Chaplain Associate

Chaplain Associate- Per Diem - Hrs/Weeks, Holidays/Weekends - As Needed

The mission of the staff chaplain is to promote healing by addressing the spiritual and emotional needs of our patients, families and staff while respecting their beliefs and values.

The chaplain reports to the Director of Spiritual Care Services at Saint Elizabeth's Medical Center. He/She is a member of the Spiritual Care Department of SEMC.

Promotes the mission and philosophy of the Steward Health Care System within the particular setting of Saint Elizabeth's Medical Center, as it pertains to the provision of spiritual and emotional care. She/he does this by offering spiritual care to patients, their families, and the hospital community through ministries of a listening and pastoral presence, spiritual support, emotional availability, pastoral counseling and appropriate referral. She/he has the ability to establish and maintain good staff relationships and to function with other members of the health care team. She/he has the ability to listen, understand and minister to the specific spiritual needs of persons in crisis. She/he has the openness and ability to offer spiritual care to persons of varying faith-affiliations and no faith affiliation. She/he is well adjusted religiously and emotionally, comfortable with the ill and the dying patient. She/he will reach out to the local clergy and laity involved with the spiritual care of the sick when/if expressly desired. She/he also contributes to the establishing of a network of pastoral and sacramental care of the sick as they return to their local community of the faith.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provides superior customer service to internal and external clients, customers, and patients as referenced in the “Service Excellence Standards”.
• Is conscientious and self-directive in conducting spiritual care visits on medical units and to take initiative to meet the spiritual care needs of patients, their families and staff.
• Responds to codes and makes appropriate referrals to other staff chaplains/priest chaplains for sacramental care.
• Receives referrals from admitting office/hospitality staff, other staff chaplains, nursing staff, physicians and other members of the interdisciplinary medical team and other hospital personnel.
• Provides spiritual care and counseling as assigned and/or as needed, and upon request to enlist the priest chaplain to meet the expressed sacramental needs of patients, families, and staff.
• Is available for committee participation, educational programs and community outreach when scheduled
• Performs other duties (i.e. leading prayer services and/or spirituality/support groups) as directed in cooperation with the Director of Spiritual Care Services.
• Cooperates with the Director of Spiritual Care Services and other hospital staff in orienting new employees to the role of pastoral ministry of Saint Elizabeth's Medical Center.
• Attends Spiritual Care Services Department Staff meetings as able or scheduled.
• Shares emergency coverage as scheduled.
• Assumes responsibility for personal, spiritual and professional growth in accordance with Professional Standards set forth in by certifying body of the NACC, APC or NAJC
• Performs duties as assigned

Job Relationships:

• Uses an interdisciplinary method that collaborates with the clinical and administrative staff of Saint Elizabeth's Medical Center.
• Collaborates with local clergy in the surrounding communities regarding the provision of appropriate spiritual and emotional care to the members of their faith communities (as is necessary and ONLY with explicit permission granted by the patient/family etc.).

Reporting Requirements:

• Maintains daily charting of spiritual care visits to sick as well as charting of other functions/duties (i.e. -- Code 99's, family conferences, ethical consults, groups, daily tracking log activities etc.).

• Accountability:

  Currently accountable to the Director of Spiritual Care Services at Saint Elizabeth's Medical Center. Full time and part-time chaplains are required to be present in hospital 8.5 hours a day. Unless otherwise, arranged with department director.

Minimum skills/abilities:

• Understands the needs of those who are sick and dying as well as the needs of their families.
• Is sensitive and attentive to the spiritual and emotional needs of the staff of St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center.
• Has the ability to work collaboratively as a member the Interdisciplinary medical teams on all
• Units/depts. of SEMC.
• Demonstrates good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Has the ability to lead others in prayer and prepare remembrance services and other appropriate rituals that assist individuals in the grieving process within the hospital setting.
• Knowledge of, and respect for, other religions and spiritual traditions (trained as interfaith chaplain).

Minimum Education:

Masters of Divinity or Master’s Degree in Pastoral Ministry and Clinical Pastoral Education

Minimum Experience:

Two years’ experience

Certification/Licensure:

NACC , NAJC and/or APC (Preferred) –other equivalent certifying bodies may be acceptable upon review.

Training:

3-4 units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) —preferably 4 units as well as additional specialized training such as: end-of-life care, crisis intervention training, domestic violence advocate training, bereavement/grief-counseling etc/

Special Qualifications:

Is currently endorsed, or in good standing—by his/her ecclesiastical body (employs or practices a faith/spirituality).

Upholds the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services (ERD’s) of November 1994, issued by the United States Bishops.