Priest Chaplain

The Priest Chaplain plays a key role in Catholic healthcare by ensuring that the spiritual needs of patients/residents families and staff are tended to and by contributing to the culture of holistic care. He is responsible for serving sacramental needs (that are reserved for a priest) of Roman Catholic patients 24/7 presiding at Mass leading other special liturgies such as blessings of new spaces and providing counsel on church teaching. In addition the priest-chaplain serves as staff chaplain for one or more clinical units/locations. As such he is responsible for ensuring the spiritual and religious needs of patients/residents and family are met on the assigned units. Responds to emergency pager requests 24/7 on a regular rotation as part of an on-call schedule. May also be called upon at times to provide back-up support to the on-call chaplain in crisis situations. The priest-chaplain relies on experience and judgment to perform the ministerial role. The Priest Chaplain operates independently under general supervision and within a pastoral care team reporting to the Director of Pastoral Care.

Job Function :

1. Chaplaincy Care with Patients and Families
   1. The chaplain gathers and evaluates relevant data pertinent to the patients situation and/or bio-psycho-social-spiritual/religious health
   2. The chaplain develops and implements a plan of care to promote patient well-being and continuity of care. The priest-chaplain provides sacramental services to Catholic patients.
   3. The chaplain enters information into the patients medical record that is relevant to the patients medical psycho-social and spiritual/religious goals of care.
   4. The chaplain collaborates with the organizations interdisciplinary care team and the pastoral care team.
   5. The chaplain adheres to the Common Code of Ethics which guides decision making and professional behavior. Adheres to the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services and the Code of Canon Law.
   6. The chaplain respects the confidentiality of information from all sources including the patient medical record other team members and family members in accordance with federal and state laws regulations and rules.
   7. The chaplain models and collaborates with the organization and its interdisciplinary team in respecting and providing culturally competent patient-centered care.
   8. The chaplain contributes to orderly functioning of the department by attending to administrative issues and standards of behavior.
2. Chaplaincy Care for Staff and Organization
   1. The chaplain provides timely and sensitive chaplaincy care to the organizations staff via individual and group interactions.
   2. The chaplain provides chaplaincy care to the organization in ways consonant with the organizations values and mission statement. The priest-chaplain presides at Daily Mass. The priest-chaplain conducts other Catholic prayer rituals as needed or requested.
   3. The chaplain provides leadership in the professional practice setting and the profession. The priest-chaplain provides counsel on Church teaching to patients family and staff.
3. Maintaining Competent Chaplaincy Care
   1. The chaplain seeks and creates opportunities to enhance the quality of chaplaincy care practice.
   2. The chaplain practices evidence-based care including ongoing evaluation of new practices and when appropriate contributes to or conducts research.
   3. The chaplain assumes responsibility for continued professional development demonstrates a working and current knowledge of current theory and practice and integrates such information into practice.
4. Other duties as Assigned
   1. Performs other duties as assigned or requested.

Experience Education Training Special Skills and Licensure :

• Five years experience as ordained clergy pastoral counseling experience

Master of Divinity or equivalent degree

Fluent in English. Knowledge and skill in dealing with spiritual dynamics of illness loss and death. Ability to function as a member of an interdisciplinary team. Strong interpersonal skills. Commitment to professional growth and development ecumenical openness to working in a pluralistic setting. Computer proficiency.

Ordained Roman Catholic priest eligible to receive endorsement by local Ordinary.