Description

Chaplain/Education Coordinator

This position is open to FT internal candidates only.

Position Goal

The Chaplain/Education Coordinator works to ensure that the patient and family are provided spiritual counseling and support through their own requested spiritual caregiver or by a qualified assigned hospice staff member or trained volunteer chaplain. Maintain the spiritual component of Hospice care and work in conjunction with the interdisciplinary team (IDTM) in providing appropriate interventions. To provide educational opportunities (in-services) for fellow chaplains at Columbus Hospice that are specifically tailored to the work and needs of chaplaincy.

Education and Experience

Required:

Master's degree in theology, religion, or divinity from an accredited seminary or school of theology.
Must provide official transcript of completion of Master’s degree from an accredited school of theology.
Must provide official transcript of at least two post-Master’s CPE basic units from an accredited CPE provider.
Must provide official certificate of ordination; in lieu of, may provide an official letter of endorsement from a recognized denomination or a faith group where ordination is not required.

Preferred:

One to two years’ experience related to counseling and support with patients and families facing a life limiting illness.
Post Masters CPE units - one is required; two is preferred
Ordained or recognized in good standing within the jurisdiction of own denomination, by a letter of endorsement.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations, Vaccines

Required:

Valid driver’s license, good driving record, and proof of insurance
Influenza vaccine during influenza season
Current CPR certification or must obtain within 30 days of start of employment.

Special Qualifications:

Ability to respond to questions from clients, customers, and the general public.
Ability to speak professionally to patients, physicians and others in the organization via telephone and personal communication.
Requirement to maintain professional appearance and communication at all times.
Take call on rotating basis after business hours and on holidays, as assigned, for spiritual issues and make visits as indicated by patient and family needs.
Deal effectively and professionally with grief, high anxiety, and emotions related to death and dying on a daily basis.
Ability to work flexible schedule, ability to evaluate situations as they occur, prioritize, and coordinate visits related to patient spiritual needs as they arise on a daily basis.

Position Requirements (not all-inclusive)

Contribute to the interdisciplinary care planning on spiritual issues concerning patient/family, in accordance with the frequency stated on the plan of care.
Provide clinical spiritual competency assessments of peer chaplains, as designated.
Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and facilitate discussion of issues relating to the spiritual component of Hospice care.
Complete and document a spiritual assessment on assigned patients within 4 days of admission, and update the patient’s plan of care to reflect assessment and plan for future care.
Document visits, telephone calls and updates of plan of care in electronic medical records system at the point of care.
Ensure that contacts with clergy of a particular faith are made in behalf of the patient and family.
Conduct or arrange for funeral (or other) services for families not affiliated with a particular church and who desire a funeral service.
Participate in agency and community spiritual educational activities as requested.
Participate in orientation of new employees and in-service of hospice staff on spiritual issues when requested.
Provide open, flexible, and non-denominational ministry.
Provide age-specific spiritual counseling to patients and families.
Maintain appropriate boundaries when providing spiritual care that are within Hospice guidelines and practices.
Takes call on rotating basis after business hours and on holidays as assigned for spiritual issues and makes visits as indicated by patient and family needs.
Provide continual improvement on performance improvement monitors.
Take all reasonable precaution to maintain privacy and non-disclosure of any confidential information about patients, other staff members, and the general operations of Columbus Hospice.
Represent the company in a positive and professional manner at all times with others, e.g., co-workers, management, vendors, and customers.
Complete all job responsibilities in a thorough and complete manner, utilizing good judgment in all aspects of the job.
When unsure of a directed task or any part of job responsibilities, proactively seek the assistance of immediate supervisor.
Acquire 15 continuing education hours per year, or will not be eligible for merit increases and may be subject to termination. Of the required 15 hours per year at least 12 hours must be in hospice-specific topics.
Attend staff meetings and other mandatory meetings.
Ensure job responsibilities are met, including but not limited to attendance requirements, compliance with dress code, and professional communication and behavior.
Maintain communication with fellow chaplains to gather feedback regarding needs that could be addressed through official educational opportunities provided by the company.
Maintain communication with current Education Department to determine scheduling, CEU eligibility, and other details regarding chaplaincy in-services
Actively research and find topics that would be valuable to address in chaplaincy in-services utilizing current academic research and exploring articles from sources such as the Journal of Pastoral Care and Counseling and other similar sources
Develop and lead chaplaincy in-services
In some cases, arrange for outside sources who are better equipped to address certain topics to come and lead the in-services (e.g. clergy from another faith tradition)
Examining current research regarding best practices for spiritual care with patients suffering from illnesses we often encounter (e.g. Alzheimer’s, cancer, etc.)
Examining current research regarding best practices for spiritual care regarding certain populations as defined by age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, etc.
Conducting peer review sessions where chaplains bring specific issues/experiences regarding their current practice for the purpose of supportive feedback and mutual education from fellow chaplains
Coordinate Community Support through education including afterhours support and sessions
Opportunities to learn from area clergy and mental health professionals
Assist with special projects, as requested.
All other job duties as may be assigned.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, sit, talk, and hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance, stoop or kneel. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions and extreme heat. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually low. Potential exposure to variable environments, cigarette smoke, and pets.

Due to the nature of on call responsibilities, will be exposed to night driving conditions, driving in variable weather conditions, and variable home conditions.

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