America's Home Health Services·Worcester, Massachusetts
The Hospice Chaplain provides individualized spiritual care, assessments, and emotional support to patients and families during end-of-life transitions. They collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to ensure holistic care and document all interventions in accordance with regulations.
At Comfortia Hospice, we believe that exceptional end-of-life care addresses not only physical needs but also the emotional and spiritual well-being of every patient and family we serve. We are seeking a compassionate, experienced Hospice Chaplain to join our interdisciplinary team and provide individualized spiritual care that honors each patient's beliefs, values, culture, and wishes.
If you are called to walk alongside patients and families during one of life's most sacred journeys, we invite you to become part of our mission.
The Hospice Chaplain is responsible for assessing, planning, implementing, and documenting spiritual care services for hospice patients, families, caregivers, and bereaved individuals. The Chaplain serves as an integral member of the interdisciplinary group (IDG), collaborating with physicians, nurses, social workers, hospice aides, volunteers, and other team members to ensure holistic, patient-centered care.
The Chaplain respects the patient's right to choose or decline spiritual services and provides care without discrimination based on religion, culture, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, or personal beliefs.
Essential responsibilities
Complete comprehensive spiritual assessments for hospice patients and families.
Develop and implement individualized spiritual care plans.
Provide spiritual counseling, emotional support, prayer, rituals, sacraments (when appropriate), and compassionate presence based on patient preference.
Respect each patient's faith tradition, personal beliefs, cultural practices, or decision to decline spiritual care.
Coordinate with community clergy, faith leaders, and religious organizations at the patient's request.
Participate as an active member of the Hospice Interdisciplinary Group (IDG).
Collaborate with physicians, nurses, social workers, hospice aides, volunteers, and bereavement staff to ensure coordinated care.
Document all assessments, visits, interventions, patient responses, and care plan updates in the electronic medical record in accordance with Medicare and Massachusetts hospice regulations.
Participate in care conferences and ongoing plan of care reviews.
Provide spiritual support during actively dying and end-of-life transitions.
Offer grief support and participate in bereavement services as appropriate.
Assist patients and families with advance care planning, legacy work, life review, forgiveness, reconciliation, and meaning-centered conversations.
Respond to urgent spiritual care needs during evenings, weekends, or holidays as assigned.
Educate staff regarding spiritual issues impacting patient care.
Maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA requirements.
Participate in agency orientation, continuing education, quality improvement activities, and mandatory in-service training.
Graduate degree in Divinity, Theology, Pastoral Care, Religious Studies, or a closely related field from an accredited institution; or
Equivalent theological education recognized by the applicant's faith tradition; or
Qualifications consistent with the standards of the applicant's religious denomination or faith group to provide professional spiritual care.
Knowledge, skills & abilities
Strong interpersonal and active listening skills.
Ability to support individuals from all faiths and those with no religious affiliation.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently while functioning collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team.
Strong organizational and documentation skills.
Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.
Compassion, empathy, emotional resilience, and cultural sensitivity.
Comfortia Hospice is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Requires a graduate degree in Divinity, Theology, or a related field, or equivalent theological education recognized by a faith tradition. Preference is given to candidates with at least one year of experience in healthcare or hospice settings.
Market context
Hospice chaplain positions in Massachusetts are often sought by candidates with graduate theological training and some healthcare or hospice experience, reflecting steady demand for spiritual care in end-of-life settings. These roles can be competitive because employers look for both faith-based preparation and comfort supporting patients, families, and interdisciplinary care teams. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to quickly compare fit, then tailor your application to highlight clinical or hospice-facing ministry experience.