Hospice Alliance
Job Title: Spiritual Care Counselor
Reports to: Clinical Team Manager
Hours: Hours will vary depending on the patient census.
SPIRITUAL CARE COUNSELOR GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Summary
Provide spiritual care to patients/caregivers of all age groups and perform spiritual assessments, provide spiritual/pastoral support, and make referrals to meet the needs of the patient/family.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is required to sit, stand and walk a variable amount of time; use hands to handle or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
Work is performed in the Hospice Alliance residential facility, patient homes, skilled nursing facilities or any other place that a patient calls home. There is a potential for exposure to animals, smoke, unpleasant odors and a vulnerability to contagious diseases or infections. This position requires frequent driving which may present danger in inclement weather
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Complete spiritual/pastoral assessment for all patients upon admission according to policies and procedures.
- Provide spiritual/pastoral support in accordance with the wishes and needs of the patient/family.
- Participate in IDG, provide ongoing education to staff regarding the religious and cultural beliefs of patients and families and ensure goals are patient centered.
- Develop an individualized spiritual/pastoral plan of care which demonstrates an effort to work in close collaboration with local clergy whenever desired by the patient/family; and provide spiritual support as needed and defined by the patient/family.
- Conducts religious services of prayer, worship and rituals for patients/families and as requested. May also conduct non-denominational services and memorial services for facilities or the organization as requested.
- Document spiritual/pastoral counseling and care provided in the electronic medical record according to policy and procedure.
- Assess special needs related to cultural diversity including communication role of family members and special traditions.
- May be contacted after-hours by the On-Call Supervisor for assistance in crisis/unforeseen situations.
- Other duties as assigned
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE OF SPIRITUAL CARE COUNSELOR
- Ordained and minister, priest, rabbi, or a member of a religious order preferred or lay person with certified training in pastoral care.
- Masters in divinity preferred but will consider other relevant education, training, and work experience.
- Completion of one clinical pastoral unit preferred.
- Personal /professional experience working with death and dying.
- Familiar/comfortable working with varied spiritual/religious practices