surrounding communities. The Chaplain assesses the spiritual and religious needs of patients and families and provides or arranges spiritual and religious support, including coordination with community clergy, in accordance with the wishes and beliefs of patients and families. The role includes creating and documenting spiritual care plans, serving as a liaison to patients’ and families’ communities of faith, participating in interdisciplinary care planning, networking with community clergy, supporting staff through loss and patient/family issues, and assuming bereavement service responsibilities as needed. The Chaplain must maintain confidentiality and complete documentation in accordance with hospice policies and procedures.

Requirements

Be ordained, commissioned, or credentialed according to the practices of an organized religious group.
Have at least one year of pastoral care experience in a medical, educational, or religious agency or institution.
Have a minimum of a two-year degree in the pastoral or another applicable field.
Demonstrate commitment to the hospice philosophy of care.
Be able to work weekends, nights, and on call as needed.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in the pastoral field, preferably healthcare-related.

Responsibilities

Complete a spiritual assessment within five days of each patient and family being admitted to hospice and write an appropriate care plan in a timely manner.
Provide spiritual and religious support and services in accordance with the wishes and beliefs of the patient and family and the plan of care.
Offer to help patients and families contact their own clergy or religious leader and inform that person about the situation in the home when appropriate.
Serve as liaison to the patient’s or family’s community of faith and respond to their needs.
Advise the patient’s or family’s clergy or other religious leader about issues related to the patient’s terminal illness when desired by the patient or family.
Document care provided by community clergy and lay persons.
Attend Interdisciplinary Team meetings and participate in establishing and reviewing patient and family Plans of Care.
Network with community clergy to provide information about hospice.
Collaborate with community clergy and Hospice Interdisciplinary Team members to develop and enhance hospice spiritual and religious support services.
Complete appropriate documentation in a timely manner according to Good Shepherd Hospice policies and procedures.
Offer support to staff with loss and patient/family issues.
Maintain confidentiality of patient and family status.
Assume responsibility for Bereavement Services as needed.