This is a meaningful, recovery-oriented role serving Individuals in Care (IICs) within a clinical behavioral-health environment. The chaplain delivers spiritual care, leads weekly worship, facilitates spirituality groups, and integrates Islamic spiritual care into the hospital’s interdisciplinary treatment model.
Note: This position is contingent upon contract award. Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply now to be included in our proposal.
Worksite | Saint Elizabeths Hospital, 1100 Alabama Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20032 |
On-Site | Required, this is not a remote role |
Service Window | Between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. |
Weekly Commitment | Friday Jumu’ah service, 12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. (arrive by 12:00 p.m. for setup; breakdown after service) |
• Conduct weekly Jumu’ah congregational worship services, including the Adhan, Khutbah (sermon), Salat al-Jummah, and post-prayer interaction
• Lead Islamic prayer and provide spiritual counseling and support for Muslim IICs
• Guide Individuals in Care through the Shahada (Islamic conversion) upon request
• Maintain continuity of services during planned absences via written setup instructions
• Provide weekly, patient-centered religious consultations (Mushawara/Shura), addressing spiritual concerns, religious questions, and accommodation needs
• Offer faith-sensitive support for emotional wellbeing using principles of Islamic pastoral psychology
• Conduct spiritual assessments and provide ongoing spiritual support
• Coordinate with clinical staff on prayer arrangements, fasting guidance, Qur’an access, and religious items
• Design and facilitate monthly spirituality groups on assigned units and in Therapeutic Learning Centers — inclusive of non-Muslim participants
• Develop optional Islamic study groups and educational classes appropriate to varying levels of religious literacy
• Provide general Islamic education and interfaith consultation to non-Muslim IICs, families, and staff as appropriate
• Coordinate programming for all major Islamic observances: Al-Hijra, Ramadan (fasting and Iftar), Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Mawlid an-Nabi, Laylat al-Qadr, Ashura, and Al-Isra wal-Miraj
• Develop a one-year Islamic engagement curriculum within ten (10) days of award
• Meet twice monthly with the Director of Chaplaincy Services; participate in quarterly performance reviews
• Complete clinical notes in Avatar within 24 hours of each consultation
• Submit attendance logs, monthly consultation reports, monthly group reports, and quarterly reports on schedule
• Maintain accurate records and report missed/rescheduled hours within one business day
• At least 3 years of experience performing Islamic Chaplaincy services within a government, healthcare, institutional behavioral-health, nonprofit, or community-based setting
• Bachelor’s degree (minimum)
• One (1) completed unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) from ACPE, SCA, CPSP, or ICPT OR willingness to sign a letter agreeing to complete one unit of CPE with Saint Elizabeths Hospital within one year of contract award
• Three (3) professional references able to complete Past Performance Evaluation forms, at least one from the chaplaincy experience entities listed above
• Proficiency in Qur’anic recitation, Islamic theology (Aqdah), and Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh)
• Trauma-informed spiritual support and interfaith awareness in a clinical/behavioral-health setting
• Ability to deliver recovery-based, culturally and ethnically diverse spiritual care
• Strong documentation discipline and ability to work within an interdisciplinary clinical team
• Familiarity with HIPAA and confidentiality requirements
Selected candidate must complete the following prior to providing services:
• Saint Elizabeths Hospital new-hire training (estimated two weeks), including safety, clinical environment orientation, and patient-interaction modules
• FBI background check, fingerprinting, and all required security clearance processes
• Proof of immunizations and medical clearance, including TB testing and vaccinations, per SEH policy
• Signed confidentiality agreements and adherence to the DC Code of Conduct for Religious and Spiritual Officials
The Chaplain provides spiritual care only and shall not provide psychotherapy, clinical evaluation, medical decision-making, or any service outside the scope of spiritual care. All interactions must adhere to HIPAA, SEH policies, and trauma-informed care principles.
Submit the following to
talent@dhakatech.us
:1. Current CV/resume detailing chaplaincy experience (with organizations, periods of performance, and scope)
2. Copy of bachelor’s (or higher) degree
3. CPE transcript/certificate or a statement of willingness to complete one unit with SEH within one year
4. Three professional references for Past Performance verification