Per Diem Hospice Chaplain (Cincinnati, OH)
About The Position
The Hospice Chaplain works under the supervision of the Clinical Director as an integral member of an interdisciplinary team. The chaplain provides spiritual, emotional, and some bereavement care to hospice patients, clients, and families in facilities and in-home settings, and must be knowledgeable about and committed to the hospice philosophy of care. The role also provides spiritual and emotional support to staff and helps connect patients and families with area inter-faith clergy for end-of-life sacramental support and pastoral care. The chaplain conducts spiritual assessments and develops care plans addressing patients’ physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, outcomes, and goals. They document patient visits in the Company’s EMR system and collaborate with the Clinical Director and interdisciplinary team to support holistic care. The position requires strong pastoral and communication skills, empathy and sensitivity when supporting people experiencing pain, suffering, death, and grief, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively with healthcare professionals and people from diverse backgrounds.
Requirements
- Master of Divinity degree or equivalent in an area of theological studies.
- At least four units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE).
- Board certification as a chaplain, or eligibility for board certification through the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) or the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy (CPSP).
- At least two years of pastoral experience in a healthcare setting.
- Excellent communication and pastoral skills.
- Emotional energy and mental alertness, and the ability to support patients and loved ones experiencing pain, suffering, death, and grief.
- Good organizational and decision-making skills.
- Computer literacy and ability to complete extensive, timely charting in the Company’s EMR system.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with people across diverse ages, lifestyles, cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds, religious backgrounds, spiritual beliefs, and values.
- Professional knowledge and clinical ability sufficient to develop and maintain collegial, collaborative relationships with physicians, nurses, social workers, clients, and other healthcare team members.
- Ability to work independently, take initiative, and be accountable.
- Adequate physical and emotional health.
Nice To Haves
- Hospice experience.
- Ecclesiastical endorsement or ordination in a religious setting.
- Demonstrable empathy, compassion, sensitivity, and ability to support patients and families of inter-faith traditions.
Responsibilities
- Provide pastoral and spiritual care to patients and/or families, including visits and ministry with patients.
- Work with the Clinical Director and appropriate colleagues to develop a spiritual care continuum appropriate for hospice patients and families.
- Conduct spiritual assessments and develop care plans that address physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, outcomes, and goals.
- Provide pastoral support at the bedside, funerals, and memorials as requested and needed.
- Document patient visits in accordance with Company and compliance policies using the Company’s EMR system.
- Function as a member of the interdisciplinary team and collaborate to ensure holistic patient care.
- Organize Company-sponsored memorial services as appropriate.
- Provide spiritual and emotional support and encouragement to staff as needed and appropriate.
- Participate in staff meetings, Interdisciplinary Team meetings, and in-services.
- Initiate and maintain communication with area inter-faith clergy.
- Facilitate spiritual care by connecting patients, families, and clergy for supportive end-of-life sacramental support and pastoral care as requested.
- Help educate staff about religious needs and issues that may affect patient and family care and treatment.
- Perform other duties as assigned or requested.
Benefits
- Full-time employees: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care, accident insurance, critical illness insurance, and hospital indemnity.
- Full-time employees: paid time off and paid office holidays.
- All employees: paid sick time.
- All employees: 401(k) with up to 3% company match.
- All employees: referral program.
- All employees: Payactiv pay-on-demand access to earned wages.
