Chaplain

DCH Health System • Tuscaloosa, AL

37d • Onsite

About The Position

The Chaplain is responsible for serving the spiritual and emotional needs of patients, their families, and employees. This role involves providing pastoral care, leading worship services, and acting as a liaison between the hospital system and various religious communities. The Chaplain also performs administrative duties and adheres to ethical codes and hospital policies.

Requirements

• Requires use of telephone, paging systems and computer systems including but limited to electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.
• Bachelor's degree from a college or university.
• Master’s degree in theology that involves a minimum of 72 semester credit hours (108 quarter credits).
• Four (4) units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) to function as a competent pastoral care provider from an institution or institutions accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE), National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC) or the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC).
• Must be certified by and in good standing with a national professional pastoral care organization or have certification eligibility and obtain certification within two years of first day of employment.
• Current ordination, commissioning, or other similar standing to function in a ministry of pastoral care, granted by an appropriate religious authority according to the standard practice and policy of that authority.
• Provide documentation of current endorsement or of good standing in accordance with the applicant’s faith tradition (received or reaffirmed within last 12 months). The letter must be mailed directly to the DCH Health System Director of Pastoral Care. Faith groups must be recognized by the National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces (NCMAF) or by the Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches.
• Philosophy and Theology — Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
• English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Therapy and Counseling — Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
• Psychology — Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Responsibilities

• Provides pastoral care as the On Call Chaplain by responding to emergencies during working hours (0800 to 1630), after hours (1630 - 0800), and on weekends and holidays on a rotating basis with other chaplains.
• Maintains an active pastoral presence on all assigned areas.
• Provides or facilitates in the meeting of ritual and sacramental needs of patients of all faiths.
• Documents in the patient’s electronic medical record and keeps records of pastoral activity to communicate with other members of the department and health care team.
• Leads group activities, worship services, religious rites, and classes.
• Provides pastoral care to hospital staff.
• Acts as liaison for DCH Health System with churches and ministers.
• When assigned, functions as Acting Director in Director's absence from Medical Centers.
• Follows Department of Pastoral Care Service policies and procedures.
• Performs administrative duties as assigned by the Director.
• Must adhere to the Code of Ethics as adopted by the Association of Professional Chaplains.
• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook.
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees.
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.
• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• All other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level