Pastoral Bereavement Counselor- Hospice - Methodist

Carle Health•Peoria, IL

23h

About The Position

To provide spiritual care and support in accordance with the needs presented and requested by Hospice clients/families in keeping with their beliefs. To coordinate and provide follow-up bereavement counseling and support to family members and significant others as they desire.

Requirements

Master's Degree: Theology
Master's Degree: Related Field
Master's Degree: Counseling
Master's Degree: Sociology
Spiritual care experience
Driver's License - Illinois Secretary of State (ILSOS)
Proof of Auto Insurance

Responsibilities

Provides spiritual support and counseling to clients and caregivers in keeping with their belief and coordinates all activities relating to the spiritual aspect of client care development by the interdisciplinary team.
Performs initial spiritual assessments and assists in the development and implementation of a goal-directed client/caregiver plan of care.
Conducts ongoing reassessments of potential spiritual needs of the client and/or caregivers for issues such as: faith, grief and loss, prayer, illness, theology, healing and brokenness.
Serves as a resource person on spiritual matters to assist the interdisciplinary team in providing a high standard of care consistent with the unique needs of the terminally ill client.
Contacts clergy or other representatives as requested by the client or caregiver.
Makes arrangements for the sacrament(s) as desired: communion, baptism, reconciliation, or anointing.
Observes, evaluates and brings to team conferences information regarding spiritual, counseling and grief/loss issues affecting the client and caregiver.
Provides education or information to clients and caregivers, as appropriate, on: the hospice philosophy, client rights, faith resources, scripture/devotional literature, coping mechanisms, grief, funeral planning, and the bereavement program.
Develops and implements bereavement support to assist clients, families and caregivers in facilitating grief work and closure.
Coordinates and provides bereavement follow-up and individual, group and family counseling as appropriate.
Performs bereavement assessments and assists in the development and implementation of the bereavement plan of care.
Coordinates and conducts the Loss and Grief Support Group meetings.
Plans, coordinates and performs the Hospice Memorial Services for bereaved families, hospice volunteers and staff members twice a year to facilitate grief work and closure.
Coordinates the annual grief camp for children (Camp Courageous).
Participates in the training and education of volunteers as well as supervision of the bereavement volunteers.
May assist with arrangements for funeral or memorial services.
May provide services within the clinical setting of MMCI on any unit in which there is an identified terminally ill patient.
Demonstrates evidence of professional growth and development by maintaining a current knowledge base of diversity of religious backgrounds and developments in the field of ministry and hospice.
Participates in quality improvement processes that result in program process improvements and/or improvements in customer satisfaction.
Remains current with available faith resources.
Assumes responsibility for being informed about developments in ministry and healthcare, specifically hospice.
Assumes responsibility for own personal and professional development and maintenance in the areas of spiritual care, bereavement and loss and grief.
Participates in the orientation program for new staff, volunteers and students as assigned.
Shares education with staff members, clients and caregivers as appropriate.
Participates in quality improvement activities as assigned.
Participates in committees, task teams and agency/health events as appropriate.
Facilitates interdisciplinary teamwork, collaboration and communication among the healthcare team, clients and caregivers, and identified ministers and local clergy, to ensure integrated efforts toward meeting the client/caregiver needs, goals and satisfaction with services.
Ensures quality and safe delivery of care.
Maintains a positive, cooperative relationship with identified area ministers and priests to assure continuity of spiritual care.
Participates in developing and modifying a client/caregiver plan of care in collaboration with other team members.
Identifies when supervision and/or peer consultation is indicated and seeks assistance in clinical management of a case when necessary.
Participates in family conferences when problems are identified to ensure quality of care.
Provides education for staff, clergy and community groups to enhance their sensitivity to the spiritual concerns of individuals experiencing terminal illness and loss.
Maintain contact with clergy or the appropriate representative of clients/caregivers as they desire.