Hospice Chaplain

Job Summary

Responsible for providing spiritual care services to patients and families/caregivers of HCA Hospice, either directly or through coordination of care with other spiritual counselors.

Essential Function

1. Assures spiritual assessment of patients and families/caregivers in the hospice program and appropriate services are rendered promptly.


2. Conducts EOB and has required consents signed and submitted to intake immediately after EOB.


3. Documentation is completed the same day, however, must be in the EMR within 24 hours of initial visit.


4. Facilitates the development of the individualized plan of care by participating in comprehensive assessment to meet identified spiritual needs.


5. Provides direct spiritual care to patients and family/caregivers.


6. Serves as liaison and support to community chaplains and spiritual counselors.


7. Maintains records of spiritual care services utilization and related activities for quality assurance, program development, and policies and procedures review and revision.


8. Documents direct services and ongoing communication with community chaplains and spiritual counselors.


9. Attends patient care conference and interdisciplinary group meetings as a member of the interdisciplinary group.


10. Provides consultation, education, and support to the interdisciplinary group on spiritual care.


11. Recruits' community chaplains, spiritual counselors, and spiritual care volunteers adequate to meet patient and family/caregiver needs by developing community contacts and offering education through congregations about hospice care.


12. Provides funeral or memorial services for patients as requested.


13. Plans periodic memorial services to meet the ends of personnel, volunteers, and community clergy/spiritual counselors working with the hospice team.


14. Assists in supervision of spiritual care volunteers when assigned to patients/families/caregivers.


15. Actively participates in quality assessment performance & assists with improvement of team morale and activities.


16. Accepts and performs other related duties and responsibilities as required.


17. Responsibilities may also include fulfilling the role of Bereavement Coordinator, which involves being responsible to plan, implement, and maintain a bereavement program to meet the needs of families/caregivers for up to (13) months following the death of the individual hospice patients. Added responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Coordinates the assessment and delivery of grief counseling needs and services (one to one, groups and ongoing follow-up) to ensure timely and appropriate services are provided to family/caregivers.


• Plans for Bereavement Program development, expansion, and refinement through annual evaluation of services.


• Provides support to hospice personnel coping with work related grief through one-to-one counseling, supervision of interns providing one to one counseling and referral to community resources.


• Provides bereavement information and referral services to callers from the community.


• Expands and maintains community resources as needed.


• Assists as needed in evaluating and planning services to meet hospice personnel support needs such as yearly retreats, weekly group supports.


• Functions independently but seeks and accepts guidance from other members of the interdisciplinary groups or from members of the community.


• Participate in hospice activities such as in-service education, hospice personnel meetings and relevant committees.

This job description represents an overview of the responsibilities for the above referenced position. It is not intended to represent a comprehensive list of responsibilities. Colleagues should perform all duties as assigned by his/her supervisor.

Education and Experience

Graduate of accredited seminary or school of theology (BD, M.Div. or equivalent theological degree), licensed ordained minister or equivalent experience. Experience working with death and dying, individuals/family/caregiver. Ability to work as a member of interdisciplinary group. Comfort in an interfaith setting. Ability to accept/support different lifestyles, cultures, beliefs and values. Ability to network with community clergy and congregations. Knowledge of and commitment to hospice philosophy of care. Hospice experience preferred.

Certifications, Licenses, and other special Requirements

Must be a licensed driver with an automobile that is insured in accordance with state and/or organization requirements and is in good working order.

Management/Decision Making

Applies existing guidelines and procedures to make varied decisions within a department. Uses sound judgment and experience to solve moderately complex problems based on precedent, example, reasonableness or a combination of these.

Knowledge and Skills

Possesses extensive knowledge of a distinct skill or function and a thorough understanding of the organization and work environment. Has working knowledge of the healthcare industry. The ability to effectively manage time, tasks and projects in a dynamic environment is required. Effective written and oral communication skills and human relation skills are essential.