Chaplain - Palliative Care - Days - FT

Memorial Hospital at Gulfport•Gulfport, MS

About The Position

The Chaplain provides assessment, guidance, and support for the spiritual needs of patients, families, and employees, and coordinates or assists with religious and spiritual services within healthcare facilities. The role collaborates with treatment teams to support culturally, emotionally, spiritually, and religiously responsive patient- and family-centered care. It also provides consultation, crisis intervention, worship services, staff education, and connections to community spiritual resources. The position practices evidence-based care, maintains documentation, builds cooperative relationships with healthcare personnel and area leadership, and pursues continued professional development. Work is generally performed in a healthcare or office environment, and travel to various locations may be required. Frequent reaching, sitting, walking, and standing may be required.

Requirements

Master's degree in Divinity, Spirituality, Theology, Religious Studies, or a related field.
Board Certified Chaplain (BCC) or certification within a relevant specialty area.
Two years of pastoral care experience in a clinical setting.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
Knowledge of Electronic Health Record (EHR) and other applicable computer-based programs.
Thorough understanding of spiritual belief systems and their impact on healthcare, including multiple faiths, to serve people of all belief systems and perform rituals of all religions.
Excellent listening and verbal communication skills for speaking with people during tragedy, crisis, and emotional upheaval.
Excellent interpersonal skills to communicate with people of all ages and faiths and help them discuss personal problems and emotions.
Analytical skills to evaluate patients and assess spiritual needs.
Leadership skills to lead prayers and religious services effectively.
Ability to facilitate patients, families, or staff in using or developing spiritual resources.
Ability to conduct educational services, religious services, and ceremonies.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Effective decision-making in a changing environment and ability to anticipate future needs.

Responsibilities

Assess, guide, and support the spiritual care needs of patients, families, and employees.
Communicate the availability of spiritual, religious, and cultural support to patients, families, and staff.
Collaborate with treatment teams to provide culturally, emotionally, spiritually, and religiously responsive patient- and family-centered care.
Consult with clinical teams, service lines, and departments to develop and implement improvement initiatives.
Participate in rounding and care team discussions as requested.
Provide crisis intervention during deaths and other tragic events and respond to emergency situations as needed.
Practice evidence-based care and take responsibility for continued professional development.
Consult with interdisciplinary peers on expanded options for spiritual support.
Build cooperative relationships and open communication with healthcare personnel and area leadership.
Complete and maintain documentation of contacts and consultations.
Maintain current knowledge of community spiritual resources and contacts and share information as needed.
Participate regularly in team conferences and other events as requested.
Facilitate support services and develop staff education and training programs as needed.
Conduct or arrange religious worship services in chapels or other locations for patients unable to attend regular services.
Contact and consult with clergy at the request of patients or their families as necessary.
Represent the religious community to the medical facility.