Spiritual Counselor

Riverside Hospital • Newport News, VA

1d • $53,900 - $74,150

About The Position

The Spiritual Counselor provides emotional and spiritual support to hospice patients, their families, and caregivers. As a member of the interdisciplinary team, the counselor supports the mission and philosophy of Riverside Hospice Agencies and helps develop and deliver individualized spiritual and pastoral care in accordance with patient and family wishes and needs. The role includes assessing spiritual needs, documenting counseling and other clinical care, participating in care planning and team discussions, and coordinating with local clergy and other professionals when appropriate. The position may include supervising Hospice Spiritual Counselors when assigned, including conducting required supervisory visits for their annual performance reviews.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Pastoral Care or Master of Theological Studies from an accredited university.
• One year of related hospice experience is preferred.
• American Council of Pastoral Education, 1 Unit upon hire (required).
• Valid driver’s license (required).
• Must drive a personal vehicle for Riverside Health System business 25% or more of the time to perform essential job functions.
• Call rotation, weekend shifts, and work or float at more than one work location are required.

Nice To Haves

• One year of related hospice experience.
• ACPE Educator Certification from the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education within two years.
• Board Certified Chaplain certification from the Association of Professional Chaplains.

Responsibilities

• Assess patients and families as appropriate, as soon as possible after admission, and provide support in accordance with their ongoing wishes and needs.
• Develop individualized spiritual and pastoral plans of care, collaborating with local clergy when desired by the patient and providing support as defined by the patient or family.
• Recognize and respond to changes in patient condition or care needs; notify the physician and other personnel of changes and intervention outcomes in a timely manner.
• Communicate information using the organization’s current processes and technology, and notify the physician and team in accordance with departmental policy and applicable CHAP standards.
• Prioritize and delegate tasks to facilitate quality patient care and ensure patient care needs are met; recognize and respond to emergency situations.
• Document counseling in the patient’s clinical record and complete required clinical documentation in accordance with Riverside Health System standards.
• Assist in developing and updating plans of care and assess patient and family responses to, and satisfaction with, care.
• Conduct prayer, worship, and religious rituals for patients and families as appropriate; offer people of different philosophies and religious beliefs opportunities to discuss and share their thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and values.
• Work with other professionals to resolve spiritual, pastoral, and ethical issues.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and care-planning discussions, including meetings where plans of care are reviewed.
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team and other qualified professionals to evaluate patient and family responses to care.
• Participate positively in training and support for team members, volunteers, and students as needed.
• Collaborate with other Hospice Spiritual Coordinators and Counselors as needed.
• When assigned, supervise Hospice Spiritual Counselors and complete required supervisory visits for inclusion in their annual performance reviews.
• Complete applicable continuing education and in-service programs in a timely manner and maintain current clinical knowledge.
• Evaluate personal support needs and use identified systems to address them.
• Demonstrate flexibility and sensitivity in responding to customer and patient needs and build trusting, collaborative relationships with the multidisciplinary team.
• Meet individual productivity measures based on FTE/status and the average number of assigned patients in the caseload.
• Drive a personal vehicle for Riverside Health System business for 25% or more of the time to perform essential job functions.
• Participate in call rotation, work weekend shifts, and work or float at more than one location.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time