CHAPLAIN - SUPPORT
About The Position
The staff chaplain is a clinically trained care provider who can address the spiritual and emotional concerns of those using and providing hospital services. The support chaplain will provide these services for varying shifts and hours based on the needs of the department during shortages of staff chaplains due to illness, vacation and/or increased organizational needs As an on-call member of the healthcare team, the Staff Chaplain participates in the Spiritual Care Department’s ministry of presence, spiritual and emotional support, and encouragement for patients, families, and staff. The Staff Chaplain also facilitates bereavement and other types of support groups, provides sacramental and worship opportunities, serves as a resource for other hospital programs and committees, provides support for patients and families struggling with difficult healthcare decisions, promotes collaboration with local faith communities, and serves as a visible symbol of care for the whole person.
Requirements
- M.Div. degree (or equivalent) or be in process from an accredited seminary, divinity school, school of religion or university.
- Carry or be seeking endorsement from the chaplain’s particular ecclesiastical or endorsing body.
- Minimum of one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education.
- Minimum of one year experience in an acute care facility.
- Possess adequate emotional adjustment and religious growth so as to be reasonably comfortable with crisis, stress, or emotional involvement, a warm, friendly, understanding and flexible personality
- Possess the ability to work with other ministers and persons of diverse religious, cultural and racial backgrounds
- Have skill in dealing with all personnel and departments of the hospital
- Have the ability to work with an interfaith team
- Professional spiritual/pastoral caregiving skills and competencies including a healing presence and empathetic listening skills.
- Professional knowledge and personal integration of the human realities of suffering, pain, death, and dying and the ability to be reasonably calm and comfortable when working in crisis and stressful situations.
- Spiritual and emotional maturity.
- Ability to communicate with and work in a collaborative and respectful manner with diverse persons representing a variety of religious and spiritual needs and traditions
- Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing
- Ability to think clearly in stressful situations
- Ability to work effectively as a member of an interfaith Spiritual Care Department.
- Ability to articulate and advocate for ethical practices and decision-making.
- Basic computer skills (Microsoft Windows, Outlook, Word, and Electronic Medical Record applications)
Responsibilities
- Participates in the Spiritual Care Department’s ministry of presence
- Provides spiritual and emotional support, and encouragement for patients, families, and staff
- Facilitates bereavement and other types of support groups
- Provides sacramental and worship opportunities
- Serves as a resource for other hospital programs and committees
- Provides support for patients and families struggling with difficult healthcare decisions
- Promotes collaboration with local faith communities
- Serves as a visible symbol of care for the whole person
