Spiritual Care in Hospice and the Role of the Spiritual Counselor

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Video Runtime: 52 Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: 36 Minutes

Spiritual care in hospice is a vital component of the interdisciplinary team, but it can be misunderstood. This course will provide clarification on the role of spiritual care, as well as the differences and similarities between religious and spiritual care. Additionally, essential elements of a spiritual care counselor, and aspects of the role of spiritual care, are discussed. A practical tool for developing rapport is presented, as well as a description of companioning. Developing goals and interventions within relevant scope of practice is a critical aspect for the hospice interdisciplinary team—unique goals, interventions, and documenting outcomes are demonstrated. Collaborating with the RN case manager while using the SBAR tool is illustrated. This course would be appropriate for hospice leadership, RNs, spiritual care providers, and hospice social workers.

Meet your instructor

Danette M. Muzic

After spending 15 years in private practice counseling, Danette M. Muzic felt as though she had come home when she began hospice work more than 12 years ago. Danette is passionate about companioning patients and families through the dying process and bereavement. As manager of support services for a large hospice…

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Chapters & learning objectives

1. Spiritual Care Is Not Just for the Religious

This chapter includes a summary of the Hospice Medicare Conditions of Participation as they relate to spiritual care, and a description of the nature of spiritual and religious care. It is emphasized that spiritual assessments are done at the time of admission and on an ongoing basis in order to develop and update the patient’s plan of care. The patient and family drive the spiritual goals and interventions.

2. Essential Qualities of an Effective Spiritual Care Provider

This chapter covers the essential qualities of a spiritual care counselor and emphasizes the responsibility of the spiritual counselor to set an example of being open-minded and accepting of those with different worldviews.

3. The Role of a Spiritual Care Provider

In this chapter, the lifestyle technique of companioning is described through lecture and a demonstration. Additionally, we discuss the essential responsibilities of a hospice spiritual care provider.

4. Developing Care Plans for Spiritual Care and Documentation

In this chapter, we discuss the essential practice of developing care plans—goals and interventions that are driven by the patient and family. The importance of accurate and thorough documentation, including documentation of outcomes and collaboration, is demonstrated.

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