Hospice Chaplain

America's Home Health Services•Worcester, MA

19d•Hybrid

About The Position

Comfortia Hospice is seeking a compassionate, experienced Hospice Chaplain to join their interdisciplinary team. The role involves providing individualized spiritual care that honors each patient's beliefs, values, culture, and wishes, addressing not only physical needs but also the emotional and spiritual well-being of patients and families. The Chaplain will assess, plan, implement, and document spiritual care services, acting as an integral member of the interdisciplinary group (IDG) and collaborating with other healthcare professionals to ensure holistic, patient-centered care. The position emphasizes respecting the patient's right to choose or decline spiritual services and providing care without discrimination.

Requirements

Graduate degree in Divinity, Theology, Pastoral Care, Religious Studies, or a closely related field from an accredited institution; OR Equivalent theological education recognized by the applicant's faith tradition; OR Qualifications consistent with the standards of the applicant's religious denomination or faith group to provide professional spiritual care.
Minimum of one (1) year of experience providing spiritual or pastoral care in healthcare, hospice, hospital, palliative care, long-term care, or similar setting preferred.
Strong interpersonal and active listening skills.
Ability to support individuals from all faiths and those with no religious affiliation.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently while functioning collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team.
Strong organizational and documentation skills.
Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.
Compassion, empathy, emotional resilience, and cultural sensitivity.

Responsibilities

Complete comprehensive spiritual assessments for hospice patients and families.
Develop and implement individualized spiritual care plans.
Provide spiritual counseling, emotional support, prayer, rituals, sacraments (when appropriate), and compassionate presence based on patient preference.
Respect each patient's faith tradition, personal beliefs, cultural practices, or decision to decline spiritual care.
Coordinate with community clergy, faith leaders, and religious organizations at the patient's request.
Participate as an active member of the Hospice Interdisciplinary Group (IDG).
Collaborate with physicians, nurses, social workers, hospice aides, volunteers, and bereavement staff to ensure coordinated care.
Document all assessments, visits, interventions, patient responses, and care plan updates in the electronic medical record in accordance with Medicare and Massachusetts hospice regulations.
Participate in care conferences and ongoing plan of care reviews.
Provide spiritual support during actively dying and end-of-life transitions.
Offer grief support and participate in bereavement services as appropriate.
Assist patients and families with advance care planning, legacy work, life review, forgiveness, reconciliation, and meaning-centered conversations.
Respond to urgent spiritual care needs during evenings, weekends, or holidays as assigned.
Educate staff regarding spiritual issues impacting patient care.
Maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA requirements.
Participate in agency orientation, continuing education, quality improvement activities, and mandatory in-service training.