GENERAL SUMMARY:

Responsible for assessing and attending to the spiritual needs of patients, their families, employees and volunteers particularly in times of spiritual distress brought on by life threatening or life altering medical diagnoses, procedures and events. The Chaplain's ministry reflects appropriate age specific and cognitive understanding of the developmental level of the person, serving the patient and family by employing short-term counseling methods similar to those of "crisis counseling." Serves the patient and family by assisting in resolution of bioethical concerns, and may be asked to provide a religious perspective on initiating or withdrawing life support systems or organ donation.

PRINCIPAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. *Commits to the mission, vision, beliefs and consistently demonstrates our core values.

2. *Makes routine rounds on assigned patient care areas assessing the spiritual needs of patients and families who may be experiencing spiritual distress or crisis or who have identified high-risk spiritual care indicators; offers spiritual advice and counsel consistent with the spiritual and religious backgrounds of the patient and family.

3. *Responds to Code Blue and Code Trauma pages per facility procedures.

4. Participates in weekly multi-disciplinary team meetings.

5. *Conducts assigned patient/family therapeutic/educational groups.

6. *Facilitates communication and acts as a liaison between hospital staff and family or friends of patients during periods of crisis, such as death, critical illness or lengthy surgery; provides emotional and spiritual support to staff, patients and their families.

7. *Provides counseling in matters associated with spirituality including meaning and purpose in life, healing, forgiveness and reconciliation; performs or makes arrangements for traditional pastoral services, such as prayer, sacramental ministry or other special services; provides ecumenical services as needed to promote spiritual wellbeing.

8. Offers prayer support at hospital-sponsored events.

9. *Serves as a Notary, assisting patients in completing Advance Healthcare Directives and other paperwork related to the patient's medical care.

10. *Maintains documentation of pastoral care functions in patient medical records.

11. Represents the Department on appropriate committees as assigned by the Pastoral Care Supervisor or Director.

12. *Participates in the Chaplain's on-call schedule as needed.

13. May participate as a member of the hospital ethics committee in absence of Pastoral Care Supervisor; uses relevant methodologies to assist physicians and staff in arriving at consensus over ethical matters associated with patient care.

14. Facilitates communication with local religious leaders to ensure cooperation and understanding between Bryan Medical Center and the local church community.

15. Provides support to staff through daily rounds and participates in crisis de-briefing sessions with staff after crisis/high stress situations as requested by leadership.

16. Maintains board certification.

17. Maintains professional growth and development through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations to keep abreast of latest trends in field of expertise.

18. Participates in meetings, committees and department projects as assigned.

19. Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Knowledge of theological and psychological practices and methods.

2. Knowledge of varied religious practices and spiritual philosophies, to relate effectively with a wide variety of individuals with various education, social, cultural, economic and vocational backgrounds.

3. Knowledge of computer hardware equipment and software applications relevant to work functions.

4. Ability to adapt to a flexible work schedule in order to meet the demanding job requirements.

5. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

6. Ability to perform crucial conversations with desired outcomes.

7. Ability to collaborate as a team member with other chaplains, physicians, medical staff, employees, patients and professional colleagues.

8. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment related to changing patient needs including working with patients with acute, chronic and complex disease processes and those who are dying.

9. Ability to problem solve and engage independent critical thinking skills.

10. Ability to maintain confidentiality relevant to sensitive information.

11. Ability to prioritize work demands and work with minimal supervision.

12. Ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance.

ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

In addition to the principal job functions contained on the primary job descriptions, the following duties are also required in the department noted above.

1. Conducts weekly spirituality, forgiveness and grief groups requested for the Partial Care program.

2. Conducts spirituality groups weekly as requested on Affective Disorders and in the Child and Adolescent Psych Unit.

3. Rounds on Senior Mental Health unit twice weekly or more frequently as needed to provide appropriate pastoral support. May run spirituality groups during rounding time.

4. Consults with Mental Health staff regarding client issues/needs; attends interdisciplinary treatment team meetings in Affective Disorders, Adult Psychiatric and Child and Adolescent Units on a regular basis.

5. Provides weekly ecumenical service for clients of at the Independence Center.

6. Performs or makes arrangements for traditional pastoral services, such as prayer, sacramental ministry or other special services; provides ecumenical services as needed to promote spiritual wellbeing.

7. Facilitates 2&3rd step group for clients at the Independence Center.

8. Supports and Assist clients in their Step Work at the Independence Center

9. Meets with clients individually as requested to counsel clients regarding issues such as grief, trauma, loss, and assists in developing their concept and understanding of spirituality (i.e. meaning and purpose in life, forgiveness, and reconciliation).

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Board Certification with a Pastoral Care Cognate Group recognized by the Coalition on Ministry in Specialized Settings (COMISS) or actively working toward certification is required. A minimum of 2 units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is required with 4 units of CPE preferred. Master's Degree required: a Master's degree in Theology or Spiritual Counseling from a Seminary is preferred. Ecclesiastical endorsement and ordination is preferred.

OTHER CREDENTIALS / CERTIFICATIONS:

None

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

(Physical Requirements are based on federal criteria and assigned by Human Resources upon review of the Principal Job Functions.)

(DOT) - Characterized as sedentary work requiring exertion up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.