Associate Chaplain

Sanford Health•Sioux Falls, SD

About The Position

Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America’s heartland. The Associate Chaplain aims to offer a sense of attentiveness and compassion in the midst of suffering and struggle. This role provides spiritual and emotional support during illness, injury, crisis and/or emergency, performs spiritual care, and demonstrates pastoral care skills. The Associate Chaplain assesses patients’/residents’ spiritual resources and well-being and encourages the patient/resident and/or family member to utilize their own spiritual and religious coping strategies. The position requires empathy for challenges experienced by patients/residents and families in the medical setting and comfort with diverse populations of varying ages, cultures and beliefs. The Associate Chaplain establishes and maintains effective working relationships, serving as a member of the interdisciplinary team, collaborating with others to develop and provide spiritual support to clients and families. The role functions effectively in trauma and crisis situations and follows the Association of Professional Chaplains Code of Professional Ethics. Responsibilities include effectively documenting spiritual care visits in the electronic health record, addressing spiritual care referrals and consults in a timely manner, and following departmental policies and procedures. The Associate Chaplain demonstrates critical thinking skills under adverse situations to respond appropriately to patients/residents and families, understands their limits, and seeks appropriate guidance and assistance when needed to ensure adequate care delivery. Communication with chaplain colleagues about patient/resident care needs is essential, as is attendance and participation in department meetings and gatherings. Depending on location, may be required to serve on call as assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
One unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) in an accredited CPE center required.
Ordained, licensed, or commissioned to function in a religious vocation by an appropriate religious authority required and obtains letter of endorsement or letter of good standing from their faith group.
Associate Chaplains hired on or after January 1, 2014, acceptable qualifications included one of the following: Completion of, or in the process of obtaining a bachelor's degree.
Associate Chaplains hired on or after January 1, 2014, acceptable qualifications included: Completion of advanced degree in divinity, theology, or its equivalency.
Associate Chaplains hired on or after January 1, 2014, acceptable qualifications included: Ecclesiastical endorsement.
Associate Chaplains hired on or after January 1, 2014, acceptable qualifications included: Minimum of one unit of clinical pastoral education.
Associate Chaplains hired on or after January 1, 2014, acceptable qualifications included: Eligibility for certification in the Association of Professional Chaplains, Catholic Chaplains, or comparable professional organization.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or above preferred.
Two units of CPE preferred.
Will consider two years equivalent experience as a Chaplain, preferably in a medical or healthcare setting dependent on facility needs and size.

Responsibilities

Provides spiritual and emotional support during illness, injury, crisis and/or emergency.
Performs spiritual care.
Demonstrates pastoral care skills.
Assesses patients’/residents’ spiritual resources and well-being and encourage the patient/resident and/or family member to utilize his or her own spiritual and religious coping strategies.
Establishes and maintains effective working relationships, serving as a member of the interdisciplinary team, collaborating with other members to develop and provide spiritual support to client and families.
Functions effectively in trauma and crisis situations.
Follows the Association of Professional Chaplains Code of Professional Ethics.
Effectively documents spiritual care visits in the electronic health record.
Addresses the spiritual care referrals and consults in a timely manner.
Follows departmental policies and procedures.
Demonstrates critical thinking skills under adverse situations in order to respond appropriately to patients/residents and families.
Understands one's limits and seeks appropriate guidance and assistance when needed to ensure delivery of adequate care.
Communicates appropriately and thoroughly with chaplain colleagues about patient/resident care needs.
Attends and participates in department meetings and gatherings.
May be required to serve on call as assigned.