Clinical Ethicist (1.0 D - MC)

Franciscan Alliance•Michigan City, IN

About The Position

The Clinical Ethicist advances Franciscan Health’s mission and ethical integrity through clinical ethics consultation, education, and leadership across a designated region of healthcare settings. The position serves as the primary ethics resource for patients, families, caregivers, physicians, and leadership, promoting ethically sound decision-making consistent with Catholic moral tradition and the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services (ERDs). Within assigned facilities, the Clinical Ethicist supports the implementation of clinical ethics services, initiatives, and standards in collaboration with local leaders and ethics leadership. The role provides consultation and guidance on complex clinical situations, policies, procedures, and clinical practices; supports ethics education and training; collaborates with Mission, Pastoral Care, and clinical and operational leaders; and works with local ethics committees. The position also contributes to monitoring and improving ethics consultation services, quality metrics, and program outcomes. The schedule is Monday through Friday on day shift, with an on-call requirement. Travel of up to 20% is required.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Healthcare Ethics, Theology, or a related field.
Three years of professional experience in healthcare, pastoral care, clinical practice, ethics, education, or a related field.
Doctoral-level study or advanced graduate coursework in Ethics, Theology, Bioethics, or Philosophy.
Ability to apply and teach the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services.

Nice To Haves

Doctorate in Theology or Ethics.
Three years of clinical or organizational ethics experience in a healthcare setting, including bedside consultation.
Experience working in a Catholic or faith-based healthcare system.
Healthcare Ethics Consultant-Certified (HEC-C) credential.

Responsibilities

Apply and competently teach the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services.
Round regularly across assigned hospitals and care settings to identify ethical concerns, support decision-making, and facilitate ethical debriefings after challenging clinical situations.
Provide clinical ethics consultation to care teams, physicians, patients, and families, facilitating ethical analysis, collaboration, consensus-building, and resolution of complex situations.
Lead implementation of clinical ethics services, initiatives, and performance expectations across assigned facilities in alignment with system standards and strategic priorities.
Participate in monitoring and continuously improving ethics consultation services, quality metrics, and program outcomes with ethics leadership and departmental operations.
Support development and delivery of education, orientation, and training related to clinical ethics, ethical decision-making, Catholic healthcare ethics, and the ERDs.
Collaborate with Mission, Pastoral Care, clinical leaders, and operational leaders to strengthen Catholic identity and promote an organizational culture of ethical practice.
Provide ethical consultation and guidance on policies, procedures, and clinical practices to ensure alignment with Catholic moral teaching and organizational values.
Serve on and advise operational, clinical, and interdisciplinary workgroups, integrating ethical analysis into organizational decision-making.
Identify emerging ethical issues, trends, and opportunities; collaborate with relevant partners on cross-disciplinary concerns; and communicate findings to ethics leadership to support strategy, policy development, and quality improvement.
Partner with local ethics committees to strengthen ethical culture, support consultation and education activities, communicate ethics initiatives, and maintain relationships with committee members and local stakeholders.