BLHS Position Description Chaplain

Non-exempt Updated: 03/21/2024

Reports to: Bethany Lutheran Health Services Administrator

Primary Duties: The Chaplain of Bethany Lutheran Health Services focuses on providing for the spiritual well-being of our residents, tenants, their family and friends and staff. The Chaplain will collaborate with the Administrator to ensure that regulatory requirements are met and the spiritual concerns of residents and tenants are being respected and addressed.

Qualifications:

• Rostered leader in Evangelical Lutheran Church of America or Missouri Synod
• Masters of Divinity, Theology, Spiritual Direction, Pastoral Ministry with specialized training in Chaplaincy and/or other relevant training
• Effective communication and organizational skills
• Minimum of 2 years of related experience

Strategy:

Residents, Tenants and Families

1. Completes Spiritual Assessment for new admissions to BLHS.
2. Utilizes Spiritual Assessment to update care plan. Participates in weekly care conference meetings to ensure spiritual care needs of residents and tenants are met.
3. Attends manager and staff meetings.
4. Contacts the pastor of each resident, with resident approval, upon admission and as health care changes or upon discharge.
5. Visits with residents, tenants, family members and friends ensuring that their spiritual needs are being met. Documents visits.
6. Makes hospital visits to residents and tenants.
7. Be available, as requested by resident or family, at the time of death of a resident or tenant.
8. Attends funeral services or visitations of deceased residents, tenants and community members. 

Spiritual Activities for Resident and Tenant Groups:

1. Coordinates Sunday services with sponsoring churches
2. Makes provisions for sacraments to be administered
3. Arranges for Holy Communion to be served by resident or tenant’s clergy
4. Coordinates midweek services 
5. Leads Bible studies and other group gatherings
6. Coordinates special services associated with holidays throughout the year
7. Coordinates or arranges for devotions at the noon meal
8. Conducts quarterly memorial services following the death of residents or tenants
9. Arrange for the care of the altar and other associated items used for worship in the Chapel

Sponsor Churches:

1. Develops and fosters collaborative relationships with community clergy and faith group leaders with focus on all sponsor churches.
2. Preach, as requested.

Annual Meeting of BLHS:

1. Coordinates with Administrator to host and prepare for annual meeting

2.Interacts with clergy from sponsoring churches and administrator to identify potential board nominees

Staff Support:

1. May provide grief counseling to staff
2. Provides referrals to appropriate resources, including EAP

Additional Duties:

1. Provides input to annual budget
2. Contributes to the newsletter and other media 

Bethany is recruiting for a full-time Chaplain but this position may be filled by two part-time applicants.