Chaplain -Advocate Children's Hospital

Major Responsibilities:

• Deliverance of a wholistic ministry of pastoral care and sacraments for patients, families, physicians and associates.
  •     6)Promotes patient safety by reporting of issues through established channels and participating in safety initiatives.
  •     1)Provides developmental appropriate pastoral care services, consultation and short term counseling to patients, families, physicians, and associates as assigned and in accordance with department policies.
  •     2)Provides or facilitates sacramental ministries.
  •     3)Responds to codes and other emergencies or crises.
  •     4)Provides consultation to members of the health care team to aid in assessing the role of a patient’s faith perspective and faith community in recovery.
  •     5)Assists families with their needs in relation to the patience’s illness so they are enabled to provide supportive care to the patient: assists family members in understanding procedures surrounding a death and in contacting families or other significant persons.
• Participation in the life and work of the department to assure integrated efficient services.
  •     4)Serves on department, site, or system committees as needed.
  •     5)Submits required reports by the dates required.
  •     1)Participates in providing overall site coverage.
  •     2)Works shifts as needed to provide 24 hour per day coverage, including weekends and holidays.
  •     3)Conducts chapel services and memorial services as scheduled.
• Participation in grand rounds, case conferences, teams meetings, identifying resolving ethical dilemmas in assigned areas.
  •     3)Facilitates and encourages discussion and decision making related to medical-ethical dilemmas, such as, termination of treatment, organ donations, do not resuscitate (DNR) orders, living wills and durable power of attorney, and ensures that religious/faith issues are addressed.
  •     4)Represents the values of the religious communities to health care professionals and hospital associates.
  •     1)Participates in patient care planning, interdisciplinary team activities and development, staff and patient directed support groups, orients new team members.
  •     2)Conducts or participates in support groups for patients and families and/or the interdisciplinary team.
• Support of the Advocate mission, values and philosophy in areas of clinical responsibilities.
  •     1)Interprets the Advocate mission and philosophy in primary areas of assignment/specialization and assist managers in development of goals and objectives to enhance implementation.
  •     2)Supports the hospital ministry of parish clergy with referrals, information, education, counseling, and consultation.
  •     3)Participates, where feasible, in community clergy associations.
  •     4)Serves, when possible, as guest pastor of area churches.
  •     5)Serves as resource to clergy, churches and community groups to enhance hospital community liaisons.
• Participation in educational initiatives and support groups for patients and families, hospital staff, community and church groups.
  •     1)Provides educational opportunities relating to health care concerns in their area of specialization to physicians, interdisciplinary team members, pastoral care colleagues and students, clergy, church and community groups.
  •     2)Facilitates and/or speaks at support groups at the hospital and in the community.
  •     3)Participates in critical incident stress management sessions, debriefings and staff support sessions.
• Maintenance of good standing and ecclesiastical endorsement through active participation in the life and work of one’s faith group.
  •     1)Participates in mandatory faith group retreats and meetings.
  •     2)Complies with faith group requirements to maintain endorsement.

Education/Experience Required:

• 1) Master of Divinity or equivalency. If equivalency, a letter is required from a certification agency (APC, NACC, ACPE, NAJC) stating that the theological education standards for certification have been met. 2) Four units of CPE from an acredited ACPE site. (preferably in a pediatric setting) 3) A letter of eccesiastical endorsement from theirfaith community. If the letter is not present, it must be obrained by the chaplain within one year of date of hire. 4) Certification from a profesional chaplaincy agency (APC, NACC, ACPE, NAJC). If a applicant has #1-#3 above, that person may be hired provisionally with the understanding that certification must be completed within eighteen months of their date of hire .

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• minimum typing skills and ability to navigate computers for electronic charting
• Applicant needs to meet #1 through #3 above. In addition: Certification from a profesional chaplaincy agency (APC, NACC, ACPE, NAJC) within eighteen months of hire.
• Prior clinical experience as a pediatric chaplain: 3 years 

• Demonstrated knowledge of stages of faith and spiritual development. 

  Demonstrated knowledge of psychosocial development, family systems, and relational dynamics. 

Physicial Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Strong communication and human relation skills. Conflict and crisis management experience. Small and large group leadership skills. Available for on-call, varying shifts and weekend worship. 50 hours of work related Continuing Education must be submitted to the immediate supervisor each year at the time of chaplain's annual performance review.
• If position has direct patient care or direct patient contact the following lifting requirement supersedes any previous lifting requirement effective 06/01/2015. Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance. For patient lifts of over 35 pounds, or when patient is unable to assist with the lift, patient handling equipment is expected to be used, with at least one other associate, when available. Unique patient lifting/movement situations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.

#LI- Chaplain