STAFF CHAPLAIN - COVENANT AT HOME/HOSPICE

As an integral member of the Hospice and Palliative Care Interdisciplinary team, the Chaplain provides spiritual and emotional support to patients, families, and staff, respectful of their cultural and religious beliefs.

D emonstrates excellent customer service performance in that his/her attitude and actions are consistent with the standards contained in the Vision, Mission and Values of Covenant HealthCare and the commitment to Extraordinary Care for Every Generation.

Participates in the delivery of a complete program of pastoral care to patients, their loved ones and staff of all faith traditions or no faith tradition.

A ssesses the spiritual and emotional needs of patients and families including psychosocial issues, adjustment to illness or disability, status of religious/spiritual coping; supports others in their process of identifying and applying their own values in decision making.

P ractices ministry of presence requiring active listening skills and empathy and providing nonjudgmental support within the context of the patient’s culture, values, and belief systems.

D emonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide appropriate spiritual/emotional support to persons of all age groups.

H elps patients and families deal with spiritual and emotional issues, among them: forgiveness, hope, courage, perseverance, loss of control, and relationships.

A ssists patients and families with ethical decision-making assistance (e.g. end-of-life decisions, information and execution of advance directives).

P rovides prayer when appropriate, support and comfort hospice patient and her/his family.

P rovides bereavement support.

Documents spiritual assessments and interventions in the patient’s medical record and intradepartmental records accurately, clearly, and in a timely manner following all established guidelines.

P rovides appropriate bereavement worship services, for patients, families, and staff. Facilitates Hospice-sponsored support groups.

P articipates in ongoing professional development.

D evelops a practice of pastoral care that includes ongoing personal review of ministry skills and initiation of opportunities for improvement of service.

P articipates in peer review process at least every two years.

O btains necessary and appropriate continuing education for professional enhancement and maintenance of certification.

D evelops and presents orientation and continuing education programs regarding spiritual care, advance directives, and bereavement for associates, staff.

S upports an interdisciplinary approach to pastoral care.

P articipates as an active member of the hospice and palliative care interdisciplinary team with special skills in crisis intervention and conflict resolution.

P rovides appropriate input regarding spiritual/emotional issues caregivers.

S erves on hospice and palliative care committees as appointed.

S upports efforts to foster spirituality in the workplace.

P articipates in maintenance of administrative procedures for the department in accordance with institutional policy.

M aintains procedures to record pastoral care activity, to communicate with the other members of the department, and report to the department/institution.

P articipates in the department’s plan for continuous quality improvement.

P articipate in programs and administrative activities of the department.

P articipates in departmental planning and implementation of goals and objectives of the department.

A ble to assume role of Bereavement Coordinator supervising bereavement program and working with Hospice/Palliative Care Manager to maintain compliance with regulations as directed.

D emonstrates excellent customer service.

D emonstrates support of the vision, mission and values by individual actions.

R ecognizes that our existence is to serve.

C ontributes to organization’s success targets for patient satisfaction and net operating margin.

O ther duties as assigned.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

One unit of CPE training in a center that is accredited by the ACPE, Stephen Ministry training, BeFriender Ministry training, or equivalent training required.

B achelor's degree or master's degree in Theology preferred.

E xperience working with death and dying, individuals/family/caregiver.

O ne (1) unit of CPE preferred. One (1) year of hospice and/or palliative care experience preferred.

BL S required.

K NOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

A bility to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

B asic computer skills in data entry and word processing.

A bility to remain resilient and to provide pastoral care in crisis situations.

C omfortable and able to identify and facilitate a wide range of emotional/spiritual experiences for others, notably grief and anger.

A bility to remain mentally focused with tasks.

A bility to function within a self-directed team model and have a reasonable tolerance/flexibility for change.

A bility to relate to others with a high degree of interpersonal effectiveness.

A bility to work as member of interdisciplinary group.

Va lid Michigan Driver’s License, reliable transportation and proof of auto insurance required.

C omfort in an interfaith setting.

A bility to network with community clergy and congregations.

K nowledge of and commitment to hospice philosophy of care.

W ORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

A bility to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards.

C onstant hearing, visual accommodation and color vision.

F requent standing, walking, sitting, reaching, handling, and talking.

F requent near vision, midrange vision, far vision, depth perception and field of vision.

F requent lifting 0-10 lbs.

O ccasional lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, squatting, twisting, fingering, feeling, and tasting.

O ccasional lifting up to 100 lbs. or more.