SPIRITUAL ADVISOR - PALLIATIVE CARE

HHC•Indianapolis, IN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Spiritual Advisor develops support systems that integrate the medical, spiritual and psychosocial needs of the patient and their families. This position serves as a bridge between the medical community and the patient's community to provide needed resources at the end-of-life. This position serves as a resource, role model, advocate, mentor for both patients, families, persons in the community and staff.

Requirements

Bachelor degree in Religion, Theology, Psychology, Counseling or related discipline required
Minimum of two years' experience working with persons in the urban community
Proven skills in dealing with complex psychosocial/spiritual issues
Ordained by a faith community
Ability to assess/evaluate patients/families psychosocial, spiritual condition/needs
Ability to develop comprehensive plan for care
Ability to work effectively and cooperatively with multidisciplinary team consisting of professional and paraprofessional persons from various community agencies and hospital departments
Ability to communicate verbally and in writing in a concise, easily understandable manner which includes public speaking/media presentation, staff training and publication in accordance with policy
Understands and effectively communicates with patients/families, necessitating familiarity with the issues of end-of-life/palliative care
Understand and relate to individuals with diverse backgrounds
Ability to develop programs and educational offerings
Ability to prioritize tasks and work effectively with complex issues under pressure/time constraints/schedules
Ability to assess environmental conditions and interactions of family through home visitation
Knowledge of issues/concerns surrounding the dying process
Knowledge of literature/research regarding unique needs of dying patients and their families
Knowledge of spiritual needs of individuals taking into consideration age and enormity of illness
Knowledge of terminal illness coping mechanism and styles
Knowledge of history and issues of diverse ethnic cultures
Knowledge of volunteer recruitment, retention and management

Nice To Haves

Master degree in Pastoral Care and Counseling preferred
Previous work with dying patients/families beneficial

Responsibilities

Provides counseling as indicated
Develops support systems that integrate the medical, spiritual and psychosocial needs of the patient and their families
Serves as a bridge between the medical community and the patient's community to provide needed resources at the end-of-life
Participates in multidisciplinary team meetings for the implementation and coordination of services to ensure appropriate treatment plans and continuity of care
Serves as a resource, role model, advocate, mentor for both patients, families, persons in the community and staff
Alters activities/behaviors to reflect/ensure care appropriate to the age of persons being served
Assesses need for spiritual support/intervention of patients and their families and coordinates and provides appropriate resources to help assist with needs such as bibles, art therapy supplies, games, glasses, etc.
Directs efforts of the community by facilitating collaborative relationships with community agencies and faith communities around the needs of dying patients/families.
Support Palliative Care volunteers within the NODA program including recruitment, education, training, and ensuring volunteers have all necessary resources needed to provide the highest caliber patient care.
Documents assessments, and all other spiritual support, legally, legibly, concisely, per policy/procedure.
Coordinates pro bono legal work with The Indianapolis Bar Association and Palliative Care patients to meet the needs of dying patients to have their legal affairs and wishes including but not limited to assisting with access to patients, locating a notary as needed, etc.
Facilitates education about pro bono services with patients and other community resources
Oversees the coordination, data entry, and volunteer management for the bereavement program for families of Palliative Care patients, as they are followed for 13 months after the death of patients
Works with volunteers and staff to document deaths and contact information allowing for mailing, phone calls and support during the grief process
Serves on hospital and community committees as appropriate/requested