Spiritual Counselor

Zimmet Healthcare Services Group LLC; Chicopee (MA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Zimmet Healthcare Services Group LLC is seeking a chaplain to provide spiritual counseling and coordinate with the interdisciplinary hospice team. You will assess spiritual needs, collaborate on care plans, and support patients and families during challenging times.

The role requires interfaith sensitivity, strong communication, and willingness to engage with clergy. Hospice experience and formal pastoral education are preferred, with driving capability for local travel.

Qualifications

• Ordained, commissioned or credentialed according to the practices of an organized religious group.
• Has a degree in theology or from a seminary.
• Comfortable in an interfaith setting.
• Hospice experience preferred. Completed at least one unit of clinical pastoral education from a nationally recognized provider
• Able to accept different lifestyles, cultures, beliefs and values.
• Must be a licensed driver with an insured automobile in good working order.
• The ability to communicate well, both verbally and in writing.

Responsibilities

• Provide counseling or arrange counseling to meet the spiritual needs of patients, family members, and caregivers in alignment with beliefs and care plans.
• Conduct spiritual assessments within 5 days of hospice admission.
• Assist in development and implementation of the interdisciplinary patient care plan as it pertains to spiritual care.
• Provide spiritual support according to ongoing wishes and needs of patient/family and beliefs.
• Collaborate with local clergy when desired by the patient.
• Maintain and submit written clinical records, including initial evaluation, care plan, and daily notes.
• Evaluate patient and family response to spiritual counseling.
• Schedule weekly visits with Case Managers to coordinate other staff visits.
• Participate in IDG and QAPI meetings and activities.
• Conduct religious services as appropriate.
• Work with other professionals on spiritual/ethical issues.
• Provide spiritual and bereavement support to staff.
• Provide consultation and education to the IDG on spiritual care.
• Provide funeral or memorial services as requested.
• Pursue self-development to improve spiritual practice through education, workshops, conferences, and reading.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Interfaith sensitivity

Education

Theology degree / seminary training

Job description

Description

Provide counseling or arranges counseling to meet the spiritual needs of the patients/ family members/caregivers in a manner consistent with their beliefs and desires and in accordance with the patient's plan of care.

Requirements

• Conduct a spiritual assessment as part of the comprehensive assessment within 5 days of admission to the hospice program.
• Assist in development and implementation of the interdisciplinary patient care plan as it pertains to spiritual care.
• Provide spiritual support in accordance with on-going wishes and needs of the patient/family in accordance with their religious preferences or definition of spirituality.
• Work in close collaboration with local clergy when desired by the patient.
• Maintain and submit written clinical records as deemed by the Agency, including the initial evaluation, the care plan and daily notes.
• Evaluate the patients and family's response to, and effectiveness of, the spiritual counseling.
• Confirm, on a weekly basis, the scheduling of visits with the patients' Case Managers to facilitate coordination of other staff visits.
• Participate in IDG and QAPI meetings and activities.
• Conduct religious services of prayer, worship and rituals for patients/families, as appropriate.
• Working with other professionals in resolving spiritual/ethical issues.
• Provide spiritual and bereavement support to staff as needed.
• Provide consultation and education to the IDG on spiritual care.
• Provide funeral or memorial services for patient's as requested.
• Assume responsibility for self-development by continually striving to improve his/her Spiritual practice through formal education, attendance at workshops and conferences, active participation in professional and related organizational meetings, and/or individual research and reading.

Qualifications

1. Ordained, commissioned or credentialed according to the practices of an organized religious group. OR Has a degree in theology or from a seminary.

2. Comfortable in an interfaith setting.

3. Hospice experience preferred. Completed at least one unit of clinical pastoral education from a nationally recognized provider

4. Able to accept different lifestyles, cultures, beliefs and values.

5. Must be a licensed driver with an insured automobile in good working order.

6. The ability to communicate well, both verbally and in writing.