Spiritual counseling. If spiritual counseling is provided, it shall be provided by a spiritual counselor recognized by the gov- erning body to possess the capability to provide spiritual, religious and emotional support to the patient and, as necessary, the patient’s family. Neither the patient nor the patient’s family may be required or requested to accept any value or belief system. The spiritual counselor shall:
1. Regularly reassess the patient and family spiritual needs relative to the changing status of the patient’s terminal condition;
2. Support and assist the patient or the patient’s family or both; and
3. Develop and maintain contact, subject to the patient’s approval, with the patient’s identified religious representative;
Spiritual counseling. The hospice must:
(i) Provide an assessment of the pa- tient’s and family’s spiritual needs.
(ii) Provide spiritual counseling to meet these needs in accordance with the patient’s and family’s acceptance of this service, and in a manner con- sistent with patient and family beliefs and desires.
(iii) Make all reasonable efforts to fa- cilitate visits by local clergy, pastoral counselors, or other individuals who can support the patient’s spiritual needs to the best of its ability.
(iv) Advise the patient and family of this service.
