Hospice Spiritual Counselor

The Elizabeth Hospice Spiritual Counselor provides emotional, spiritual care and counseling to patients, caregivers and bereaved. Duties include conducting spiritual assessment, developing spiritual care plans, and providing spiritual and grief counseling according to the plan of care in collaboration with the Interdisciplinary Group (IDG).

Annual Salary: $57,000-$78,000; Subject to experience and qualifications.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

On-Call: 2 Shifts per month

Weekend Commitment: 2 Shifts on a weekend day per month

Work Location: May Include Central and East San Diego County

Travel Required for patient visits.

The Elizabeth Hospice is San Diego's oldest non-profit hospice of 45 years. We are growing and looking for talented individuals to join our high performing team and support our mission. We serve all of San Diego county and south Riverside county with multiple hospice office locations.

Our Mission: To enhance the quality of life for those nearing the end of life's journey and for those who grieve.

Assure spiritual assessment of patient/family/caregivers and appropriate services are provided in a timely manner.
1. Develops, coordinates and implements a plan of care to meet identified spiritual needs.
2. Provides direct spiritual care, counseling and grief support to patient/families/caregivers.
3. Assesses patient/family/caregiver response to spiritual support intervention.
4. Coordinates spiritual care/support to patients/families in keeping with their belief system.
5. Interface with and facilitate visits by local clergy, pastoral counselors and other individuals within the patient's faith/support community who can support the patient's spiritual needs.
6. Use tactful, appropriate and professional communication with all patients/families/caregivers across cultures and the lifespan.
7. Provide spiritual support/counseling in crisis situations and at time of death if requested.
8. Attend patient care conference and IDG meetings as a member of the IDG.
9. Participates in the IDG with a concise presentation of the patient's spiritual plan of care and plan for further interventions.
10. Assist patients with end-of-life planning such as providing mortuary resources.
11. Assist patients with end-of-life choices and decisions including Advanced Healthcare Directives and POLSTs.
12. Maintains timely patient documentation using "point of care" electronic charting.
13. Educate external customers to hospice through community involvement.
14. Present hospice services to potential patients and families and obtain consent for hospice services.
15. Respond to local contracted hospitals requests for spiritual support.
16. Represent the Elizabeth Hospice in the community in a professional manner upholding the mission, vision and values of the agency.
17. Provide education and support to internal customers regarding spiritual/psychological care.
18. Plan and lead memorial services and funerals as requested.
19. Provides consultation, education and support to the IDG on spiritual care.
20. Plans periodic memorial services to meet the needs of personnel, volunteers, and community clergy/spiritual counselors working with the hospice team.
21. Participates in training and mentoring of new staff.
22. Provide on-call and/or weekend Spiritual Counselor coverage.
23. Is available for staff counseling and grief support.
24. Attends staff meetings and scheduled in-services.
25. Demonstrates willingness and ability to respond to changes in agency operational needs, including fluctuations in census and/or acuity, by changing assignments or flexing schedules.
26. Accepts and performs other duties as assigned.
27. Adhering to the E-way standards is a requirement in performing my job duties.

1. Must have Master of Divinity Degree (MDiv.) or an equivalent graduate degree that includes theological studies: four (4) Clinical Pastoral Education units or equivalent clinical training and experience required; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
2. Experience in education, spiritual and pastoral counseling; experience in conducting worship services/memorials preferred.
3. Must possess the fundamental skills of planning, organizing, facilitating, coordinating, collaborating and the ability to communicate effectively with all constituencies of The Elizabeth Hospice.
4. Must possess computer skills to include but not limited to MS Office, email and calendaring software.
5. Requires excellent verbal and written communication skills.
6. Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred.
7. Hospice and/or home health experience preferred.
8. Current CPR certification.
9. Current negative TB skin test.
10. Computer skills related to email, scheduling and data entry.
11. Current California driver's license and proof of auto insurance required.

We place a high importance on our employees and reward staff in several ways such as:

• Competitive hospice industry compensation
• Benefits package with multiple plan offerings and generous employer contribution
• 401(k) Retirement plan with employer match
• Supportive work culture which encourages work life balance
• Substantial Paid Time Off, paid holidays & floating holiday
• Employee development program managed by in-house education department to support individualized orientation and professional growth needs.
• Tuition Reimbursement program
• Monthly mileage reimbursement
• Employee Referral Program

"The Elizabeth Hospice is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law."