Chaplain Spiritual Counselor Hospice presso Partners in Home Care

Position Summary

The Hospice Chaplain provides spiritual and emotional support to patients, families, and caregivers across the home hospice program, the hospice inpatient center, and the palliative care program. The chaplain is a required member of the Interdisciplinary Group (IDG) and contributes to the comprehensive plan of care. This role also includes participation in the agency’s on-call rotation to ensure patients and families have access to timely spiritual support at all hours.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Conduct and/or ensure completion of a spiritual assessment within 5 days of admission, respecting patient/family values and preferences.
• Provide direct spiritual counseling, prayer, rituals, or supportive presence in patient homes, facilities, the hospice inpatient center, and outpatient palliative care settings.
• Document all spiritual care assessments, interventions, and outcomes in the medical record in compliance with agency policy, ACHC standards, and Medicare Conditions of Participation.
• Serve as a core member of the IDG, attending meetings and contributing to the plan of care for every hospice patient accepting spiritual care.
• Participate in the on-call rotation, providing urgent or emergent spiritual support during evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays as assigned.
• Provide crisis intervention and pastoral presence at the time of death in home, inpatient, or palliative care settings as requested.
• Offer bereavement support in collaboration with the social work and bereavement team, including participation in memorial services, grief groups, and outreach.
• Educate and support staff, patients, and families regarding spiritual issues, coping, and cultural diversity at end-of-life and in serious illness.
• Build and maintain community relationships with clergy, congregations, and spiritual leaders to support patients and families.
• Support the palliative care program by providing consultative spiritual support and collaborating with nurse practitioners, physicians, and social workers in outpatient or clinic settings.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in divinity, Theology, Spiritual Care, or related field preferred; bachelor’s with equivalent experience may be considered.
• Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) training preferred; Board Certification (BCC/ACC) through APC, NACC, or NAJC strongly desired.
• Ordination, endorsement, or commission by a recognized religious or faith group (or demonstrated standing in the community as a spiritual leader).
• Minimum of one year’s experience in a health care or hospice setting is preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and counseling skills.
• Ability to work with people of diverse faiths, backgrounds, and cultures, and to provide spiritual support without imposing personal beliefs.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required.

Core Competencies

• Patient-centered care: Provides spiritual support based on patient/family choice and belief system.
• Flexibility: Able to move between home hospice, inpatient hospice center, and palliative care settings.
• Collaboration: Active participation in the IDG and across programs.
• Documentation: Accurate and timely charting consistent with CoPs and ACHC standards.
• Responsiveness: Reliable participation in on-call rotation and crisis support.

Working Conditions

• Frequent travel to patient homes, facilities, the hospice inpatient center, and outpatient clinic.
• Participation in on-call rotation including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Occasional participation in community events, memorial services, and outreach activities.
• Exposure to diverse cultural, religious, and end-of-life settings.