Provide for the pastoral needs of patients, families and staff. The chaplain, through professional training and certification, assists patients to understand more fully life’s events as they relate to their spiritual and emotional well-being. From the patient’s life experience, the staff chaplain may offer prayer or reflection. The staff chaplain practices and promotes the mission, vision and values of ALMH and encourages employees in their living of the mission, vision and values. 

Embodies the Memorial Health System Performance Excellence Standards of Safety, Quality, Integrity and Stewardship that support our mission, vision and values.

Education:

• A bachelor’s degree in pastoral ministry, theology or a related field.

Licensure/Certification/Registry:

• Has at least one unit of CPE. It is preferred  that staff chaplain is working towards becoming board certified or professionally recognized by an appropriate certifying organization (National Association of Catholic Chaplains, Association of Professional Chaplains, Association of Clinical Pastoral Education or the American Association of Pastoral Counselors).

Experience:

• Three years experience in pastoral ministry preferred.
• Experience in working as part of a team, good communication skills.

1. Responsible for developing and implementing policy and procedures for the pastoral care program, utilizing knowledge of hospital operations.

2. Offers religious and spiritual guidance to patients, families and staff.

3. Visits new patients soon after admission and completes spiritual assessment and responds to the needs noted in this assessment.

4. Provides a supportive ministry to staff in their efforts to live the mission, vision and values of the hospital as they provide effective, total patient care.

5. Embodies the Memorial Health System Performance Excellence Standards of Safety, Quality, Integrity and Stewardship that support our mission, vision and values:
   • SAFETY: Prevent Harm - I will put safety first in everything I do.  I will speak up, without fear, on matters of patient and colleague safety.  I will take action to create an environment of zero harm.
   • QUALITY: Improve Outcomes - I will continually advance my knowledge and skills.  I will seek out continuous improvement opportunities.  I will deliver evidence-based care that leads to excellence in outcomes.
   • INTEGRITY: Show respect and Compassion - I will respect others and show compassion.  I will behave honesty and ethically.  I will be accountable for my attitude, actions and health.
   • STEWARDSHIP: Reduce Waste - I will use resources wisely and maintain financial stability.  I will work together to coordinate care and services across the health system.  I will promote healthier communities.

6. Advocates for the spiritual needs of patients, making appropriate referral or interventions with other staff members.

7. Assists dying patients to meet their needs, carry out their desires, preserve their dignity etc. through presence, prayer, empathy, understanding and cooperation. Acts as a support to families and staff.

8. Creates and maintains an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis as well as a calm environment.

9. Facilitates the celebration of the sacraments as appropriate to his or her clerical status.

10. When requested, organizes worship services in creative and ecumenical ways.

11. Responds to referrals and provides crisis intervention.

12. Serve as pastoral care consultant to local clergy and to the religious community as needed or requested.

13. Demonstrates self-directed learning by attending workshops, seminars etc. to keep abreast of current changes in the health care field, as well as to maintain a professional status of certification.

14. Contributes significantly to projects which benefit the department or hospital.

15. Serves on hospital committees as invited.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job.  Incumbents may be requested to perform tasks other than those specifically presented in this description