Chaplain

Work Shift

Day/Evening

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Summary

This position supports Mercy's philosophy of patient centered care by addressing the spiritual and emotional needs of patients, families, and staff. Chaplains are members of the interdisciplinary care teams and participate in the provision of holistic care.

Job Description

Job Duties

• Assesses and cares for the spiritual/emotional needs of patients, families, and staff.
• Documents patient/family assessments in the clinical records.
• Participates in creating a plan of care in collaboration with the inter-disciplinary care team.
• Plans and leads worship services.
• Leads prayer with patients, families, or with staff.
• Provides community education on Advance Directives or pastoral care related topics.
• Provides/facilitates Sacramental support to the patients (including assisting the Catholic priest chaplains in providing the Eucharist, as needed).
• Offers to contact local clergy if necessary or requested by patient/family.
• Follows Mercy's safety guidelines, carries out job-specific safety duties and responsibilities, and promptly reports any unsafe conditions, situations, incidents and injuries.
• The chaplain assigned to the Palliative Care Team attends team meetings and conducts palliative care consults.
• Participates in Pastoral Care staff meetings and staff education.
• Carries the on call cell phone in rotation with the other chaplains and overnight as needed.
• Facilitates discussion regarding end of life wishes and notarizes Advance Directives.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrates excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Functions effectively under stress or in crisis situations.
• Facilitates ethical consensus and decision making with patients, families, and staff.
• Helps others discover meaning in amidst suffering, grief, and loss.
• Has a working knowledge of the Ethical & Religious Directives for Catholic Healthcare Services.
• Maintains confidentiality of all hospital and patient information as required by hospital policy.
• Demonstrates an understanding and commitment to the interdisciplinary philosophy.
• Relates to persons of diverse cultural and spiritual beliefs.
• Engages actively in one’s educational and professional development.

Professional Experience

• Two years clinical chaplaincy experience preferred.

Education

• A Master’s degree in theology, divinity, religious studies, or pastoral ministry preferred. The department requires CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) 4 units within a required time (in consultation with department manager) upon hiring.

Licensure, Certification, Registration

• Certification by National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC), Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE), or Association of Professional Chaplains (APC) or actively working to acquire within a required time by the department (in consultation with the department manager). 
• A practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church preferred.
• Iowa Dependent Adult Abuse & Iowa Child Abuse Mandatory Reporter training required.  Employee must submit certification of completed training prior to start or transfer date.
• Current valid driver's license, valid auto insurance, and own transportation required.

Pay Rate Type

Salary

Mercy is an independent, community-based organization supporting the Cedar Rapids area for over 120 years.

Mercy is an equal-opportunity employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion and therefore evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, civil union status, parental status, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.