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Work with patients/families to understand implications of the suggested medical treatment plan in the framework of their spiritual beliefs, to work through difficult issues, and to support the interdisciplinary health care team.
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Available to consult and debrief with Avera departments, groups, and individual staff members in the event of unexpected or unsettling events. Communicate with the interdisciplinary health care team and obtain pertinent information regarding the patient’s condition, family dynamics, and the health care teams’ understanding of the need for spiritual care.
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Plan, facilitate, coordinate, and deliver pastoral and spiritual care to patients, families and staff who are formally consulted, who may be referred as part of the interdisciplinary team, the patient’s/family’s request, or through general rounding throughout the Avera facilities. Explore with the patient and family belief and meaning in illness and crisis situations, respecting the goals, desires, and choices of each person.
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Gather and evaluate relevant data pertinent to the patient’s situation and/or bio- psycho-social-spiritual/religious health. Assessment and reassessment are fundamental parts of the Chaplain’s duties, assisting other team members in the development of the patient’s plan of care.
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Assist patients/families/staff in times of crisis, bereavement, and important end of life questions and decisions. This will include addressing patients and families in distress.
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Provide encouragement and support during illness, empowering patients to embrace their spiritual/religious strengths and inner resources for healing.
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Proficient in planning, facilitating, coordinating and delivering leadership of spirituality groups, ecumenical devotional services, family conferences, public prayers at Avera meetings, including but not limited to dedications and remembrance services.
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Serve as a liaison to Catholic Chaplains to assist in facilitating and coordinating Sacramental Roman Catholic Ministry needs and requests. Serve as a liaison to community clergy; contacting them for specific family/patient needs or requests. Be a public relations advocate and may invite community clergy to visit their parishioners as appropriate, within Avera policies and guidelines.
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Document information in the electronic record that is relevant to the patient’s medical, psycho-social and spiritual/religious goals. The documentation recognizes regulatory guidelines regarding confidentiality, while providing the interdisciplinary team with information about relevant spiritual needs and concerns that impact the patient’s care and disposition.