Hospice Chaplain: Part Time at The Highlands at Wyomissing

Summary of Responsibilities: The Chaplain Supports the mission of Aspire for Well-Being^® Hospice at The Highlands at Wyomissing by promoting the spiritual wholeness for residents of all faiths and denominations by providing emotional and spiritual support to residents and their families as appropriate.

Essential Functions/Duties:

• Takes initiative in reaching out to residents in each area of The Highlands at Wyomissing and patients served in the surrounding community to provide a listening ear and spiritual nurture.
• Offers comfort to residents/patients and families in distress, bereavement in the time of death of a loved one and opportunities for the sharing of personal grief.
• Recognizes and advocates for patients/residents’ rights of privacy, dignity, religious and cultural beliefs.
• Offers support for those who have lost hope or purpose for the future.
• Relates directly to the Hospice Director of Clinical Services at Aspire for Well-Being Hospice at The Highlands at Wyomissing.
• Assures spiritual assessment of patients and families/caregivers in the hospice program and appropriate services are rendered in a timely manner.
• Facilitates the development of the individualized plan of care by participating in the comprehensive assessment to meet identified spiritual needs.
• Provides direct spiritual care to patients and families/caregivers.
• Serves as liaison and support to community chaplains and spiritual counselors.
• Maintains records of spiritual care services utilization and related activities for quality assurance, program development, and policies and procedures review and revision.
• Documents direct services and ongoing communication with community chaplains and spiritual counselors.
• Attends patient care conference and interdisciplinary group meetings as a member of the interdisciplinary group.
• Provides consultation, education, and support to the interdisciplinary group on spiritual care.
• Recruits’ community chaplains, spiritual counselors, and spiritual care volunteers adequate to meet patient and family/caregiver needs by developing community contacts and offering education through congregations about hospice care.
• Actively participates in quality assessment performance improvement teams and activities.
• Provides funeral or memorial services for patients as requested.
• Plans periodic memorial services to meet the needs of personnel, volunteers, and community clergy/spiritual counselors working with the hospice team.
• Aid in assisting spiritual care volunteers when assigned to patients/ families/caregivers.
• Participate in and complete all required ongoing training, including monthly online and in-person training, annual skills competencies education, and role-specific certifications, to ensure continued competence and adherence to organizational and regulatory standards.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Comfortable working with individuals in emotionally sensitive and end-of-life situations.
• Competency with EMR systems and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).

Core Values:

1. AMBASSADOR: Represents The Highlands at Wyomissing® in a positive light with integrity. Takes pride in our community.
2. COMMITMENT: Dedicated, adaptable, tolerant, dependable, focused, and passionate. Often does more than is required. Reports to work as scheduled and timely.
3. COMPASSIONATE: Is empathetic, mindful, and kind.
4. INNOVATIVE: Is curious. Identifies new methods and efficiencies.
5. RESULTS-DRIVEN: Has a strong sense of urgency about solving problems and completing work. Exerts unusual effort over time to achieve a goal. Maintains commitment to goals in the face of obstacles and frustrations.
6. TEAM ORIENTED: Works cooperatively and effectively with others to achieve common goals.

The Highlands’ Traditions (Customer Service Expectations):

1. SAFETY: Practices safe behaviors to ensure the safety of all.
2. KINDNESS: Projects a positive image and energy. Courteous and respectful to all. Goes above and beyond to exceed customer expectations.
3. SHOW: Takes pride in self-appearance. Stays in “character” and performs the “role in the show.” Ensures work area is show-ready.
4. EFFICIENCY: Performs role with consistency and efficiency. Uses time and resources wisely.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• This is a part-time position, and days and hours are typically Monday through Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm depending on the need of services. The position requires the ability to work during inclement weather, and to be on-call when the need arises.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• High school Diploma or GED (Required)
• Bachelor’s Degree in Bible or pastoral studies, theology, or ministry
• 3-5 years’ experience in the field of ministry and geriatrics
• 3-5 years’ experience in bereavement counseling, hospice care, patient counseling
• Completion of the Highlands Hearthstone Ambassador training within 30 days of employment (Required)

Work Authorization/Security Clearances:

• Medical Screening
• Criminal History Clearance
• FBI Fingerprint Clearance (Only required if you have not lived in PA for the last 2 years)
• Immigration and naturalization (I-9) Clearance
• Valid Pennsylvania Driver's License and acceptable MVR (if operating company vehicle)

Physical Requirements and Physical Demands:

• While performing duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to sit, stand, walk, climb, bend, crouch, crawl, kneel, balance, reach above heard, reach above shoulder, push/pull (up to 35lbs.), lift from floor level up, lift and/or carry objects weighing 20 lbs. maximum. lift 20lbs.

Safety Hazards and Physical Environment:

• May be exposed to blood borne pathogens - High Risk
• May be exposed to communicable diseases
• May be exposed to high noise levels
• May be exposed to rare occasions during which it is necessary to interact with a resident exhibiting aggressive behavior.