Job Abstract

Thank you for considering a career at Mercy Health

Summary of Primary Function General Purpose of Position

Under the direction of the Director of Mission or Director of Spiritual Care, the Chaplain III ministers to patients, families, and staff around religious and spiritual needs.  As an integral member of the multidisciplinary team, the chaplain provides spiritual care and emotional support within the context of illness, crisis, loss, and death.  The chaplain is committed to the Mission and models its core values.

Essential Job Functions

• Recognizes the sacramental needs of the Catholic population.
• Provide for religious and ritual needs of diverse faith groups.
• Minister to a diverse population in a non-proselytizing manner and provide basic emotional and spiritual support to patients, visitors, our community, and fellow associates.
• Collaborate with fellow team members and the interdisciplinary team including appropriate referrals that serve those in their care. 
• Provide effective pastoral ministry by employing, in addition to basic pastoral skills, advanced pastoral care and counseling techniques, including but not limited to, emotional processing, reframing for meanings and perspectives, and facilitation of deeper theological and personal reflections.
• Demonstrate proficiency in conducting full-spectrum spiritual care assessment and care planning process. 
• Demonstrate proficiency in psychotherapeutic models, theoretical frameworks of praxis, pastoral theology, pastoral care and counseling, or healthcare ethics.
• Provides a specialized perspective at clinical care conferences while addressing the spiritual and emotional aspects of holistic care.  Provide consultation for cases with significant relational, familial, religious, or cultural dynamics and engender appropriate spiritual care outcomes.
• Provide effective spiritual interventions in end-of-life situations and crisis cases (Code Blue, Death, Trauma, etc.). 
• Coordinate delivery of pastoral care resources for complex patient care situations and collaborate with Departmental leaders in making appropriate referrals.
• Provide Advanced Care Planning consultations and elicits care preferences including Advanced Medical Directives documentation
• Deliver a specialized service in area of expertise or assignment (e.g. palliative care, mental health, pediatrics, ethics, and mission leadership) per organizational needs.
• Develop, manage, and deliver educational content in areas of advanced certification or subject-matter expertise to departmental colleagues or those of other disciplines.
• Convene and facilitate staff-support interdisciplinary conversations as appropriate.  Lead reflective listening group sessions after a significant tragic or traumatic event as requested by leaders.
• Provide effective advisement to clinical leaders on ethical and moral concerns as needed.
• Integrate best practices from spiritual care research and quality improvement outcomes into workflow processes.
• Publish articles in academic journals or research publications in areas of spiritual care, theology, or ethics.
• Program planning and management.
• May co-lead seminars and CPE units with program certified educator.
• May provide one-to-one and group supervision under the supervision of ACPE Certified Educator.
• Professionally communicates clinically relevant information in the EMR benefitting interdisciplinary care.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the Ethical and Religious Directives of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and adheres to the policies of the BSMH as a Catholic healthcare organization.
• 24/7 call with expectations for holidays/weekends

This document is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, or working conditions associated with the job. Employees may be required to perform other job-related duties as required by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation.

Licensing/Certification

Completed four or more units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) (required)

Board certification by a professional certifying organization (National Association of Catholic Chaplains, Association of Professional Chaplains, Association of Jewish Chaplains, Association of Clinical Pastoral Education, Association of Pastoral Counselors) (required)

Advanced certification in specialty area of Chaplaincy, Ethics or an equivalent (preferred) or ACPE Certified Educator Candidate (CEC)

Education

Master's degree in Theology or Pastoral Studies (required)

Master's degree in Divinity (preferred)

Doctoral degree in Theology, Ministry or Philosophy (preferred)

Work Experience

Completion of lay ministry or ordination process (preferred)

Documentation of faith community endorsement by official representative(s) reflecting good standing in accordance with the requirements of his/her own faith/spiritual tradition to be involved in hospital ministry. (required)

3 years of progressive experience as a Chaplain (required) 

Training

none

Language

None

Patient Population – Competency is based on the patient population of the site/facility

Not applicable for this position

Working Conditions

Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur

May be exposed to physical altercations and verbal abuse

May be exposed to limited hazardous substances or body fluids*

May have periods of constant interruptions

General office environment

Required to car travel to off-site locations, occasionally in adverse weather conditions

* Individuals in this position are required to exercise universal precautions, use personal protective equipment and devices, and learn the policies concerning infection control.

Skills

Ability to be present to others in their illness or crisis

Ability to provide pastoral support within the context of the patient's culture, values and belief system

Active listening

Apply Ethical Practices

Clinical Pastoral Care

Collaboration

Communication

Crisis counseling

Crisis Intervention

Demonstrate Empathy

Flexibility 

Good interpersonal skills

Healthcare Ethics

Human Relations

Interfaith Dialogue

Ministering to diverse populations

Organization Skills

Pastoral Care

Pastoral Counseling

Pastoral Ministries

Pastoral Theology

Planning

Presentation Skills

Public Relations

Relationship building

Religious Studies

Spiritual Care

Spiritual Care Assessments

Spiritual Support

Teamwork

Theological Reflection

Verbal Communication

Written Communication

Facilitation of theological reflections

Medical Ethics

Catholic Social Teaching

Ability to lead and coordinate prayer and worship services

Ability to teach an understanding of diverse theology and ecclesiology

Leadership

Publish Content

Knowledge of Advanced Medical Directives

Content Development

Moral Philosophy

Moral Values

Critical Incident Stress Debriefing

Mercy Health is an equal opportunity employer.

Many of our opportunities reward* your hard work with:

• Comprehensive, affordable medical, dental and vision plans
• Prescription drug coverage
• Flexible spending accounts
• Life insurance w/AD&D
• Employer contributions to retirement savings plan when eligible
• Paid time off
• Educational Assistance
• And much more

*Benefits offerings vary according to employment status

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

Work Shift:

Department:

All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, or protected veteran status, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. If you’d like to view a copy of the affirmative action plan or policy statement for  Mercy Health – Youngstown, Ohio or Bon Secours – Franklin, Virginia; Petersburg, Virginia; and Emporia, Virginia, which are Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer, please email recruitment@mercy.com. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact The Talent Acquisition Team at recruitment@mercy.com