Hospital Chaplain

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About the Role

The Chaplain provides compassionate spiritual and emotional support to patients, families, and staff within the hospital setting. This role focuses primarily on direct bedside pastoral care, responding to referrals for spiritual support, and participating as part of the interdisciplinary care team to address spiritual needs as part of holistic patient care. The Chaplain provides religious rites and rituals when requested and supports individuals experiencing illness, grief, or crisis.

Responsibilities

• Direct Spiritual Care
  • Provides direct bedside pastoral care and spiritual support to patients, families, and staff across assigned clinical areas.
  • Responds to referrals for spiritual care related to illness, crisis, grief, end-of-life needs, or hospitalization.
  • Provides prayer, scripture reading, blessings, sacraments, or other religious rites consistent with patient beliefs when requested.
  • Supports patients and families coping with illness, hospitalization, grief, and life transitions.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration
  • Communicates relevant spiritual care concerns with the care team when appropriate.
  • Participates in interdisciplinary rounds or care discussions as requested to support patient-centered care.
  • Refers complex spiritual care needs to Clinical Chaplains or department leadership as appropriate.
• Crisis Response and Staff Support
  • Responds to urgent pastoral care needs such as critical illness, trauma, or death notifications.
  • Provides spiritual and emotional support to hospital staff during stressful or difficult situations.
• Documentation and Compliance
  • Documents spiritual care encounters in the medical record in accordance with hospital policies and regulatory requirements.
  • Maintains confidentiality and follows professional and organizational standards of care.

Requirements

• Education Requirements: Master of Divinity (M.Div.) or equivalent graduate theological degree from an accredited seminary or university required.
• Licensure/Certification Requirements:
  • Completion of 4 units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) required.
  • Ordination or endorsement from a recognized denomination or faith group required.
• Professional Experience Requirements:
  • Hospital or healthcare ministry experience preferred.
  • Pastoral or parish ministry experience preferred.
  • Demonstrated ability to provide spiritual care to individuals from diverse religious, cultural, and spiritual backgrounds.
• Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities Requirements:
  • Strong listening, empathy, and pastoral counseling skills.
  • Ability to provide compassionate care in emotionally intense situations.
  • Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary healthcare environment.
  • Sensitivity to diverse religious traditions and cultural practices.

Job Details

Legal Employer: NCHEALTH | Entity: Johnston Health | Organization Unit: Spiritual/Volunteer Srvs

Pay

$24.98 - $35.91 per hour (Hiring Range). Pay offers are determined by experience and internal equity.

Schedule

• Work Type: Full Time
• Standard Hours Per Week: 30.00
• Work Assignment Type: Onsite
• Work Schedule: Day
• Job Location: US:NC:Smithfield
• Exempt From Overtime: Yes