Chaplain

Hillcrest Health & LIving • Council Bluffs, IA

19d

About The Position

Hillcrest Health & Living is seeking a compassionate, thoughtful, and relationship-focused Hospice Chaplain for its Hillcrest Hospice Care team serving patients and families in Iowa. This part-time role provides spiritual, emotional, and bereavement support to hospice patients and their families as they navigate end-of-life care. The chaplain respects each person's beliefs and preferences and offers a calm, supportive presence.

The chaplain works with patients, families, caregivers, and the interdisciplinary hospice team to assess and address spiritual needs, coordinate individualized care, and provide support throughout the hospice journey. The role also includes responding to referrals, assisting with informational visits and consent processes as appropriate, maintaining documentation, coordinating with outside clergy and spiritual resources, and participating in team meetings and the Patient and Family Services on-call rotation. On selected on-call days, the chaplain must be available after hours and on weekends for education, admission paperwork, and spiritual-care needs.

The position requires a bachelor's degree in Theology, Religious Studies, or a similar field and at least two years of experience providing pastoral services. A master's degree, one year of hospice or healthcare bereavement experience, and four units of accredited Clinical Pastoral Education are preferred. The chaplain must be able to travel to multiple locations, maintain a current driver's license and required automobile insurance, and meet the stated physical and communication requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Theology, Religious Studies, or a similar field.
• At least two years of experience providing pastoral services through a church, parish, synagogue, healthcare setting, or similar environment.
• Compassionate, nonjudgmental approach to spiritual care.
• Strong listening, relationship-building, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Comfort supporting patients and families experiencing death, dying, grief, and loss.
• Ability to support people from varied spiritual, religious, and cultural backgrounds without imposing personal beliefs.
• Ability to work independently while staying connected to an interdisciplinary team.
• Strong organization, attention to detail, and documentation skills.
• Ability to remain calm and supportive in emotional or stressful situations and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong professional boundaries and respect for patient choice.
• Ability to collaborate with community clergy and spiritual resources.
• Ability to speak, read, and write English.
• Ability to independently lift up to 35 pounds and perform repetitive sitting, standing, walking, bending, and movement associated with patient visits.
• Ability to use technology and available resources efficiently and effectively.
• Current driver's license and required automobile insurance.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree.
• At least one year of experience providing pastoral support related to death, dying, and bereavement in hospice or healthcare.
• Four units of accredited Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE).

Responsibilities

• Provide pastoral, spiritual, emotional, and bereavement support to hospice patients.
• Provide guidance and support to family members and caregivers throughout the hospice journey.
• Assess spiritual needs and incorporate them into individualized plans of care.
• Respect and support each patient's personal beliefs, values, traditions, and preferences.
• Respond to referrals and help families understand hospice services.
• Assist with hospice informational visits and the consent process for new patients as appropriate.
• Complete assessments, progress notes, care plans, social histories, and other required documentation accurately and on time.
• Participate in care planning, case conferences, and required individual and team meetings.
• Collaborate with nurses, social workers, physicians, aides, and other interdisciplinary team members.
• Identify and communicate spiritual or emotional concerns that may affect patients or families.
• Coordinate support with outside clergy, faith leaders, or other spiritual resources when appropriate.
• Provide prayer, worship, or other spiritual services according to patient and family wishes.
• Assist with or officiate funeral and memorial services when requested.
• Provide education and consultation to team members and community partners.
• Build relationships with healthcare providers, community organizations, and other resources supporting hospice patients.
• Communicate professionally about patient-care needs and concerns and contribute to coordination of patient and family care.
• Participate in the Patient and Family Services on-call rotation and be available on selected on-call days after hours and on weekends for education, admission paperwork, and spiritual-care needs.
• Travel to multiple patient and work locations.

Benefits

• Benefits and insurance options for eligible team members.
• Supportive hospice leadership and an interdisciplinary care team.
• Professional development and continuing education opportunities.
• Dayforce Wallet, allowing team members to choose when they get paid.
• Gym membership reimbursement and partner discounts.
• Meaningful, relationship-centered work with patients and families.
• Opportunities to build relationships with healthcare and community partners.
• Opportunities to grow within Hillcrest Hospice Care and Hillcrest Health & Living.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time