Hospice Chaplain Full Time 40 hours

BRISTOL HOSPITAL GROUP•Bristol, CT

1d•Onsite

About The Position

At Bristol Hospital and Health Care, we begin each day caring today for your tomorrow. We have been an integral part of our community for the past 100 years. We are dedicated to providing the best possible care and service to our patients, residents and families. We are committed to provide compassionate, quality care at all times and to uphold our values of Communication, Accountability, Respect and Empathy (C.A.R.E.). We are Magnet ® and received the 2020 Press Ganey Leading Innovator award for our rapid adoption and implementation of healthcare solutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Use your expertise, compassion, and kindness to transform the patient experience. Make a difference. Make Bristol Hospital and Health Care your choice. Overview: The Chaplain of Hospital and Homecare Services provides spiritual, emotional, and pastoral care to patients, families, and staff, regardless of faith tradition. Serving as a compassionate presence during times of crisis, illness, grief, and transition, this role ensures that spiritual, cultural, and bereavement needs are respected and integrated into the overall plan of care. This position also supports and collaborates with hospice leadership in coordinating and delivering bereavement services in accordance with hospice regulatory requirements.

Requirements

Master of Divinity (MDiv) or equivalent graduate degree in theology, pastoral studies, spirituality, or related field (required)
Strong interpersonal, communication, and crisis intervention skills.
Ability to assess pastoral and bereavement needs effectively.
Ability to convey compassionate care and establish trust.
Cultural humility and ability to provide interfaith support.
Strong organizational and documentation skills

Nice To Haves

Completion of at least four (4) units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) (preferred).
Board Certified Chaplain (BCC) through the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC), National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC), or Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC), or certification-eligible within two (2) years of hire.
Minimum of two (2) years of experience in a healthcare, hospice, or pastoral care setting (preferred).

Responsibilities

Provide spiritual and emotional support to patients, families, and staff in alignment with their beliefs, traditions, and cultural practices.
Respond to emergency situations in the hospital as needed.
Conduct religious services, rituals, and sacraments, or coordinate clergy from the patient’s faith community as appropriate.
Complete spiritual assessments and contribute to individualized care planning.
Document chaplaincy encounters in the medical record in compliance with established policies and standards.
Participate in weekly hospice interdisciplinary team (IDT) meetings, patient care planning, and ethics consultations as needed.
Support staff well-being through debriefings, counseling, education, and ongoing pastoral presence.
Support the hospice bereavement program in accordance with hospice Conditions of Participation.
Complete bereavement risk assessments after death within 5 days and develop individualized bereavement care plans based on assessed level of need.
Provide ongoing bereavement support to families following a patient’s death, including phone outreach, written communication, support visits, and referrals.
Maintain accurate documentation of bereavement assessments, contacts, and services in compliance with regulatory standards.
Develop, implement, and evaluate bereavement programming, including grief support groups, educational offerings, memorial events, and community outreach.
Participation in the Annual Service of Remembrance and other memorial activities.
Coordinate with funeral homes, community clergy, counseling services, and other external resources as appropriate.
Participate in quality improvement initiatives related to grief support and family satisfaction