Palliative Care | Palliative Chaplain II

Medical University of South Carolina•Charleston, SC

17h•Onsite

About The Position

As an integral member of the interdisciplinary palliative care program, the palliative care chaplain provides spiritual care and emotional support to patients with serious illness and their families. The chaplain works as part of an interdisciplinary team to address the spiritual, emotional, and existential needs of patients and families facing serious illness, death, and dying. This role is crucial in offering comfort, guidance, and support in meaning-making in line with the spiritual and cultural values of each individual. This position will join an existing palliative care chaplain on the adult, inpatient palliative care team at MUSC Health University Medical Center.

Requirements

Master of Divinity (M.Div.) or equivalent from an accredited theological seminary.
4 units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)
Board certification or eligibility for board certification from a recognized chaplaincy organization (e.g., Association of Professional Chaplains) preferred. Commitment to being Board certified within two years of hire date if not yet certified. Commitment to working towards Palliative Care and Hospice Advanced Certification after being Board certified.
Knowledge of and sensitivity to various religious, spiritual, and cultural practices.
Excellent communication skills, including the ability to listen attentively and provide compassionate support, and to document comprehensive care plans in medical record.
Excellent interpersonal and intrapersonal skills.
Ability to work collaboratively in an interprofessional team environment.
Experience working with individuals and families facing serious illness, grief, and loss.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and adhere to ethical guidelines.
Comfort with death and dying, and a compassionate, empathetic approach to end-of-life care; meaningful engagement in a patient and family’s hopes, values, fears, meaning, and purpose.
Ability to maintain appropriate boundaries in clinical care.
Ability to work in transdisciplinary manner.

Nice To Haves

Board Certified Chaplain (BCC), preferred PCHAC (Palliative Care and Hospice Advanced Certification)
Familiarity with legal and ethical issues in healthcare and end-of-life care, including advance directives.
Ability to support families from diverse backgrounds and belief systems.
Experience providing spiritual care in palliative care and/or hospice.
Two years’ experience in hospital-based spiritual care, preferably in palliative care.
Experience with contributing a chaplain’s perspective at family meetings/care conferences.

Responsibilities

Provide a thorough spiritual assessment for palliative care patients
Attend daily rounds and collaborate with the interdisciplinary palliative care team to develop and implement comprehensive care plans to promote patient/family wellbeing and quality of life.
Conduct and document spiritual care assessments, interventions, and outcomes, utilizing standardized spiritual assessment tool (CASH).
Assist in completion of advance directives.
Conduct appropriate religious rituals and spiritual practices as guided by patients and families and in connection with local clergy as necessary.
Collaborate with hospital staff chaplains and community clergy to ensure comprehensive spiritual care of patients and families.
Respond to requests for spiritual, existential, or religious support and offer appropriate resources.
Participate in care conferences, family meetings, interdisciplinary team meetings, quality improvement, and education activities as part of the palliative care program.
Offer guidance to staff on spiritual care needs and provide education about the importance of spirituality in serious illness care.
Assist in the development of educational programs and materials related to spiritual care in the setting of serious illness.
Provide opportunities for self-reflection, self-care, and support to fellow team members and learners.
Make appropriate referrals to other palliative care team members and to other interdisciplinary colleagues.