SUMMARY

The Chaplain/Spiritual Counselor; facilitates and leads Religious services and programs, provides spiritual and emotional care to patients, families and staff members, and leads educational seminars/ in-service sessions.

 PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Facilitate Religious services and programs at assigned location.*
   1. Organize, plan and develop programs and services.*
2. Lead educational seminars, orientations and/or in-service sessions (Jewish and spiritual) for staff.*
3. Assess spiritual needs of residents, patients, families and caregivers, providing one-on-one spiritual and emotional care.*
   1. Provide documentation to internal departments as needed.
4. Ensure communication with residents and patients’ congregation and clergy of choice. Facilitate spiritual care by outside clergy when requested or as appropriate.
   1. Act as liaison for Sholom to spiritual groups and leaders outside of the organization.
5. Attend funerals or memorial services as requested.
6. Assist with other Spiritual Care responsibilities as needed. 

Hospice Only:

1. Active member of the IDG team.
2. Participate in bereavement follow-up plan of care with families.*
   1. Assist in the coordination of bereavement functions. Provide for funerals, shivas or memorial services, religious services of prayer, worship and rituals for patient, family as appropriate.*
3. Provide adequate documentation of services provided to meet state regulalations.*
   1. Document direct services provided and ongoing communications with patients, families and caregivers, as well as local chaplains and spiritual counselors in accordance with all Hospice program polices and procedures.*

*Denotes essential functions of the position.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Education, Experience and Credentials

• Graduate of an accredited seminary or school of theology (Bachelor’s in Divinity, Master’s of Divinity or equivalent theological degree) required.
• Must be ordained as a Rabbi or Cantor.
• Two or more years’ related experience preferred.
• Work experience in aging services preferred.
• Hospice Only: Work experience in hospice or home health preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities  

• Knowledge of gerontology and an understanding of the needs of the aging.
• Flexible and productive in an environment with regular interruptions.
• Display high levels of customer service, responding promptly and thoroughly to the inquiries and needs of individuals both internal and external to the organization.
• Possess effective problem solving skills.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office, Outlook, Internet, and other applications.  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS NECESSARY TO PERFORM THIS JOB

Incumbent must be able to:

• Perform light work, with occasional or negligible lifting of objects weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Effectively communicate, including following oral and written instructions, in order to communicate with people inside and outside the organization.
• Able to effectively use office equipment to review and create information.
• Work at a desk for extended periods and perform long hours of work on a computer. 
• Frequently stand and walk to move around office/building repeatedly throughout the day.
• Able to work a flexible work schedule, including overtime, nights and weekends as required including attending events/meetings as needed.
• Able to work on-call and/or additional hours, and respond timely when contacted while on-call.
• Able to obtain reliable transportation.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

• Use telephone, computer and standard office equipment. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment is primarily indoors.   Occasional exposure to a variety of weather conditions in traveling outside of the workplace or attending events held outdoors. 

This job description does not necessarily list all the functions or accountabilities of the job.  Employees may be asked by management to perform additional duties and tasks.  Management reserves the right to revise and update job descriptions at any time.

Sholom is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and veteran or disability status.