Pastoral Care - Chaplain - Assisted Living/Memory Care

Chaplain - Assisted Living Memory Care

RPH is seeking a Part Time Chaplain to provide spiritual leadership to elders, family members, and employees at RPH’s three communities:   Creekstone Memory Care, Fairport, NY, Cottage Grove Memory Care, N. Chili, NY and Homestead Memory Care Rochester, NY.   www.rph.org

The role is responsible for providing spiritual and emotional support through individual and group activities, non-denominational religious services, compassionate listening, and responsiveness to specific spiritual needs.

The Rochester Presbyterian Home in Rochester, NY has been serving Elders for over 90 years. RPH also manages RPH-East Memory Care Residences at Creekstone in Fairport, NY and RPH West Memory Care Residences at Cottage Grove in North Chili, NY.

Status: Part Time

These residences are unique assisted living communities – one of the first of its kind in New York State. They are designed to provide the latest in long-term care for persons with early to mid-stage dementia. Each of the charming farmhouse-style homes have no long corridors, nurse stations or medication carts – just a warm, welcoming environment where residents can thrive in mind, body and spirit nurtured by the comforts and routines of home and family.

The Rochester Presbyterian Home was selected as a Rochester Top Workplace by the Democrat and Chronicle and has been serving Elders for over 90 years.  

Current employees’ comments on what you can expect if you join the RPH family:  Fun!, Respect!, commitment to our Elders!, Love and care, Families! Team work!, Safe and Secure!

Together with the people who live here, their families and our community, we are committed to nurturing the human mind, body and spirit. We are dedicated to creating a human habitat that revolves around plants, animals and people of all ages AND everyone has the opportunity to experience JOY, MEANING and FULFILLMENT.
       
 If this sounds like the best place on earth to work, take a closer look at what else we offer at www.rph.org: competitive wages, comprehensive employee benefits and other incentives all in an environment of mutual respect and acceptance, where we smile, laugh and make our work rewarding and fun.

Essential Job Functions (specific to the Chaplain):  

• Ensure religious services are offered in-person weekly at each campus and on Easter and Christmas and are in locations accessible to all residents.
• Collaborate with other staff to ensure Sunday services are in place in each community (in-person or on-screen). 
• Provide a Bible Study program or other educational program weekly or bi-weekly.
• Provide a music program featuring hymns and other spiritual music weekly or bi-weekly.
• Provide a memorial service monthly or quarterly as needed in remembrance and respect for those who have died and in support of neighbors, families, and staff. Comfort mourners.
• Transport residents to/from spiritual activities and programming. Provide a prayer at mealtimes when on-site. Dine with residents when requested or available.
• Develop meaningful relationships with every elder to build trust and understand their faith histories and current spiritual needs (which may change). Be a source of strength and comfort as needed during their spiritual journey. Meet new residents during their introductory period (first two weeks) to ensure they or their families are aware of the spiritual programming offered and how they can reach you for specific spiritual needs. 
• Provide one-on-one support to all residents, but especially those residents experiencing a difficult adjustment or emotional crisis, residents returning from hospital/rehab or entering hospice.
• Be a source of comfort and support to family members and staff who are experiencing loss and grief. Develop a monthly support group for families at each campus to help families cope with aging. Involve community experts as needed.
• Connect and build relationships with other local clergy to provide complimentary support as needed with specific residents, including an elder’s existing spiritual advisor. 
• Identify clergy to provide programming during planned absences (PTO) and develop a list of clergy who may volunteer during illnesses or other short-term absences.
• Encourage volunteerism from faith communities and connect them to the appropriate department leadership. 

Universal Job Responsibilities (those that are expected of every RPH employee, volunteer, or contractor)

• Act in a professional manner always. Create and maintain a warm atmosphere of positivity and  calmness. 

• Perform all assigned tasks and assignments in accordance with policy and procedures and as instructed by Leadership.
• Ensure residents are treated with dignity and respect and that resident rights are maintained. Collaborate and cooperate with colleagues to ensure elders’ needs are met and elder care is seamless and effective. 
• Validate, reassure, and redirect elders if distressed to ensure comfort and well-being. Redirect unsafe wandering and behavior into meaningful exercise and activity.
• Report all resident incidents and accidents during the shift when they occur. Report all grievances or concerns.

• Ensure that work areas are kept in a clean, safe, and sanitary state. Report on maintenance needs. Clean up after activities and programming.

Requirements:

• Must be an ordained minister, possess a Master of Divinity degree or degree involving theological studies and have three years of applicable experience in a ministry position.  Experience working with older adults is a plus. 
• Must be 18+ years of age 
• Must possess valid and clean Driver's License.
• Ability to communicate in English (reading, speaking, and understanding). Possess interpersonal and communication skills to communicate tactfully with co-workers, residents, family members, visitors, government regulators and the public. Ability to maintain confidential information and treat all elders and staff with respect. 
• Exhibit a positive attitude. Able to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team. Have the ability to make mature, independent decisions in a timely manner. Be a quick learner, empathetic, compassionate, and with the ability to preserve the dignity and self-image of residents. 
• Able to act professionally and dependably – arrive on time, communicate variances as needed. Able to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Willingness to attend and participate in on-the-job training.

Disclaimer

The duties listed in this job description are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed and is not an all-inclusive summary of job duties and responsibilities.  The omission of specific statements or duties and responsibilities does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.  This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by RPH as the needs of the Company and requirements of the job change.

The Rochester Presbyterian Home is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We work to ensure that no employee or potential employee is denied equal opportunity because of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, status as a parent, national origin, age, disability (physical or mental), family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors.

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