Chaplain

The Pastoral Care Chaplain provides pastoral care consistent with Catholic Health’s mission to humbly join together to bring Christ’s healing mission and the mission of mercy of the Catholic church to our communities, offering spiritual support to patients, families, and Mercy Hospital staff.

The ideal candidate will possess knowledge of the emotional effects of death, grief, and loss, and will have the ability to be open, flexible, and ecumenical in ministry. This position requires strong interpersonal skills and the ability to relate to the terminally ill for effective interaction with patients and families.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Ensure the delivery of a complete program of spiritual care to patients, their loved ones, and staff.

• As part of the pastoral care team the Chaplain provides a comforting presence to patients and families in times of distress.
• The Chaplain is available for spiritual care and counseling to hospital staff.
• As chaplain he/she participates in interdisciplinary Health Care Teams, providing medical staff with insights on patients’ spiritual well-being and religious needs.
• He responds to patient referrals by health care team members.
• He/she will assess and respond compassionately to individual patient/family spiritual needs on regularly scheduled daily visitations, i.e., new admissions, inpatient units, emergency room, intensive care units, and, as requested.
• As chaplain responds to emergency calls in a timely and professional manner.
• The Chaplain directly supports the Palliative Care team according to the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, sixth edition, by providing moral and ethical guidance in critical decisions and on end-of-life medical care.

• The Chaplain is responsible for stablishing positive working relationships with all members of the health care team, as well as with hospital volunteer Eucharistic Ministers and volunteer spiritual companions.
• The Chaplain is responsible for attending and participating in Pastoral Care department meetings.
• Keeps records and share information as set forth by HIPAA.
• Serve on committees of the hospital as requested and approved by Director of Chaplaincy.

• Make referrals to appropriate departments within the hospital according to patient’s need.
• The Chaplain is expected to regularly confer with the nursing personnel of the hospital units about the religious and spiritual condition of the patients and their immediate families.
• The Chaplain is required to appropriately document on the patient’s medical record all important events that may affect medical care. (except matters that are protected by the seal of confession)
• All persons serving in CHSLI hospitals and care facilities must comply with the established HIPAA regulations for the use and disclosure of Protected Health Information.

Minimum Requirements:

• Board certification or eligible for board certification through National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC), Association of Professional Chaplains (APC), or Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC)
• Undergraduate degree from an accredited college
• Graduate-level theological degree from an accredited college, university, or theological school
• Four units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE)
• Ability to interface with and support individuals from diverse cultural and faith traditions.
• Ability to work with interdisciplinary teams of doctors, nurses, social workers, etc.
• Must be certified or certification-eligible by, and in good standing with the National Association of Catholic Chaplains and Association of Professional Chaplains.
• Experience in Chaplaincy required.
• Be current in the payment of the professional association’s annual dues.    
• Minimum of one year experience in chaplaincy required
• Member in good standing with one’s own professional association
• Willingness to travel to the homes of patient/family members

Salary : $30 - $38