Hospice Chaplain

Heritage Healthcare Services•Albuquerque, NM

11d

About The Position

The Hospice Chaplain provides spiritual, emotional, and cultural support to patients and families facing terminal illness. As an integral member of the interdisciplinary group (IDG), the chaplain delivers non-denominational, patient-centered care that respects diverse beliefs and cultural practices across New Mexico communities. The role supports life review, coping, grief support, and end-of-life planning in accordance with CMS hospice standards and New Mexico hospice regulations. The chaplain provides individualized spiritual counseling, supports families through anticipatory grief and end-of-life discussions, and offers a supportive presence during active dying and after death. The role also includes collaborating with the interdisciplinary team, coordinating with community clergy and spiritual leaders when needed, documenting care in the EMR, and contributing to bereavement support. Care should honor the cultural practices, ceremonies, and language preferences of communities in New Mexico, including Hispanic, Native American, and rural communities. The position involves travel to patient homes, nursing facilities, and assisted living communities; flexible scheduling based on patient needs; participation in IDG and clinical staff meetings; and an occasional on-call rotation depending on agency structure.

Requirements

Ordination, commissioning, endorsement, or equivalent from a recognized faith tradition.
At least one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) or equivalent experience.
Valid New Mexico driver’s license and reliable transportation.
Ability to provide non-judgmental, patient-centered spiritual support.
Comfort working with people of all belief systems, including non-religious patients.

Nice To Haves

Two or more units of CPE.
Hospice or palliative care experience.
Bilingual ability in English/Spanish or English/Navajo.
Experience working with diverse cultural communities in New Mexico.

Responsibilities

Conduct spiritual assessments at admission and throughout care.
Provide individualized spiritual counseling aligned with patients’ beliefs, values, and traditions.
Support families with anticipatory grief, emotional needs, and end-of-life discussions.
Offer crisis support during periods of distress or transition.
Facilitate life review and meaning-centered conversations.
Offer prayer or spiritual rituals when requested.
Coordinate with community clergy or spiritual leaders as needed.
Provide supportive presence during active dying and post-death moments.
Participate in IDG meetings and collaborate on patient care plans.
Communicate changes in patient or family needs to the team.
Work closely with RNs, social workers, CNAs, the bereavement team, and the medical director.
Document spiritual care visits and findings promptly and accurately in the EMR.
Assist with bereavement risk assessments.
Provide follow-up support to families after death according to hospice policy.
Collaborate with the bereavement coordinator on support groups, calls, and outreach.
Provide culturally respectful care, including respect for traditional practices, ceremonies, and language preferences.
Partner with families and tribal or community leaders when appropriate.
Travel to patient homes, nursing facilities, and assisted living communities.
Participate in IDG and clinical staff meetings and an occasional on-call rotation, depending on agency structure.
Professionally represent the hospice mission and values.