Job Description

Job Location: Spicewood - Austin, TX 78759
Position Type: 40 HRS - 1 FTE
Job Shift: M-F 8A-5PDescription
JOB TITLE:        Chaplain
DEPARTMENT:  Clinical Services

POSITION SUMMARY
The Chaplain is responsible for providing compassionate spiritual care, emotional support, and guidance to patients, families, and caregivers facing end-of-life journeys. As an integral member of the interdisciplinary team, the Chaplain respects and honors diverse religious, spiritual, and cultural backgrounds, offering individualized care that aligns with each patient's values and beliefs.
This role involves conducting spiritual assessments, offering counseling, facilitating rituals or religious services as requested, and collaborating with clergy and faith communities to ensure holistic support. The Chaplain also provides bereavement support and contributes to staff well-being by offering spiritual guidance and encouragement.
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
REPORTS TO:   Team Leader/Chaplain Mentor
SUPERVISES:   None
INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS: All comments, actions and behaviors have a direct effect on the public’s perception of Hospice Austin. Interactions with patients, family members, physicians, referral sources, visitors, co-workers, etc. must be in a manner that is courteous, respectful, cooperative and professional. This behavior should promote an atmosphere of teamwork and positive relations.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Provides spiritual care to patients and families. (90%)
- Contacts patients in home and inpatient settings, conducts spiritual/pastoral assessment as indicated and appropriate, as soon as possible after admission.
- Provides spiritual/pastoral support in accordance with on-going wishes and needs of the patient/family, as needed and defined by the patient/family.
- Develops individualized spiritual/pastoral plan of care which demonstrates an effort to work in close collaboration with local clergy whenever desired by the patient.
- Conducts religious services of prayer, worship and rituals for patients/families, as appropriate.
- Offers patients/families of different philosophies and religious beliefs opportunities to discuss and share their thoughts, feelings, beliefs and values.
- Documents patient care provided in the patient’s clinical record in a timely manner, and completes/signs all documentation according to agency protocol.
- Abides by minimum expectations for on call rotation.
- May officiate at funerals and memorial services.
- Complies with visit and direct patient care hours requirements per company protocol.
Provides spiritual support to agency (10%)
- Upon request, meets with individual staff regarding personal spiritual/pastoral issues that may affect their ability to function effectively.
- Available to staff for bereavement support.
- Participates in development of approaches to meet staff counseling needs.

Qualifications
- At least one unit of CPE or a minimum of one year hospice or related experience.
- Member in good standing in religious community or recognized sanctioning body.
- Master’s degree required (e.g. Master of Divinity, Master of Pastoral Care, etc.).
- Experience in hospice or hospital environment preferred.
- Valid Texas driver’s license, auto liability insurance and safe driving record. (if required for the position)
- Knowledge of hospice federal and state regulations preferred.
- Skill and experience with Microsoft Office products and experience with electronic medical records (EMR).