Spiritual Care Counselor

Life Hospice; East Hanover (NJ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Life Hospice seeks a compassionate Spiritual Care Counselor to provide spiritual, emotional, and psychosocial support to patients, families, and caregivers facing serious illness and end-of-life concerns. You will assess spiritual needs, develop care plans, and offer counseling and guidance respecting diverse beliefs and faith traditions.

The role works within an interdisciplinary team across hospice settings, coordinates with clergy, and offers bereavement support while maintaining patient

Qualifications

• Strong counseling and listening skills, with empathy and compassion.
• Experience in hospice, palliative care, or chaplaincy.
• Ability to work with diverse cultural and religious backgrounds.
• Valid driver's license for home visits if required.
• Knowledge of spiritual care practices across faith traditions.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive spiritual assessments of patients and families.
• Develop and implement individualized spiritual care plans.
• Provide spiritual counseling, emotional support, and crisis intervention.
• Coordinate with community clergy and spiritual resources as appropriate.
• Document assessments and interventions in medical records.
• Support bereavement services to families.

Skills

Counseling skills

Active listening

Empathy

Crisis intervention

Cultural sensitivity

Education

Master's degree in Divinity, Theology, Pastoral Counseling, Spiritual Care, or related field

Bachelor's degree with relevant experience

Job description

Spiritual Care CounselorJob SummaryThe Spiritual Care Counselor provides spiritual, emotional, and psychosocial support to patients, families, and caregivers facing serious illness, end-of-life concerns, grief, and loss. Working as part of the interdisciplinary team, this position assesses spiritual needs, develops care plans, and offers counseling, guidance, and support that respects each individual's beliefs, values, culture, and faith traditions.Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesConduct comprehensive spiritual assessments of patients and families.Develop and implement individualized spiritual care plans.Provide spiritual counseling, emotional support, and crisis intervention.Offer prayer, devotional support, religious rites, or referrals according to patient preferences.Assist patients and families in addressing issues related to illness, death, grief, loss, meaning, hope, and reconciliation.Support family members and caregivers throughout the patient's care journey.Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and contribute to care planning.Document assessments, interventions, and outcomes in the patient's medical record.Coordinate with community clergy, faith leaders, and spiritual resources as appropriate.Provide bereavement support and follow-up services to families.Educate staff regarding spiritual care concerns and cultural sensitivity.Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with all organizational policies and regulatory requirements.Work EnvironmentHospice offices, patient homes, hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other healthcare settings.Exposure to emotionally sensitive situations involving illness, death, and bereavement.Mission-Focused StatementThe Spiritual Care Counselor is committed to promoting dignity, comfort, hope, and meaning for patients and families by providing compassionate spiritual care that honors individual beliefs, values, and life experiences.QualificationsEducationMaster's degree in Divinity, Theology, Pastoral Counseling, Spiritual Care, or a related field preferred.Bachelor's degree with relevant experience may be considered.ExperienceExperience in hospice, palliative care, healthcare, counseling, ministry, or chaplaincy preferred.Experience working with individuals from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds.Certifications (Preferred)Board Certified Chaplain (BCC) or eligibility for certification.Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) training preferred.Valid driver's license and reliable transportation if home visits are required.Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesStrong counseling, communication, and active listening skills.Ability to provide compassionate support during crisis and end-of-life situations.Understanding of diverse faith traditions, spiritual practices, and cultural beliefs.Ability to work effectively within an interdisciplinary healthcare team.Strong documentation and organizational skills.Demonstrated empathy, professionalism, and emotional resilience.Physical RequirementsAbility to travel to patient homes, hospitals, nursing facilities, and community locations as needed.Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, and lift up to 20 pounds occasionally.Ability to manage the emotional demands associated with end-of-life care.