Chaplain

NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan is the community hospital of choice for residents of East Harlem, northern Manhattan, and neighboring communities. The hospital provides culturally‑sensitive care in a welcoming setting, emphasizing primary care medicine and utilizing the latest advances in medical science. Metropolitan delivers high‑quality health services with compassion, dignity, and respect to all, without exception. Founded in 1875, it is affiliated with New York Medical College, representing the oldest partnership between a hospital and a private medical school in the United States. As part of NYC Health + Hospitals, the largest municipal health system in the country, the organization’s mission is to deliver high‑quality health services without exception, guided by the ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence).

Responsibilities

• Visit and interview patients to ascertain their spiritual/religious background, evaluate their spiritual/religious needs, and advise on specialized resources of the Chaplaincy/Spiritual Care Department.
• Respond to patient, family, and staff requests for chaplaincy care in a timely manner.
• Comfort, counsel, and advise individuals, families, and staff experiencing personal, moral, and spiritual problems, including those associated with trauma and/or death.
• Document all chaplaincy care activities promptly and accurately.
• Assist patients, families, and staff in meeting their spiritual/religious needs by leading and/or arranging ritual and worship opportunities and support groups.
• Organize and conduct spiritual/religious educational programs.
• Provide guidance to volunteers and interns in the Chaplaincy/Spiritual Care Department.
• Maintain liaison and cooperative relationships with community organizations.
• Coordinate special departmental programs such as holiday gift‑giving to ill patients, food/clothing drives, and other spiritual/religious gatherings for staff and community members.
• Perform related work as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Divinity, Islamic Studies, Sacred Theology, or a related discipline.
• Documented letter of endorsement from a faith‑based institution affiliated with the appropriate denomination, dated within the last six (6) months.
• Completion of four (4) Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) units (approximately 1,600 hours of clinical pastoral training) or current and valid chaplain certification issued by the Association for Professional Chaplains (APC), Board of Chaplaincy Certification Inc. (BCCI), National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC), Neshama: National Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC), or an equivalent certifying body.
• Alternatively, one (1) year of community‑based experience as a recognized spiritual/religious leader.
• Note: A documented letter of endorsement may be substituted by an academic degree or chaplain certification endorsed within the last six (6) months by a faith‑based institution affiliated with the appropriate denomination; the endorsement or its substitute must be dated within six (6) months prior to the date of hire.