What are the responsibilities and job description for the Catholic Priest Chaplain position at Eisenhower Medical Center?
- Job Objective: A brief overview of the position.
- Provides direct patient care primarily but not exclusively to Catholic patients, by making spiritual assessments; prioritizes spiritual care needs and provides timely spiritual care interventions based on assessments; provides sacraments, spiritual counseling and addresses needs. Provides these same services for patients' loved ones, for EH staff and volunteers, as requested. Prepares for and oversees appropriate rituals and services. Utilizes community spiritual leaders and volunteers to help meet the needs of patients, their loved ones, EH staff and volunteers. Counsels, supports and provides educational opportunities for EH staff and volunteers.
- Reports to
- Director-Spiritual Care
- Supervises
- Volunteer Chaplain Assistants
- Ages of Patients
- N/A
- Blood Borne Pathogens
- Minimal/No Potential
- Qualifications
- Education
- Required: Bachelor's Degree of Divinity or equivalent or religious degree from a seminary; endorsement by the Diocese of San Bernardino to serve as a chaplain within the diocese, within one (1) year of hire date; four units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) within three (3) years of hire date.
- Licensure/Certification
- Required: Board Certified Chaplain through the National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC); or in process of becoming Board Certified, and will attain certification within four (4) years of hire date
- Experience
- Required: Three (3) years of experience in spiritual care
- Education
- Essential Responsibilities
- Demonstrates compliance with all applicable policies and practices, Code of Conduct and compliance policies, and takes action to resolve compliance questions or concerns and report suspected violations.
- Provides for sacramental needs of Catholic patients, including Sacrament of Reconciliation, Sacrament of the Sick, Holy Communion, and others as needed.
- Celebrates Catholic mass in the Eisenhower Chapel on a regular basis, as agreed with the Director of Spiritual Care; and as needed for funerals and other special occasions.
- Oversees and ensures timely delivery of spiritual care, primarily to Catholic patients and their loved ones; but also, to patients, visitors, EH staff and volunteers of all faith traditions.
- Anticipates spiritual and emotional needs of patients and their loved ones, and responds appropriately.
- Trains and supervises Volunteer Chaplain Assistants in providing spiritual care to patients.
- Provides spiritual care services with an interdisciplinary approach.
- Maintains accurate records of spiritual services activities; documents visits and interventions appropriately, adhering to organizational standards; completes appropriate flowsheets and notes in the electronic medical chart (Epic) reporting on patient visits.
- Assists patients and their loved ones in ethical decision making.
- Responds promptly to requests for spiritual care visits and ritual sacramental needs; keeps scheduled appointments with patients.
- Maintains an ongoing, caring relationship with EH staff and volunteers.
- Provides spiritual counseling to patients, their loved ones, EH staff and volunteers when requested or required.
- Shares "On-Call" responsibility with other chaplains and community clergy.
- Conducts appropriate services as requested - rituals, sacraments, memorials and general blessings.
- Collaborates with Director of Spiritual Care to conduct training sessions for new and active members of the Spiritual Care team.
- Supports an interdisciplinary and interfaith approach to spiritual care.
- Maintains a good relationship with local clergy and leaders of all denominations and faith-based entities.
- Refers patients, their loved ones, EH staff and volunteers to appropriate professionals, such as behavioral health professionals, for services beyond the scope of chaplaincy practice.
- Assists local clergy in their hospital visitations.
- Maintains endorsement in good standing with the Diocese of San Bernardino.
- Maintains continuing education through academic studies, seminar, and workshop experiences.
- Performs other duties as assigned.