This is professional rehabilitation and counseling work in a program of religious guidance and spiritual welfare for patients or inmates in a county facility.

An incumbent of this class is responsible for counseling and ministering to patients, prisoners, and members of their families, for conducting worship services and planning devotional activities. Emphasis of the work is on assisting patients distraught due to illness, family members who are bereaved or prisoners who need guidance in achieving a successful return to normal activity. Duties require the exercise of considerable knowledge of human behavior, and personality deviations which precipitate criminal acts. Work is performed under an administrative superior who provides guidance in departmental procedures and policies, and provisions of state statutes or local laws affecting the program of the facility.

ILLUSTRATIVE TASKS

Schedules and conducts institution worship services; conducts individual or group religion instructional services of a rehabilitative nature.

Interviews and counsels inmates and patients and encourages participation in religious activities; advises on personal and family problems and offers spiritual guidance; calls on and cooperates with social assistance agencies to extend services to inmates, patients or their families as needed; offers advice on religious reading materials for inmates and patients.

Visits bedside of patients to offer spiritual guidance in recovery; comforts those who are terminally ill and gives assistance to distraught families; cooperates with physicians to assist patients in maintaining mental and physical health; administers baptisms, communion and other sacraments.

Participates in rehabilitation programs in the facility; counsels institution staff when requested; plans religious programs and may enlist the support of community church groups in providing appropriate music or sermons for religious programs and worship.

Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGES, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

Considerable knowledge of sacred theology and the religious doctrine of the denomination represented.

Considerable knowledge of religious instructional material of the faith represented.

Considerable knowledge of those phases of ecclesiastical dogma relevant to spiritual guidance of a rehabilitative nature for the ill or imprisoned.

Knowledge of methods and techniques used in pastoral care.

Some knowledge of basic principles and concepts of behavioral science.

Ability to counsel and guide individuals in a hospital.

Ability to design and implement a program of religious worship and to encourage spiritual development.

Ability to recognize abnormal attitudes and behavior patterns and to recommend appropriate remedial action.

Ability to meet with community groups to obtain cooperation in religious activities.

Ability to comfort the seriously ill and members of their families.

Ability to respond appropriately to the needs and feelings of clients.

REV 10-78