Chaplain - Full Time - Day

Overview: How have you impacted someone’s life today? At Hackensack Meridian Health our healthcare teams are focused on changing the lives of our patients by providing the highest level of care each and every day. From our hospitals, rehab centers and occupational health teams to our long-term care centers and at-home care capabilities, our complete spectrum of services will allow you to apply your skills in multiple settings while building your career all within New Jersey’s premier healthcare system.
Responsible for providing emotional and spiritual support in pastoral care to patients, their families and hospital staff. Responsibilities: The Chaplain provides compassionate pastoral ministry to all patients, their family, loved ones, and team
members. The Chaplain supports patients and their families in times of crisis, anxiety, or sorrow in grief
and suffering. The Chaplain facilitates communication with caregivers outside the healthcare team;
serves as a subject matter expert in pastoral care matters and collaborates with community clergy to
provide ongoing spiritual support. The Chaplain maintains a working knowledge of customs and practices
from a diversity of world religions and faith practices and works to assure that patients and family
members are respected in their individual beliefs, customs, traditions and practices.

• Due to the nature of this position, candidates should live within apprx. 30 minutes of the Hospital's location.

1. Supports spiritual and emotional needs based on initial and ongoing spiritual assessments and
document actions taken and plan of care in the patient's medical record.
2. Develops patient spiritual care plans and collaborates with the care team by notating in the patient¿s
chart. Conducts in-services for medical team members on issues relating to assessing and meeting
spiritual care needs.
3. Acts as a liaison between family and clinical team during crisis by supporting and comforting family
members.
4. Provides intensive and extensive pastoral care and spiritual counseling to patients, families and team
members during and after critical events.
5. Collaborates with Palliative Care Team and attends palliative care team meetings to provide optimal
care and support during each phase of the patient's end of life process.
6. Conducts patient rounds to assess and support spiritual needs of patients and collaborates with the
care team on patient care planning.
7. Visits patients and families who request pastoral care services.
8. Participates in family conferences to support the patient, family, physicians and team members.
9. Coordinates the use of local clergy and ministers from various faiths and denominations when
appropriate.
10. Provides the theological framework to assure spiritual care can be delivered through the coordinated
efforts of the volunteer clergy network.
11. Collaborates with volunteer service leaders on screening and training pastoral care volunteers.
12. Participates in committee meetings to offer expertise, guidance and education in pastoral care matters concerning religion, culture and theology.
13. Leads team in emotional reflection prior to interdisciplinary team meetings.
14. Provides liturgical/sacramental ministry of prayer, communion, emergency baptisms, memorial
services, hospital celebrations, ceremonies and services.
15. Coordinates and leads didactics or educational training relating to pastoral care.
16. Make full use of ones own religion heritage, theological understanding, and knowledge of the
behavioral sciences in pastoral ministry to persons and groups.
17. Follows the highest standards of ethical conduct as outlined by the Association of Clinical Pastoral
Educators.
18. Maintains medical records, reports and data as necessary for regulatory reporting and continuous
quality improvement.
19. May be required to work weekends or as needed and carry a beeper or similar communication device.
20. Identifies the needs of the patient population served and modifies and delivers care that is specific to
those needs (i.e., age, culture, language, hearing and/or visually impaired, etc.). This process includes
communicating with the patient, spouse, parent, and/or primary caregiver(s) at their level
(developmental/age, educational, literacy, etc.).
21. Adheres to the standards identified in the Medical Center's Organizational Competencies. Qualifications: Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required: 1. Successfully completed two units of Clinical Pastoral Education from a nationally recognized and
accredited organization.
2. Bachelor degree or equivalent in pastoral studies/theology/religious studies or related to
congregational or institutional Ministry or Pastoral Ministry certification program or proof of enrollment
while matriculating in an accredited program leading to a Bachelor¿s degree or equivalent certification.
3. Three years previous experience in pastoral ministry as Lead Pastor or Assisting Minister. 4. Two years of experience working in a clinical environment with patients and families facing life-
threatening injury or illness. 5. Endorsement of pastoral leader of one¿s religious denomination.
6. Professional development or continuing education credits in the field of pastoral ministry, counseling or
community issues.
7. Computer knowledge for purposes of documentation, continuing education and public presentation.
Preferred: 1. Graduate degree or matriculating in a graduate degree program from an accredited seminary or school
of theology with M.Div. or Masters of Theology.
2. Board Certification as a Clinical Chaplain from a nationally recognized and accredited organization.
3. Experience and formal education in pastoral counseling.
If you feel that the above description speaks directly to your strengths and capabilities, then please apply today!