Hospice Chaplain (part-time)

Morning Star Hospice and Palliative Care; Harrisburg (Dauphin County); On-site; USD 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Morning Star Hospice and Palliative Care is seeking a Chaplain to provide spiritual, emotional, and supportive care to patients and families facing life‑limiting illness in the Harrisburg area. As a key member of the interdisciplinary care team, you will conduct spiritual assessments, offer counseling, facilitate bereavement support, and ensure culturally sensitive care across diverse faith traditions.

The role requires ordination, strong listening and crisis‑support skills, and the ability to

Qualifications

• Ordination from a recognized religious body is required.
• Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) units strongly preferred.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Ability to pass background check and health screening.

Responsibilities

• Conduct spiritual assessments to identify patient and family needs.
• Provide ongoing spiritual counseling, pastoral presence, and emotional comfort.
• Offer grief support and anticipatory guidance throughout care.
• Participate in interdisciplinary group meetings and coordinate care.
• Maintain accurate electronic documentation and comply with HIPAA.

Skills

Compassionate approach

Active listening

Crisis support

Cultural sensitivity

Crisis communication

Education

Ordination from a recognized religious body

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) units preferred

Job description

If you are a dedicated Chaplain with a passion for hospice care, we want to hear from you! At Morning Star Hospice and Palliative Care Solutions, we are dedicated to providing compassionate and personalized end‑of‑life care to patients and their families. As a leader in hospice care, we focus on enhancing quality of life by offering physical, emotional, and spiritual support. We are currently seeking a skilled and compassionate Chaplain to join our team in the Harrisburg/York/Hanover/Lancaster/Lebanon, PA areas.

Position Summary

The Hospice Chaplain at Morning Star Hospice and Palliative Care provides spiritual, emotional, and supportive care to patients and families facing life‑limiting illness. This role ensures that individuals of all faith traditions—or no faith tradition—receive compassionate, respectful, and culturally sensitive spiritual support. As a key member of the interdisciplinary care team, the Chaplain helps patients and loved ones find comfort, meaning, and peace throughout the end‑of‑life journey.

Key Responsibilities

Patient & Family Support

• Conduct spiritual assessments to identify patient and family needs, beliefs, and preferences
• Provide ongoing spiritual counseling, prayer, pastoral presence, and emotional comfort
• Offer grief support and anticipatory guidance throughout the hospice process
• Facilitate conversations around life review, meaning, legacy, and spiritual concerns
• Support patients and families during crisis moments, transitions, and end‑of‑life events
• Lead or coordinate bedside rituals, prayer, sacraments, or ceremonies as requested
• Respect and support diverse faiths, cultural backgrounds, and personal beliefs

Interdisciplinary Team Collaboration

• Participate in IDG (Interdisciplinary Group) meetings to discuss patient care plans
• Communicate spiritual care goals and updates with the clinical team
• Work collaboratively with nurses, social workers, aides, and volunteers
• Provide staff support, debriefing, and spiritual encouragement as needed

Bereavement & Family Support

• Assist with bereavement risk assessments and interventions
• Provide follow‑up support to grieving families as assigned
• Participate in or lead memorial services, remembrance events, or grief groups

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain accurate, timely electronic documentation of all spiritual care visits
• Follow all Morning Star Hospice & Palliative Care policies, HIPAA, and regulatory guidelines
• Participate in required training, continuing education, and compliance reviews

Qualifications

Education & Credentials

• Ordination from a recognized religious body
• Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) units strongly preferred
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation and auto insurance
• Ability to pass background check and health screening

Skills & Attributes

• Compassionate, nonjudgmental, and patient‑centered approach
• Strong listening, communication, and crisis‑support skills
• Ability to work with individuals of diverse cultural and spiritual backgrounds
• Ability to maintain emotional resilience and healthy boundaries
• Comfortable providing support in homes, facilities, and bedside environments

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Travel to patient homes, skilled nursing facilities, and community sites
• Ability to sit, stand, or walk for extended periods
• Occasional evening or weekend hours based on patient needs