Chaplain Certified II - Spiritual Care

Summary:

Under the supervision of the Vice President of Mission Integration and Spiritual Care Services, the Chaplain Certified II provides spiritual care to patients, families and associates reaching across religious and cultural boundaries. Provides ethical and spiritual guidance to patients and families to help make treatment choices. Promotes a spiritual environment within the hospital by participating/organizing prayer services on special occasions, prayer in patient waiting areas and through the PA system. The above ministry goals are accomplished by the chaplain by visiting patients in assigned areas, providing follow-up ministry as needed, by taking spiritual care calls, making sacramental referral to priest chaplain, making appropriate notations and by keeping required professional expertise and skills updated. 

Responsibilities:

Provides supportive spiritual care to patients and families through empathic listening, exploring various spiritual and emotional issues, and by providing appropriate spiritual intervention such as prayer, spiritual support, crisis intervention etc.:

• Makes initial visit of new patients in assigned areas promptly after admission. Verifies the religion of the patient to provide appropriate follow-up ministry. Contacts family to verify religion and for other support when patient is unable to communicate.
• Explores with the patient various spiritual issues and needs to make spiritual assessment and provides appropriate intervention.
• Provides ministry of prayers and rituals as appropriate.
• Serves as member of the multidisciplinary team.
• Makes referral to other chaplains or other services when needed.
• Protects and respects confidentiality of patient information
• Provides ministry to family members especially in times of crises.
• Makes appropriate documentation of service provided.
• Catholic Lay Chaplain brings Communion to Catholic patients as needed.

Provides supportive ministry to associates:

• Provides spiritual, emotional and religious ministry to associates as needed.
• Facilitates communication and conflict resolution among associates and patients/families when needed.
• Assists associates in personal crises or work-related stress.
• Provides emotional support to associates in times of tragedy or loss.
• Promotes a spiritual environment for associates
• Participates in daily prayer service over the PA system
• Assists departments to plan and organize prayer services.

Participates in a team spirit and takes "on-call duty" as assigned by the supervisor:

• Takes "on-call duty" as assigned
• Is willing and available and responds promptly in a caring and compassionate manner to all spiritual care referrals including emergency and crisis situations
• Makes referral to priest chaplains for sacramental ministry.
  

Responsible for personal and professional growth and knowledge, and for providing ethical guidance to patients, families and associates:

• Takes initiative in updating professional skills by attending seminars, video and audio-conferences and the use of professional literature.
• Is knowledgeable about department policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of "Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services"
• Takes initiative in updating knowledge of Medical Ethics

 Responsible for providing Ethical guidance to patients, families, and care givers:

• Guides patients, families and associates in Ethical Issues
• Assists patients/families in completing Advance Directive/Declarations
• Consults with associates and patients about ethical concerns and issues.
• Participates in/organizes physician-family conferences to provide ethical and spiritual guidance.

Contribution to effective functioning of the department:

• Attends and actively contributes to departmental meetings
• Is able to use computer as needed
• Is able to use copier, printer, telephone etc. when needed.
• Is able to manage time effectively and prioritize services.
• Contributes helpful and innovative ideas.

Does special projects for the department as needed:

• Does special projects, as assigned by the supervisor.
• Takes initiative in facilitating /preparing prayer services on special occasions such as Memorial Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas etc.
  

Addresses Spiritual needs of the associates:

• Provides education (“in-service”) on Spirituality to departments of the hospital when needed.
• Promotes and participates in any “spirituality in the work place” practices at the hospital.
• Periodically meets with associates in the assigned work area to foster a supportive environment.
• Is available for addressing the spiritual needs of associates. 

Ministry to the community:

• Works with the area clergy and church groups and provides education of Advance directives and other topics such as palliative care in the community outside the hospital as needed.
• Promotes a supportive environment for visiting clergy.
• Helps the visiting clergy with information on the Core Values and Mission of the hospital, and any other necessary information or assistance.
• Works with Church groups to promote health care awareness as needed.

Requirements:

Education/Skills

• Understanding of Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services. Four Units of CPE.

Experience

• Two years of experience in hospital ministry or equivalent. 

Licenses, Registrations or Certifications

• Demonstrated connection to a recognized religious community /body. Endorsement from appropriate ecclesiastical authority consistent with denominational practice. Current Certification by NACC (National Association of Catholic Chaplains), or APC (Association of Professional Chaplains), or Association of VA Chaplains.

Work Schedule:

5 Days - 8 Hours

Work Type:

Full Time