59A-38.010. Spiritual Counseling Services

(1) The hospice shall employ a clergy-person or pastoral counselor to provide spiritual counseling. The clergy-person or pastoral counselor shall have a degree in ministry from a college, university or divinity school; or shall have completed a clinical pastoral education program with an emphasis in health care ministry; or shall have completed formal training and is recognized as qualified to perform pastoral services in his or her religion or belief system. The clergy-person or pastoral counselor shall also have completed a hospice training program sponsored by the employing hospice. Duties shall be enumerated in a job description, including job qualifications, which shall be kept in an administrative file. (2) The clergy-person or pastoral counselor shall assist the administrator in developing, documenting and implementing policies and procedures regulating the delivery of such services. (3) The hospice shall ensure, by employment or contractual arrangement, that there are sufficient clergy-persons or pastoral counselors to provide spiritual support to the patient population of the hospice and the patients’ families. (4) The hospice and its agents shall not impose the dictates of any value or belief system on its patients and their families.