Chaplain- Palliative Care at UC HEALTH LLC in Cincinnati, Ohio

Job Description:

At UC Health, we're proud to have the best and brightest teams and clinicians collaborating toward our common purpose: to advance healing and reduce suffering.

As the region's adult academic health system, we strive for innovation and provide world-class care for not only our community, but patients from all over the world. Join our team and you'll be able to develop your skills, grow your career, build relationships with your peers and patients, and help us be a source of hope for our friends and neighbors.

UC Health is committed to providing an inclusive, equitable and diverse place of employment.

The Palliative Care Chaplain provides spiritual and emotional support to patients, families, and healthcare staff in a palliative care setting. This role involves assessing and addressing the spiritual and emotional needs of individuals facing serious illnesses and end-of-life care. The chaplain collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive care and promote holistic well-being. The Palliative Care Chaplain facilitates conversations about life, meaning, and values, and offers compassionate guidance during challenging times to patients and families when appropriate. The chaplain may facilitate the completion of advance directives, (living will and power of attorney for Health Care) as needed. The Palliative Care Chaplain will complete any responsibilities assigned by direct leadership of Spiritual Care Department at current site of care.Minimum Required: Master's Degree - Master of Divinity or Equivalent. 4 units of Clinical Pastoral Education through an ACPE, NACC, NAJC, NAVAC, or CPSP prior to 2020. | Certification or eligibility for certification through a recognized chaplaincy board (e.g., Association of Professional Chaplains). | Minimum Required: 5 + years of clinical pastoral care/ with 3 years of those years dedicated Palliative Care chaplaincy preferred.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

• Ordained or recognized as a religious or spiritual leader within a specific faith tradition.
• Completion of a recognized theological education program (e.g., Master of Divinity) or its equivalent.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds and beliefs.
• Empathy and compassion in supporting individuals experiencing grief, loss, or emotional distress.
• Knowledge of religious and spiritual practices, rituals, and beliefs, and the ability to respect and integrate diverse perspectives.
• Understanding of ethical considerations related to end-of-life care and advance care planning.
• Ability to work collaboratively within interdisciplinary teams and adapt to changing patient needs and situations.Spiritual and Emotional Support:
o Provide spiritual and emotional support to patients, families, and staff in the palliative care setting.
o Assess for anticipatory or complicated grief.
o Assess the spiritual and emotional needs of individuals facing serious illnesses and end-of-life care.
o Engage in active listening and empathetic presence to facilitate deep conversations about life, meaning, and values.
o Offer counseling and guidance to individuals experiencing grief, loss, or emotional distress.
o Facilitate rituals, prayers, and religious or spiritual practices based on individual preferences and beliefs.
o Provide quarterly remembrance sessions.
o Develop bereavement program among patients, patient families, staff, and community.

Collaboration and Communication:
• Round daily with Palliative Care team on PC census and attend scheduled family meetings.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, including physicians, nurses, social workers, and counselors, to provide comprehensive care.
• Attend interdisciplinary team meetings and actively contribute insights related to spiritual and emotional care.
• Communicate effectively with patients, families, and staff, demonstrating cultural sensitivity and respect for diverse beliefs and values.
• Serve as a liaison between patients and their religious or spiritual communities, coordinating visits or support as needed.
• Works with Palliative Care committees as well as greater hospital working committees as appropriate.

Education and Training:
• Provide education and training to healthcare staff (residents) on the role of spiritual care in palliative care and end-of-life situations.
• Foster a culture of spiritual awareness and competence within the healthcare setting and regional community.
• Participate in professional development activities, including conferences, workshops, and continuing education programs, to enhance knowledge and skills.

Documentation and Ethical Practice:
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of spiritual care interventions and assessments in patient records.
• Track patient deaths.
• Adhere to ethical guidelines and standards of practice for chaplains, respecting confidentiality, and privacy.
• Stay informed about relevant legal and ethical considerations related to end-of-life care and advance care planning.Spiritual and Emotional Support:
o Provide spiritual and emotional support to patients, families, and staff in the palliative care setting.
o Assess for anticipatory or complicated grief.
o Assess the spiritual and emotional needs of individuals facing serious illnesses and end-of-life care.
o Engage in active listening and empathetic presence to facilitate deep conversations about life, meaning, and values.
o Offer counseling and guidance to individuals experiencing grief, loss, or emotional distress.
o Facilitate rituals, prayers, and religious or spiritual practices based on individual preferences and beliefs.
o Provide quarterly remembrance sessions.
o Develop bereavement program among patients, patient families, staff, and community.

Collaboration and Communication:
• Round daily with Palliative Care team on PC census and attend scheduled family meetings.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, including physicians, nurses, social workers, and counselors, to provide comprehensive care.
• Attend interdisciplinary team meetings and actively contribute insights related to spiritual and emotional care.
• Communicate effectively with patients, families, and staff, demonstrating cultural sensitivity and respect for diverse beliefs and values.
• Serve as a liaison between patients and their religious or spiritual communities, coordinating visits or support as needed.
• Works with Palliative Care committees as well as greater hospital working committees as appropriate.

Education and Training:
• Provide education and training to healthcare staff (residents) on the role of spiritual care in palliative care and end-of-life situations.
• Foster a culture of spiritual awareness and competence within the healthcare setting and regional community.
• Participate in professional development activities, including conferences, workshops, and continuing education programs, to enhance knowledge and skills.

Documentation and Ethical Practice:
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of spiritual care interventions and assessments in patient records.
• Track patient deaths.
• Adhere to ethical guidelines and standards of practice for chaplains, respecting confidentiality, and privacy.
• Stay informed about relevant legal and ethical considerations related to end-of-life care and advance care planning.