Position Summary:
SPHP’s mission and core values have led to the unprecedented capacity of this healthcare organization to Care “for more people, in more places more than any other health care system within the Capital Region” of New York.
As an essential member of a fully integrated and interdisciplinary healthcare team, the Chaplain is knowledgeable and skilled in shared-responsibility with colleagues in the holistic care of those entrusted to the healthcare team.
All SPHP's Chaplains must be disposed, freely, and willingly to use the Core Values of this organization as handy guiding tools for compliance with the overarching mission and ministry of SPHP.
As a member of the Hospice Interdisciplinary Team, the Chaplain assumes overall responsibility for the coordination of spiritual services; provides spiritual counseling and emotional support to patients/families and hospice team members of all denominations; and participates in the development of the patient/family care plan.
Education Requirements:
Master’s degree in theology, philosophy, counseling, psychology, pastoral care, spirituality, or their equivalencies from an accredited academic institution is required.All chaplains must meet or be willing to meet within two years of hire, the following threshold educational and certification requirements:
Sixteen hundred (1600) hours, or one year residency in clinical pastoral education (CPE), or the equivalence in clinical counseling or psychology is a requirement. CPE certification is preferred.Experience Requirements:
A minimum of 3 years pastoral experience required after beginning Clinical Pastoral Education.Hospice experience and/or equivalent education in pastoral ministry is preferred.Required to maintain behavior in the community consistent with high moral character.Excellent oral and written communication skills.Good interpersonal skills showing a high degree of confidentiality, sensitivity, and discretion.Ability to work in a collaborative team relationship with other members of the department and health care personnel to assure quality communication is required.Responsibilities:
1. Provides Pastoral Counseling Services
According to agency, team, and care plan priorities, the Hospice chaplain visits patients and families to provide compassionate and supportive pastoral counseling services, including in the bereavement period. Is respectful and supportive of all faith traditions and works within the wishes and faith background of patients and families. In all situations, actively supports the human dignity of patients and families.
d. Has a working knowledge of the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care.
2. Participates as an Active Member of the Hospice Interdisciplinary Team
Serves as the spiritual care discipline representative on the interdisciplinary team,
actively representing spiritual care in the assessment, care planning, and team
delivery of services phases of hospice and palliative care; helps develop and
review the interdisciplinary care plan on a regular basis.
Identifies ethical and spiritual concerns within patient care, team, and
facility operations as they arise, and shares in the team accountability for having
them addressed.
c. Supports and nourishes staff and team members through formal and informal
means.
d. Demonstrates a team participation and communication style that fosters
collaboration, consensus, cooperation and trust in fulfilling the Hospice Mission
in accordance with operational and strategic priorities.
e. Serves on-call and weekend/holiday rotation as assigned.
3. Conducts Professional Patient/Family Assessment and Care Planning for Spiritual Care
Routinely conducts a comprehensive spiritual assessment of patient/families coming on to Hospice. Takes the lead in proposing spiritual care actions and interventions as part of the team care planning process. Actively coordinates all spiritual care with patient/family’s own clergy, where such exists, and with spiritual care personnel in inpatient and other facilities sharing in the plan of care. Continues to assess the effectiveness of spiritual care services for patients and families and recommends care plan modifications accordingly.
4. Initiates and maintains active Connections with the Clergy Community
Promptly identifies and actively encourages and maximizes the involvement of
spiritual support personnel that patient/families already have, as well as other
clergy in the community; initiates and maintains communication with clergy re
admission to hospice, level of care changes, and other care plan developments.
Makes continual efforts to actively involve attending clergy and community spiritual support personnel by seeking their input, coordinating spiritual care services, and communicating care plan developments to them on a timely basis. Nourishes positive and collaborative relationships with all clergy in the team service area, including those in inpatient facilities and nursing homes as appropriate, as well as those representing special populations. Actively stays connected to area clergy through meetings, clergy associations, regular communication, in-service education for clergy, and other formal and informal means. Promotes end-of-life education, hospice awareness, and close hospice/community working relationships among area clergy in alignment with agency operational and strategic priorities.
5. Conducts Religious Worship Services
Where appropriate, leads religious worship services, including sacramental celebrations, for hospice patients and families. This may include wakes and funerals as authorized by department head or appropriate supervisor. Regularly conducts hospice memorial services according to regional plan for such services. Conducts remembrance and other staff support services to assist staff in their dealing with personal issues related to their hospice work. Supports team, regional, and agency-wide activities, rituals, and services to advance the Mission of hospice and the vibrancy and continual renewal of its staff and volunteers. Participates as appropriate in community interfaith and other worship services as a representative of Community Hospice. Offers prayer and worship, including at the time of death, within the comfort level and respectful of the faith traditions of patient/families.
6. Performs timely record keeping and Documentation
According to agency policies and procedures, maintains current, legible, and thorough medical records, visit records, quality improvement records, and other required documentation. Utilizes computer capabilities as appropriate and as expected for clinical care providers. Complies with credentialing and all record keeping requirements as appropriate in allied provider facilities and agencies. Appropriately documents community benefit activities and services. Submits mileage and expense reimbursement forms, and other applicable periodic records, on a timely basis.
7. Continues and Promotes Professional Development
Actively pursues ongoing professional development activities, with special consideration where feasible for national chaplain certification. Maintains and continuously seeks to improve his or her pastoral counseling abilities and other job specific competencies. Assists in the ongoing identification of training and education needs for spiritual care department and interdisciplinary team. Participates in agency orientation, volunteer training, and in-service and special education activities as appropriate. Participates as appropriate in agency mentoring and in student education, internship, and practicum training programs. Assists in the developing programs to educate staff, volunteers, and community in pastoral care for those with advanced illness and those who are dying and grieving.
8. Participates in Quality Improvement Activities
Actively participates in agency’s quality improvement program and activities, including outcome measures and evaluation of spiritual care services. Provides evaluative feedback as part of agency annual evaluation process, annual planning process, departmental, team and peer evaluations, Employee Opinion Surveys, and other means as appropriate. Prepares and reviews quality improvement reports in a timely manner. Takes timely and appropriate actions to address identified issues in order to support improved quality, excellence in care, and positive outcomes for patients, families, and team members.
Pay range: $26.00-$33.60
Pay is based on experience, skills, and education. Exempt positions under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) will be paid within the base salary equivalent of the stated hourly rates. The pay range may also vary within the stated range based on location
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Trinity Health is one of the largest not-for-profit, Catholic healthcare systems in the nation. Built on the foundation of our Mission and Core Values, we integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion in all that we do. Our colleagues have different lived experiences, customs, abilities, and talents. Together, we become our best selves. A diverse and inclusive workforce provides the most accessible and equitable care for those we serve. Trinity Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by law.