Spiritual Counselor

Position Description Spiritual Counselor Primary Function : The Spiritual Counselor provides spiritual and emotional support to patients and families by bringing to the team an expertise regarding the spirituality and the impact of religion, its meanings, rituals and symbols. The patient and family are central to the provision of these services that are offered to all HODC patients regardless of setting. The Spiritual Counselor acts as a support to all staff. Supervision : Director of Clinical Services/HODC Team Leads Qualifications : * Must have earned a graduate level theological degree from a college, university or theological school accredited by a member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or an equivalent graduate degree that includes theological studies. * Must have completed at least 2 units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). * Must be in good standing with the requirements of one’s own faith group. * Maintain current unrestricted North Carolina driver’s license and maintain minimum automobile liability insurance for the duration of employment. * Available for night and weekend duty when appropriate. * Ability to carry out the duties of the job description. * Must be able to interact with patients, family members, visitors, co\-workers, and medical staff under a variety of circumstances. * Regular, reliable attendance is essential. * Must be current in health immunization requirements of North Carolina and Hospice of Davidson County. * Ability to work with the team concept of patient/family care. * Ability to work interdependently. * Willingness to maintain and increase professional skills and knowledge. Personal commitment to the Hospice concept and standards. * Job Duties : * An ability to interpret and articulate HODC’s policies and procedures regarding the spiritual care program. * Facilitate patient/family connection with desired spiritual care resources in the community and integrate any community involvement into the plan of care. * A willingness to accept speaking engagements in the community. * Maintain a working knowledge of ethical principles and processes and may participate as a member of the Ethics Committee. Completes timely, readable, and descriptively accurate documentation relating to spiritual assessments, care plan development, visit and focus notes and outcomes of interventions as identified by the patient and family. * Provides education to the IDG how awareness of one’s own culture, values, beliefs and assumptions and influence attitude and behaviors related to the care being provided. * Maintain an active role in the IDG, completes joint visits with other disciplines as needed and attends other informal collaborative meetings. * Organizes Hospice Sabbath which is held in fall of each year. * Participates in bereavement support to patients and families as needed and is involved in bereavement services and rituals for HODC staff. * May provide funerals, rituals and memorial services at patient and family request. * Maintains confidentiality Protected Health Information (PHI) at all times. * Attends weekly team conferences. * Keeps service records as required by Hospice. * Provides community education and support as needed. * Provides direct education on death and grief for clergy as needed. * Becomes active in the Lexington and Thomasville Ministerial Associations. * Follows all policies and procedures. * Acknowledges importance of team awareness. * Addresses patients, co\-workers, and other healthcare professionals in a pleasant and respectful manner. * Demonstrates the ability to remain friendly and cooperative during all work conditions. * Conveys instructions, directions, and information to co\-workers. * Consults with immediate supervisor as issues and concerns arise while maintaining consistent and concise lines of authority. * Attends required in\-services on an annual basis: * Risk Management * Bloodborne Pathogens/TB * Body Mechanics * Fire Safety * General Safety/Hazardous Materials * Patient/Staff Relations * Maintains a safe and clean work area to promote work place safety. * Completes Employee Activity Log daily. * Documents services and expenditures for reimbursement purposes. * Aware of basic pain management including use of pain rating scales. Recognizes and communicates with the Hospice nurse the need for intervention regarding pain when indicated. * Performs other duties or special projects as requested by the Director of Support Services. * Participates in hospice sponsored in\-service training. * Participates in QAPI program. * Participates on Hospice committees as needed. * Performs job duties in accordance with all Hospice policies, procedures, and professional and community standards. Abides by the Hospice Professional Code of Conduct. * 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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls/ and reach with hands and arms, to talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, climb, or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color, peripheral and depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Status and Hours of Work : This position is classified as exempt. Usual working hours are 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday, or as needed to perform duties. This position is not eligible for overtime pay.