Chaplain - PRN (Hospice)

Svdpnky; Las Cruces (NM); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

West Texas Home Health & Hospice is seeking a Chaplain to provide spiritual and emotional support to patients, families, and staff within the hospice setting. You will collaborate with community clergy and volunteers to enhance spiritual care services and participate in ongoing care planning.

The role requires education in theology (Master of Divinity preferred) and experience in hospice or healthcare settings, with CPR certification and a valid driver’s license.

Qualifications

• Education: College degree preferred in Theology; Master of Divinity preferred or related field from an accredited institution.
• Experience: Hospice, palliative care, or healthcare setting preferred.
• License/ Certification: Current CPR; valid driver’s license and auto liability insurance.

Responsibilities

• Conduct spiritual assessments to understand patients and families’ spiritual and emotional needs.
• Provide compassionate counseling and support respecting beliefs and values.
• Assist with advance directives, funeral planning, and related legal/financial issues.
• Collaborate with IDT to update the plan of care to meet spiritual needs.
• Engage with local clergy and volunteers to enhance spiritual support services.
• Maintain documentation in line with hospice policies and guidelines.

Skills

Organizational skills

Supervision

Interpersonal communication

Time management

Spiritual counseling

Bereavement support

Education

College degree preferred in Theology

Master of Divinity preferred

Job description

Overview

At West Texas Home Health & Hospice, we believe Home Health and Hospice care is more than a service—it’s a calling. Every day, our team brings comfort, dignity, and peace of mind to patients and families facing life’s most delicate moments. With compassion at our core, we create a workplace where kindness leads, voices are heard, and every role carries purpose. If you’re looking to make a difference in the lives of others while being part of a team that feels like family, we’d love to welcome you.

Job Summary: Responsible for providing spiritual and emotional support to patients, their families, and staff within the hospice environment. You will also collaborate with community clergy and volunteers to enhance spiritual care services.

Responsibilities

• Conduct spiritual assessments to understand patients\' and families\' spiritual and emotional needs.
• Provide compassionate counseling and support to patients and families, respecting their beliefs and values.
• Provide individual patient/family counseling, crisis intervention, information, and assistance with preparations of advance directives, funeral planning issues and transfer of responsibilities relative to legal and fiscal issues.
• Work with IDT, participating in the ongoing POC, developing, documenting, and evaluating responses to interventions to update the POC to meet spiritual needs of patient and family.
• Work with other staff, resolving spiritual/pastoral/ethical issues. Be available for bereavement or counseling needs.
• Use effective interpersonal relations and communication skills to work with family members as needed and to assist in planning for discharge and for bereavement, utilizing local clergy as needed.
• Complete required documentation according to hospice policies and regulatory guidelines.
• Assess patient/family response to and satisfaction with care.
• Make visits to patient/family prior to death and be available to the family during the bereavement period as needed.
• Promote Agency philosophy and administrative policies to ensure quality of care.
• Collaborate with local religious organizations and volunteers to provide additional support to patients and families.
• Build relationships with community clergy and spiritual leaders to enhance spiritual support services.

Additional Responsibilities

• Performs other duties as assigned or requested.
• Conforms to all applicable Agency policies and procedures.
• Participates actively in continuing education and in-services.
• Maintains confidentiality of patient information and business practices.
• Assumes accountability for reporting incidents and complaints according to Agency policy.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Organizational skills
• Ability to supervise in accordance with Agency’s policies and applicable laws.
• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.
• Time management
• Advanced written and verbal interpersonal communication
• Basic math skills related to patient care.

Age-Related Competencies

Demonstrates the basic knowledge and skills necessary to identify age-specific patient needs appropriate for this position.

Information Management

Treats all information and data within the scope of the position with appropriate confidentiality and security.

Environment & Compliance

• Cooperates fully in all risk management activities and investigations.
• Keeps abreast of changes in health care law.
• Maintains Agency/program compliance with local, state, and federal laws as well as state accreditation standards.

Minimum Position Qualifications

• Education: College degree preferred in Theology; Master of Divinity preferred or related field from an accredited institution
• Experience: Previous experience in hospice, palliative care, or a healthcare setting preferred
• License / Certification: Current CPR; current driver’s license and proof of auto liability

Environmental & Physical Requirements

Works under a variety of conditions in facilities and offices; ability to work flexible schedule, ability to travel locally; some exposure to unpleasant weather. Moderate noise level; tasks may involve exposure to bloodborne pathogens; moderate stress and emotional demands.

Physical Requirements: Sitting is required. Requires ability to always handle stressful situations in a calm and courteous manner. Requires working under some stressful conditions to meet deadlines and agency needs. Ability to travel.

Note: The following sections previously included applicant-facing forms and metadata not relevant to the job description and have been omitted to maintain focus on responsibilities, qualifications, and job-related information.

Equal Employment Opportunity

It is the policy and practice of the company to abide by all anti-discrimination laws provided for by federal, state, and local statutes.