Hospice Chaplain

Sanford Health•Bismarck, ND

7d•$18 - $28

About The Position

Provides spiritual care and counseling for patients and family members in a caring, safe, and efficient manner, in accordance with each individual's plan of care. Also provides spiritual support for the agency and its employees. Supports the organization's mission and vision by assessing patients' and families' spiritual needs at admission and throughout care, and coordinating with them and the interdisciplinary team to establish, review, and revise each patient's plan of care. Provides individual spiritual care as needed or requested, consistent with patients' and families' beliefs and plans of care; administers or coordinates sacraments; and demonstrates respect and sensitivity toward diverse faith traditions and cultures. Encourages and supports employees in providing spiritual care, evaluates the need for additional services, and ensures personalized and sacramental ministries. Completes accurate, timely, and compliant documentation; educates healthcare groups on spiritual and religious care and chaplain responsibilities; and networks with community clergy and other faith leaders as needed. The role requires knowledge of and belief in hospice care, experience providing spiritual counseling, and comfort with aging, grief, loss, and death. The chaplain follows the Association of Professional Chaplains Code of Professional Ethics and spiritual ministries policies and procedures, responds to referrals and consults in a timely manner, and uses critical thinking in challenging situations. The position also requires awareness of personal biases, effective professional relationships, initiative, and leadership as needed. Participation in scheduled staff meetings is expected. Depending on location, on-call service may be required.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited School of Theology with the Association of Theological Schools (seminary or equivalent); a Master of Divinity or Master of Theology degree is strongly preferred.
Completion of two units of Clinical Pastoral Education, or chaplain certification or credentialing, is preferred. One unit is defined as 400 hours: 300 hours of clinical ministry and 100 hours of group experience under the supervision of a certified CPE program supervisor.
Must be an active member in good standing of a Christian denomination, as described in Good Samaritan Society's “A Description of Being Christian in the Lutheran Tradition.”
Must be ordained, licensed, or commissioned to function in a religious vocation by an appropriate religious authority.
Must provide written verification of ordination, licensure, or commissioning status before being hired.
Must have a current valid driver's license and meet all medical guidelines for Sanford Health Category III drivers.
Must have knowledge of and belief in the hospice concept of care.
Must demonstrate knowledge and experience providing spiritual counseling for patients, clients, family members, and staff.
Must demonstrate awareness and comfort with aging, grief, loss, and death.
Must follow the Association of Professional Chaplains Code of Professional Ethics.
Must demonstrate awareness of personal biases and the ability to set them aside at work.
Must be able to establish and maintain effective professional relationships.

Nice To Haves

Master of Divinity or Master of Theology degree.
Completion of two units of Clinical Pastoral Education or chaplain certification or credentialing.
Endorsement or affirmation for this ministry by the candidate's denomination.
Previous and extensive pastoral experience.
Training in hospice and grief work.

Responsibilities

Assess patients' and families' spiritual needs at admission and throughout the course of care.
Coordinate with patients, families, and the interdisciplinary team to establish, review, and revise each patient's plan of care.
Provide individual spiritual care to patients and family members as needed or requested, consistent with their beliefs and the plan of care.
Administer or coordinate the administration of sacraments and ensure personalized sacramental ministries.
Support the agency and its employees spiritually; encourage, train, and empower employees in providing spiritual care.
Evaluate the need for additional services.
Complete documentation accurately, completely, and on time, in compliance with policies, procedures, and regulations.
Educate internal and external healthcare groups about spiritual and religious care and chaplain responsibilities.
Network with community clergy and other faith leaders as needed.
Address spiritual care referrals and consultations in a timely manner and follow spiritual ministries policies and procedures.
Use critical thinking to respond appropriately to patients, residents, clients, and families in adverse situations.
Participate in scheduled staff meetings, demonstrate initiative with events, and provide leadership when necessary.
Serve on call as assigned when required by location.