Part time Chaplain

Description

The Mission of Bethany of the Northwest is “a call to ministry to serve the long and short term care needs of individuals in a loving family environment and enhance the quality and dignity of life with a focus on independence and self-determination.” The motivation for this mission is a belief in the value of all people prompted by love for God and one’s neighbors.

Bethany is a not-for-profit corporation of 32 Lutheran member congregations from a variety of denominational expressions, whose faith and life is centered in Jesus Christ. Bethany of the Northwest is pan-Lutheran at a local level through its member churches, at the national level Bethany is organizationally and administratively aligned with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Bethany is a certified Social Ministry of the ELCA and is also a member of Lutheran Services of America (LSA) as an ELCA affiliate. This national alignment with the ELCA is related to the history of Bethany and the denominational makeup of the Bethany member churches.

These congregations envision Bethany as a Ministry of the Church. Throughout Bethany’s history, these congregations, together with other ecumenical partners, have given spiritual and financial support to helping Bethany fulfill its mission. The relationship between Bethany of the Northwest and our Lutheran & ecumenical Partners is an essential ingredient in resourcing spiritual care services to nurture the wholeness and wellbeing of the people we serve.

The role of the Chaplain for Bethany of the Northwest is envisioned as a Rostered Pastor position with responsibility for Word and Sacrament Ministry among the residents, providing (or providing for through other spiritual care resources) the spiritual care of residents and staff throughout the Bethany system. The Chaplain will preside at worship, plan, coordinate, counsel and provide spiritual care services in accordance with the teachings and guidelines of the Church and current applicable federal, state and local standards and regulations which govern Bethany of the Northwest.

Although Bethany’s ministry and mission are identified with the Lutheran tradition, the Chaplain’s role is not one of proselytizing, but of extending the presence and power of God’s love to residents, their families, and staff, with sensitivity to their own religious or spiritual orientation.

Schedule: 16 hours per week schedule to be agreed

Pay Rate: $25-30 per hour DOE and certification

Benefits available:

• Employee discounts
• Paid Sick leave
• Double pay when working on holidays

Spiritual Care Functions:

1. Provide direct spiritual care to residents/patients, their families, and Bethany staff at various facilities and units of Bethany of the Northwest as assigned.

2. Preach the Word and administer the Sacraments for residents, their family members, and employees.

3. Lead spiritual enrichment such as (but not limited to): religious worship or devotional services, memorial services, Bible studies, and prayer groups.

Personnel Functions:

1. Collaborate with Spiritual care team to create a comprehensive spiritual care program to fully support the residents and staff of all Bethany facilities.

2. Serve as counsel to staff and employees as needed.

3. Develop and maintain a good working rapport with personnel within the organization to assure that the religious programs and activities can be properly maintained to meet the needs of the residents.

Staff Development:

1. Provide and participate in counseling, discussion groups and other sources of information for resident care as required.

2. Collaborating with Director of Spiritual Care, plan and conduct in-service training on spiritual care of residents, religious services available, etc.

3. Attend and participate in workshops, seminars, etc., to keep abreast of current changes in the health care field, as well as to achieve and maintain professional certification and status.

Qualifications

Specific Requirements:

• Must be a minister in good standing on the active roster of a Lutheran Church denomination represented by a Bethany member church (or a full communion partner).

• Candidates and their national church body must understand and agree to this as a ministry on an ecumenical ministry team, where pulpit and table fellowship between every ordained minister on the Chaplain team is requirement of the position. Ordained ministers on the Chaplain team could be from any national Lutheran body represented by the Bethany member churches, or from other protestant denominations which are in pulpit and table fellowship with these national Lutheran bodies.

• Must have a minimum of three (3) years’ experience in spiritual care ministry or related work.

• Must be oriented to health care practices and procedures.

o Clinical Pastoral Education by ACPE – Associate 1 unit, Staff/Sr Staff 4 units

o Chaplain Certification by APC – Associate: ACC w/in 3 years. Staff: BCC w/in 3 years.

o Clinical Chaplaincy experience in multiple contexts preferred

• Must be willing and able to minister to and work with individuals (residents, staff, and chaplain colleagues) of different genders, sexual orientations, ethnic, racial, cultural and faith traditions.

• Must have a working knowledge and understanding of cultural and religious diversity, (see page 5 Statement of Diversity). Interfaith, multicultural, and anti-racism training is a plus.

• Must be computer literate and competent with Microsoft Office tools.

• Attend and participate in continuing education programs.

Physical and Sensory Requirements (With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices):

• Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner.

• Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.

• Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to assure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.

• Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, support agencies and outside agencies.

• Must be in good general health and demonstrate emotional stability.

• Must be able to relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset and at times, hostile people within the facility.

• Must be able to assist in the evacuation of residents.

We are an equal opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination/harassment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Salary : $25 - $35