Chaplain

Lower Cape Fear LifeCare•Whiteville, NC

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Hospice Chaplain provides spiritual care directly to terminally ill patients and their families in clinical settings, and indirectly by connecting them with local clergy and religious communities. As a member of the interdisciplinary team (IDT), the Chaplain consults with team members on spiritual care issues and coordinates chaplain services with the team. The Chaplain may also provide community education and consultation on spiritual care and end-of-life concerns when requested. The role includes ongoing continuing education to enhance skills and knowledge, and other duties as assigned. The Chaplain assesses patient and family spiritual needs, develops care plans in coordination with clients and the IDT, and ensures services respect patients’ and families’ beliefs and traditions and comply with agency policies. The Chaplain serves as a liaison with community clergy and religious groups, arranges requested religious ceremonies or rituals when available, and may assist with memorial, remembrance, or celebratory services. The role also includes consultation and education, documentation, keeping the IDT informed of changes or concerns, assisting with volunteer training, and maintaining effective work organization, productivity, scheduling, interpersonal relations, and customer satisfaction. The position serves families of LCFL patients within a specific geographic area and requires daily travel to patient and family homes. Work generally runs Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; hours may include some evenings and weekends. A 1.0 FTE averages 40 hours per week.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in theology or divinity.
At least one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education or its equivalent.
At least two years of experience in pastoral care, counseling, or ministry; health care setting experience is preferred.
Ability to communicate clearly with patients and families about spiritual care needs; English literacy required.
Basic counseling skills, including the ability to listen and assist severely distressed individuals on a daily basis.
Ability to travel safely throughout the geographic area; driving is required and reliable transportation is required.
Ability to learn computerized documentation requirements and use a laptop daily.
Strong team interaction skills and strong verbal, written, and listening skills.
Ability to develop positive interactions with the team, clients, and general public within a short period of time.
Ability to assess clients’ needs for chaplain services, formulate care plans, select appropriate interventions, and evaluate family responses.
Ability to maintain active attention and short- and long-term memory, use basic mathematics, and organize and complete assignments within agency time requirements.
Ability to sit, walk, climb stairs, write, use a computer, and access patient and family homes that may have difficult obstacles.
Hearing and sight needed for driving to and from, and accessing, client homes.
Ability to withstand allergens such as dust, smoke, cigarette or cigar smoke, and fumes; may be exposed to blood or body fluids, dangerous animals, traffic hazards, and temperature or weather extremes.
Must comply with the Safe Driver Policy.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Counseling education is desirable.
Professional license or certification preferred, but not required upon employment.
Experience in a health care setting preferred.

Responsibilities

Assess patients’ and families’ spiritual needs and concerns, and develop appropriate plans of care in coordination with clients and the IDT.
Ensure spiritual care is consistent with patient and family beliefs and traditions and complies with agency policies and procedures.
Serve as a liaison with community clergy and religious communities when outside support is needed, including for rituals and sacraments.
Initiate referrals for religious ceremonies or ritual creation for LCFL patients when requested and available.
Assist provider outreach staff with memorial, remembrance, and celebratory services when requested and available.
Provide consultation and education to clients, IDT members, and the community about spiritual needs and end-of-life care.
Become familiar with and support patients’ and families’ spiritual and cultural beliefs while maintaining the dignity of the dying patient.
Complete required documentation within LCFL time frames and in compliance with organizational policies and procedures.
Keep IDT members informed of changes, needs, or concerns identified by the Chaplain.
Participate in annual continuing education to enhance chaplain skills and knowledge.
Assist with volunteer training as needed, including training volunteer chaplains on their roles and expectations.
Organize and perform work effectively and efficiently, and strive to meet organizational productivity standards for average daily visits.
Maintain and adjust schedules to enhance program performance.
Demonstrate positive interpersonal relations with team members and promote customer satisfaction.
Demonstrate Lower Cape Fear LifeCare’s mission, vision, and values.
Travel throughout the assigned geographic area to visit patients and families.
Perform other duties as assigned.