Chaplain

As a member of the Hudson Valley Hospice Interdisciplinary team, the primary focus is to provide spiritual counseling and emotional support to HVH patients, their families, and HVH community partners inclusive of all faiths or belief systems.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provide spiritual counseling to meet the spiritual needs in accordance with the patient’s and family’s acceptance of this service and in a manner consistent with the patient and family's beliefs and desires.
• Determine relational connections and disconnections to self, others, God/ higher power, and communities of faith.
• Ascertain areas of spiritual pain and strength.
• Contact patient within 5 days of admission. For patients who decline spiritual care services, chaplain will remain an active part of interdisciplinary support through IDG meetings and team discussions as indicated.
• Formulate the spiritual care plan within 24 hours of assessment.
• Encourages life review of patient/family and friends.
• Identifies and encourages the use of familiar spiritual resources, rituals, or traditions that have been, or are, helpful to the patient/family.
• Utilizes spiritual counseling and practices such as prayer, scripture, ritual, music, meditation, expressive art, journaling, and other identified interventions in coordination with the interdisciplinary Plan of Care.
• At the request of the patient or family, the chaplain facilitates visits by local clergy or other individuals who support the patient’s spiritual needs.
• Participate in Spiritual Care Department on-call rotation according to schedule.
• When appropriate, plan and conduct wakes and funerals/memorial services.
• Document and individualize interdisciplinary spiritual care plans on an ongoing basis and update them as changes occur.
• Participates in the interdisciplinary team and IDG meeting as a core discipline.
• Lead or participate in HVH team meetings or celebrations and HVH community events when requested.
• Participate in HVH interdepartmental coordination, support, and/or education as appropriate.

COMPETENCIES

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally (in person or by phone) and in writing.
• Ability to work effectively – both cooperatively and independently - as a member of the Spiritual Care team and the interdisciplinary team.
• Computer competency required, including Word and Outlook
• Demonstrate knowledge, skill, and ability necessary to provide care to all age groups served.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/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.

• Moderate amount of travel by car.
• Works in assigned settings which may include patient/family homes, hospitals, facilities.
• Routine duties involve the potential for direct exposure to blood or body fluids

PREFERRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of 2 units (800 hours) of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)
• Master’s degree in divinity or theology from an accredited college or university highly preferred or equivalent level of education
• Two years’ experience in Pastoral/Spiritual chaplaincy, counseling, or an equivalent setting
• Valid NYS driver’s license.

Hours: Monday-Friday (8:30am-4:30pm); On Call rotation every few months

Pay: $60,000-65,000/year

FLSA: Exempt

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Mileage Reimbursement, Generous PTO, Company Holidays off and more!

Hudson Valley Hospice is an Equal Opportunity Employer.