James Michio Watanabe

Seeks position a Hospice Chaplain/ Bereavement Coordinator

Compassionate [Desired Position] with solid background in providing emotional and spiritual support to terminally ill patients and their families. Successfully facilitated end-of-life care discussions and offered grief counseling to help families navigate difficult times. Demonstrated strong interpersonal and communication skills to foster trusting relationships and provide comfort.

Compassionate spiritual care professional with experience in providing emotional and spiritual support to patients and families in hospice settings. Strong focus on team collaboration, adaptability, and achieving meaningful outcomes. Skilled in grief counseling, patient advocacy, and end-of-life care, with calm and empathetic demeanor that fosters trust and comfort.

Experienced with providing spiritual and emotional support to terminally ill patients and their families. Utilizes empathetic communication and active listening to address needs of patients and their loved ones. Strong understanding of end-of-life care processes and grief counseling techniques to ensure comprehensive support.

Hospice care professional prepared to offer compassionate spiritual support to patients and families during end-of-life stages. Proven background in conducting meaningful ceremonies, providing grief counseling, and collaborating with healthcare teams to ensure holistic care. Known for adaptability, reliability, and strong focus on compassionate service and patient comfort.

1. Coordinated with the Vet Center to provide care for incarcerated veterans.

2. Developed and implemented several programs to help incarcerated men understand rolls and relationships in the local church.

3. Designed and implemented a grief program for incarcerated women inmates.

4. Coordinated with faith groups to provide spiritual care for inmates. Notably, Native American, Jewish, Islam, and Wicca.

5. Developed a safe haven for deployed soldiers who were to stressed out to work efficiently.

6. Conducted "Ramp Ceremony" for deceased soldiers while deployed to Afghanistan.

North American Missions Board, Southern Baptist Convention

Japanese American Veterans Association

American Legion

US. Army Chaplain Corps

2 Units of CPE

• I am an ordained baptist minister with over 30 years of professional experience. I was an Army officer and chaplain since 1988, and have served on active duty as well as National Guard. In 2009-2010 I was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. I was able to minister to soldiers and sailors in a pluralistic religious environment, also, to include foreign allies and local civilians. My highest rank achieved was captain.
• I was a chaplain for the Federal Bureau of Prisons for 22 years. I have worked at most custody levels and with both male and female inmates and their families. I have also survived several hurricanes and several prison disturbances. My position as a chaplain was to provide spiritual care, and to accommodate religious practice of incarcerated citizens. Such as working with various religious groups to provide authentic religious support for religious teaching, studies, and holy days. e.g., Passover, and Ramadan to name a few. I was responsible for an annual budget and procuring services and items deemed necessary.
• In 2016 I began ministry in hospice care with Heart to Heart Hospice. I served there until 2019. Hospice chaplaincy is a challenging ministry with great personal rewards in ministering to those who are dying and to their loved ones. While working for Heart to Heart Hospice, I created a gift coin for our veteran patients. This was well received by veterans and their families.
• I also currently work for Broussard’s Mortuary as a funeral service worker.