Job Description
Position Summary The South Arkansas Regional Hospital (SARH) Staff Chaplain offers spiritual care services to patients and families using theological and clinical training to help patients and families cope more effectively. The Staff Chaplain creates an assessment of the patient's spiritual practices/values and accommodates and integrates these values into the patient's medical plan of care. The Staff Chaplain communicates the patient's spiritual needs to the patient's interdisciplinary health care team as appropriate. The Staff Chaplain supports the patient/family as they integrate implications of the suggested medical treatment plan in the framework of their spiritual beliefs and as they work through difficult issues/challenges that may arise during hospitalization. The Staff Chaplain also consults with and provides guidance to other Clergy to appropriately support the interdisciplinary health care team. The Staff Chaplain provides regular, full-time support within SARH and is responsible for providing patient/family-centered care.
Qualifications/Experience Education: Master of Divinity degree or Master's level theological degree from a school accredited by a member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) •Four units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) in a hospital setting or
completion of a 1-year CPE Residency Program in a hospital setting.
Experience: One (1) year hospital work experience post-CPE or two (2) years of other relevant spiritual or ministry experience Preferred Two (2) years of work experience post-CPE in a minimum of a Level 3 Trauma Center or acute care hospital setting.
Other Skills: Demonstrated spiritual care experience in a health care setting, the ability to listen with an attentive and demonstrated non-judgmental presence. Broad interfaith theological knowledge base and familiarity with the diversity of religious experience across cultures. Willingness and ability to work within an interdisciplinary team. The ability to understand complex medical situations and the role of the professional chaplain as a part of the health care team.
Other Expectations :The Staff Chaplain promotes and assists with the Advance Medical Directives processes, covers on-call activities as needed and directed, participates on SARH committees as appointed and other duties as assigned.
Licenses/Certificate: Eligible for Board Certification by a recognized national body (APC, NAJC, etc.) within 2 years of start date •Board Certified Chaplain in good standing with a recognized national body (APC, NAJC, etc.) within 3 years of start date Preferred •Board Certified Chaplain in good standing with a recognized national body
Essential Job Functions To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the following Essential Duties satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties of the position, provided it does not create undue hardship on SARH.
- Observe professional ethics in maintaining confidential information acquired regarding person, financial, medical or employment of patients, families, and employees of SARH.
- Must follow and enforce accepted safety practices for patients and SARH.
- Must report hazards and initiate appropriate action.
- Must participate in safety instructional programs.
Chaplain Care The Staff Chaplain addresses patient and family distress. The Staff Chaplain assists patients and their families in times of crisis, bereavement, and when facing important end of life questions and decisions. The Staff Chaplain explores with their patients and families the implications of their structures of belief and meaning in illness and crisis situations, always centering the value of respect for the goals, desires, and choices of each person. Following an established spiritual care assessment tool, the staff chaplain will craft and implement a plan of care to provide encouragement and support during illness, empowering patients to embrace their spiritual/religious strengths and inner resources for healing. Based on this plan of care, the Staff Chaplain will provide consultation and guidance to Associate Chaplains where applicable.
Provision of Plan of Care The Staff Chaplain sees patients who are formally consulted, who are thrust into potentially life ending or -limiting medical situations (Code Blue, ED Trauma, etc.), who may be referred as a part of the interdisciplinary team, at the patient's/family's request, or as follow-up at their discretion. The Staff Chaplain gathers and evaluates relevant data pertinent to the patient's situation and/or bio-psycho-social-spiritual/religious health. Collaboration and consultation with fellow Chaplains are fundamental aspects of the Staff Chaplain's duties as the Spiritual Care team collaborates in the provision of the patient's plan of care. Documentation: The Staff Chaplain documents information in the electronic health record that is relevant to the patient's medical, psycho-social, and spiritual/religious goals. The documentation recognizes regulatory guidelines regarding confidentiality while providing the interdisciplinary team with information about relevant spiritual needs/concerns as well as emotional and relational dynamics that impact the patient's care and disposition.
Teamwork and Collaboration The Staff Chaplain provides guidance and consultation to Spiritual Care Department colleagues that cover areas of the hospital for which the Staff Chaplain is responsible. The Staff Chaplain communicates with the interdisciplinary health care team and obtains pertinent information regarding the patient's condition, family dynamics, and the health care teams' understanding of the need for spiritual care. As a part of the interdisciplinary team, the Staff Chaplain is alert for referral opportunities, demonstrates knowledge of the services represented on the team, and educates the team on spiritual care issues. The Staff Chaplain supports the team members in their work and advocates for the spiritual and emotional needs of their patients and families.
Ethical Practice and Confidentiality The Staff Chaplain models clear boundaries for sexual, spiritual/religious, financial, and cultural issues. They chart what is appropriate for the care being provided.
Respect for Diversity The Staff Chaplain models and collaborates with the organization and interdisciplinary teams in respecting and providing culturally competent patient-centered care.
Care for the Organization Patient and family care is the primary focus of spiritual care services. The Staff Chaplain provides services to the organization consistent with the organization's values, mission, and vision. The Staff Chaplain serves as a model and an expert, engaging in activities that improve operational performance.
Job Tags
Full time, Work experience placement,