Clinical Chaplain

About the Role

The Clinical Chaplain provides compassionate pastoral ministry to all patients, residents, their families, loved ones, and team members. This role supports individuals in times of crisis, anxiety, or sorrow, facilitates communication with caregivers outside the healthcare team, and serves as a subject-matter expert in pastoral care. The chaplain collaborates with community clergy to provide ongoing spiritual support and ensures respect for diverse religious beliefs, customs, and traditions.

Responsibilities

• Supports spiritual and emotional needs based on initial and ongoing spiritual assessments; documents actions and care plans in medical records.
• Develops patient spiritual care plans and collaborates with the care team by notating in the patient's chart.
• Conducts in-services for multidisciplinary team members on assessing and meeting spiritual care needs.
• Acts as a liaison between family and the clinical team during crises, with patient/resident consent, to support and comfort family members.
• Provides intensive pastoral care and spiritual counseling to patients, residents, families, and team members during and after critical events.
• Collaborates with the Palliative Care Team and attends palliative care meetings to support end-of-life care.
• Conducts patient/resident rounds to assess and address spiritual needs; collaborates with the care team on care planning.
• Visits patients, residents, and families who request pastoral care services.
• Participates in family conferences, as requested and clinically indicated, to support patients, families, physicians, and team members.
• Coordinates the use of local clergy and ministers from various faiths and denominations when appropriate.
• Provides theological framework to ensure spiritual care through coordinated efforts of the volunteer clergy network.
• Collaborates with volunteer service leaders on screening and training pastoral care volunteers.
• Participates in committee meetings to offer expertise, guidance, and education on pastoral care matters concerning religion, culture, and theology.
• Initiates or leads team members in emotional reflection at interdisciplinary team meetings, where requested and clinically relevant.
• Provides liturgical/sacramental ministry, including prayer, communion, emergency baptisms, memorial services, and hospital celebrations.
• Coordinates and leads didactics or educational training on pastoral care for care teams, when requested.
• Applies religious heritage, theological understanding, and behavioral sciences in pastoral ministry to persons and groups.
• Adheres to the highest ethical standards as outlined by the Association of Clinical Pastoral Educators.
• Maintains medical records, reports, and data for regulatory compliance and quality improvement.
• May be required to work weekends, carry a beeper, or respond to emergencies for pastoral support.
• Identifies and addresses the needs of diverse patient populations (e.g., age, culture, language, hearing/vision impairments).
• Communicates with patients, spouses, parents, or primary caregivers at their developmental, educational, and literacy levels.
• Adheres to organizational competencies and professional certification standards (e.g., ACPE, CPSP, NACC, CMS, Joint Commission).

Requirements

• Successfully completed two units of Clinical Pastoral Education from a nationally recognized and accredited organization.
• Commitment to pursue professional certification(s) within 12 months of hire (e.g., board-certified clinical chaplain, supervisor in training).
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in pastoral studies, theology, religious studies, or related field; or proof of enrollment in an accredited program leading to such a degree or certification.
• Three years of experience in pastoral ministry as a Lead Pastor or Assisting Minister.
• Two years of experience working in a clinical environment with patients and families facing life-threatening injury or illness.
• Endorsement from a pastoral leader of one’s religious denomination.
• Professional development or continuing education credits in pastoral ministry, counseling, or community issues.
• Computer proficiency for documentation, continuing education, and public presentations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree or enrollment in a graduate program from an accredited seminary or school of theology (M.Div. or Master of Theology).
• Board Certification as a Clinical Chaplain from a nationally recognized and accredited organization.
• Experience and formal education in pastoral counseling.

Pay

Minimum annual starting rate of $61,110.40. The posted rate is a reasonable good-faith estimate and may vary based on factors such as labor market data, experience, education, certifications, skills, geographic location, internal equity, and budget considerations. Full-time and part-time (20+ hours/week) positions include a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and retirement benefits. Certain roles may also be eligible for shift differentials, performance-based incentives, bonuses, or commissions.