Associate Chaplain

Job Summary

The Associate Chaplain is the spiritual care specialist of the care team responsible for assessing spiritual care needs and providing direct spiritual care and consultation to patients, and families. Within the Spiritual Health Services (SHS) department, the chaplain serves as a mentor to students (e.g., Clinical Pastoral Education residents and interns), along with SHS volunteers, who are authorized to provide ministry on behalf of Fairview. Associate chaplains work with other members of the interdisciplinary team to identify and respond to spiritual and emotional needs.

Essential Functions

• Is self-reflective, including identifying one’s professional strengths and limitations in the provision of care.
• Uses one’s own professional authority as a spiritual care provider through direct spiritual care for patients and families based on assessment of spiritual needs in clinical assignment and during assigned on-call shifts.
• Advocates for patients and families.
• Triages and manages crises in the practice of spiritual care.
• Promotes, facilitates, and supports ethical decision making.
• Fosters a collaborative relationship with community clergy and faith group leaders.
• Demonstrates ability to provide care or service adjusting approaches to reflect developmental level and cultural differences of population served, including spiritual/religious informed care or service.
• Exercises skillful listening, compassionate presence & clear communication in one-on-one, small group, care conferences, and interdisciplinary team meetings.
• Provides/arranges for provision of sacraments/ rituals/prayers and integrative modalities at the request of patients and/or family members in a manner aligning with the traditions of the particular patient, family member, or significant other.
• Orients and mentors CPE interns and residents during their CPE unit(s).
• Provides feedback as a part of the clinical coordinator role within the educational process.
• Participates in regular meetings of the department.
• Demonstrates knowledge of bio-medical ethics and ability to support ethical reflection and decision-making of patients, families and staff.

Required for All Jobs

• Performs other duties as assigned
• Complies with all policies and standards

QUALIFICATIONS

• Level Education Required:
  • Graduate degree in Theology from approved theological seminary/university, or completion of training in mentored religious tradition as defined by that religious tradition
  • Four or more units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) accredited by Association of Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) Required