Hospice Chaplain: Part Time

About the position 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Requirements

• 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).
• 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)
• 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)