Director, Chaplaincy

JOB SUMMARY:

* Provides for day-to-day emotional and spiritual support and ministry to patients, associates, and physicians.
* Participates on multi-disciplinary health care teams, insuring that the whole person, comprising the body, mind, and spirit is considered, respected, and served (i.e. holistic care).
* Screens patients for spiritual distress and conducts necessary spiritual histories and assessments with specific application to the overall patient care plan.
* Responsibilities fall into three (3) areas:
* Patient Care (crisis response and routine care)
* Staff Support (responsive and proactive)
* Community Involvement (w. area clergy and organizations expressive of hospital's value of being a "caring community partner").



QUALIFICATIONS:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

PATIENT CARE

* Provides spiritual ministry and support to all patients within 48 hours of admission.
* Administers religious services and ceremonies when requested or arranges for clergy to do so when personally unqualified.
* Listens actively to family members and offers supportive counsel, especially in times of crisis or impending death.
* Prays daily for all those served by the hospital.
* Conducts spiritual assessments when requested by patients or staff.
* Responds to all codes in hospital.
* Oversees assistant chaplains who provide after-hours pastoral care.
* Charts appropriately, effectively, and in a timely manner on all patients visited.

STAFF SUPPORT

* Functions as an ethical and religious resource to hospital staff.
* Provides individual support and pastoral counsel to associates as requested by them and/or their supervisors.
* Prays regularly for those who work at the hospital.
* Cultivates a spiritually-aware work environment.
* Develops and conducts events which address spiritual needs discovered among associates.
* Plans interfaith services, memorial, and seasonal services.
* Attends patient care conferences and nursing reports.
* Participates in departmental meetings. Serves as a member of committees and/or task forces as assigned.
* Works on special projects as assigned by Hospital President/CEO
* Completes proper monthly and yearly activity reports.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

* Works in cooperation with the local churches/clergy of hospital associates.
* Notifies faith communities of the admission of their constituents and shares relevant patient information only after securing patient authorization.
* Remains involved with local ministerial association
* Participates in appropriate support groups offered by department to community
* Participates in community groups as directed by President/CEO
* Remains available to provide chaplaincy support as needed by local fire, rescue, and law enforcement agencies.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

* Adheres to the Chaplain?s Code of Ethics and HRH policy on confidentiality and discrimination.
* Handles any complaints of patients, family members or associates of Hancock Health in a supportive manner.
* Refers situations as needed to hospital CEO/President.
* Adheres to Hospital Regulations and follows Chaplaincy Services policies and procedures with a positive attitude.

EXPECTED BEHAVIORS:

* Good pastoral skills, (i.e. listening, empathy, cultural sensitivity, and compassion) and good interpersonal skills.
* Operates as part of an interdisciplinary team.
* Maintains a professional image and a healthy attitude about self and others.
* Has a strong religious faith that is personal and is expressed in connection with a community of faith.
* Exercises good judgment
* Displays and maintains behavior that remains courteous; is friendly and willing to assist others, promotes good guest relations and service to patients and visitors, and displays a positive appearance including appropriate dress.
* Maintains a positive attitude toward all hospital staff and physicians.
* Willingly offers to assist other team members.