Resident Chaplain

Job Description

Job Summary

The Chaplain provides emotional, spiritual, and pastoral support to patients, families, and hospital staff during times of illness, crisis, or transition. As a member of the interdisciplinary care team, the Chaplain facilitates spiritual care services tailored to individual needs and preferences, regardless of faith tradition or belief system. This role also serves as a resource for employee wellness and supports a culture of compassion and holistic care throughout the organization.

Essential Functions

• Provides spiritual and emotional support to patients and families facing illness, grief, end-of-life care, and crisis situations.
• Participates in interdisciplinary rounds and collaborates with the care team to support the holistic needs of patients.
• Offers crisis intervention and spiritual counseling to patients, visitors, and staff during times of trauma, loss, or significant stress.
• Provides spiritual care in a respectful and inclusive manner, honoring cultural and religious diversity.
• Facilitates rituals, prayer, blessings, or sacraments as requested by patients or families.
• Assists with advance care planning conversations, end-of-life discussions, and bereavement support in collaboration with clinical teams.
• Supports employee well-being through spiritual debriefings, routine staff rounding, and availability for one-on-one conversations.
• Maintains relationships with local faith communities and clergy, coordinating community visits or spiritual services when appropriate.
• Documents spiritual care encounters in the electronic medical record according to policy.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Complies with all policies and standards.

Qualifications

• Master of Divinity or equivalent graduate degree from an accredited theological institution required
• Minimum of one (1) year of residency preferred
• 0-1 years of experience providing spiritual care in a healthcare, hospice, or crisis setting required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of spiritual and emotional needs related to illness, trauma, loss, and end-of-life care.
• Ability to provide respectful, compassionate care across diverse faiths, cultures, and belief systems.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to work collaboratively with patients, families, staff, and community clergy.
• Crisis intervention and active listening skills.
• Familiarity with electronic documentation and confidentiality standards.
• Understanding of ethical principles related to patient rights, dignity, and spiritual autonomy.

Licenses and Certifications

• BCC - Board Certified Chaplain through a recognized chaplaincy organization (e.g., APC, NACC, NAJC) required
• Completion of at least four (4) units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) preferred