What are the responsibilities and job description for the Catholic Chaplain position at UMC Health System?
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Job SummaryThe Catholic Chaplain ministers to the religious/spiritual/emotional needs of patients, families, and staff. Must be comfortable in crisis situations and have the ability to work under stress and difficult situations in an appropriate manner.
Reports to:
Job Specific Responsibilities
Daily assignments may include but are not limited to:
- Providing sacraments and pastoral/spiritual care to patients, families, and staff, both Catholic and interfaith. Responds to referrals and consults in a timely manner and rounds daily in assigned areas. Documents the services provided.
- Assure compliance with current regulations, laws, and hospital policy by promoting patient confidentiality, patient rights, respecting cultural and religious diversity. Participates in professional development education events.
- Serves on interdisciplinary care teams and hospital committees coordinating necessary information with the Pastoral Care Staff.
- Support the Volunteer Chaplain’s Association by providing encouragement, continually recruiting volunteers, participating in education, and offering spiritual support as needed to the volunteers.
- Participates in performance improvement by supporting the strategic plan of the hospital, and the department. Offers solutions to problems, shares insights and ideas for development of best practices.
- Creates relationships with appropriate persons and organizations to assure ongoing support of UMC, the Pastoral Care Department and the Volunteer Chaplain’s Association by connecting with local churches, pastors, lay people, community leaders and visiting clergy.
- Performs other duties as assigned by the Director of Pastoral Care which may/may not include:
Sympathy Cards
Volunteer Chaplain Assistance
No One Dies Alone
Community Outreach
Replenishment
Staff Education
Blessing of the Hands
CISM debriefings/defusing's
Education and Experience
- Bachelors degree in Christian Education, Religion, or related degree
- Clinical Patoral Education- 4 units
Required Licensures/Certifications/Registrations
- Ordained priest, duly accredited by and in good standing with the Roman Catholic Church and approved by the Bishop of the diocese in which UMC is located.
- A lay person or ordained deacon that is endorsed by Roman Catholic Ecclesiastical authority, with demonstrated pastoral competence, in good standing with the Roman Catholic Church and approved by the Bishop of the diocese in which UMC is located.
Skills and Abilities
- Effective communicator; Fluent in both written and verbal English
- Ability to minister to persons with diverse religious and cultural backgrounds
- Ability to show empathy during patient care, providing trauma and crisis intervention and public relation skills
- Ability to interact with employees, patients, their family members, and medical staff on a professional level
Interaction with Other Departments and Other Relationships
Interacts with most departments at UMC. Interactions often include Nursing staff, Emergency Center staff, and staff Physicians, Residents, and Fellows. Must be able to minister to the personal spiritual needs of the medical staff, professional and technical staff, other employees, and the patients and their families. He/she must also be able to interact on a professional level with the same persons. Also, must interact with the general public in recruiting new volunteer chaplains.
Physical Capabilities
Job requires walking, standing, and sitting during the shift. On call schedule is applicable and hours may vary according to business needs
Environmental/Working Conditions
This position is subject to inside environmental changes that may include constant change in temperatures.
Direct Reports
N/A
UMC Health System provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of 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.
*Request for accommodations in the hire process should be directed to UMC Human Resources.*
