Chaplain

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center seeks a Chaplain to provide spiritual and emotional support to patients, families and staff in assigned clinical areas. The chaplain collaborates with the care team to address diverse faith traditions and personal beliefs, offering crisis response and pastoral care aligned with departmental programs.

Responsibilities include assessing needs, documenting care in the medical record, educating staff about spiritual care, mentoring chaplain residents

Qualifications

• Must be certified or certification eligible with major chaplain associations.
• If not certified at hire, certification expected within 3 years.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide emotional and spiritual support to patients, families and staff.
• Assess spiritual needs and document in the medical record.
• Offer interventions and crisis support for patients, families and staff.
• Educate staff about spiritual/pastoral care and department services.
• Mentor chaplain residents and chaplain interns; support CPE program.
• Participate in education of staff, patients and CPE students; contribute to committees.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Conflict resolution

Patient relations

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree in theology or equivalent

4 units of CPE

Endorsement by faith group

Certification eligibility (AP chaplains associations)

Job description

Scope of Position

The Chaplain is responsible for providing optimal emotional and spiritual support to patients, families and staff in assigned clinical areas, and for providing spiritual care services and programs developed by the Department in his/her areas of responsibility. The Chaplain assesses patient and families’ spiritual, religious and emotional needs, offers interventions and services to address or meet those needs, and documents these in the medical record. The Chaplain provides crisis support/response for patients, families and staff. The Chaplain is the spiritual care specialist on the health care team, working collaboratively with providers, care team members, and chaplain colleagues, to provide optimal spiritual care to patients, families and staff of a variety of faith traditions. The Chaplain provides emotional and spiritual support/services for staff, particularly in times of distress, grief/bereavement, or crisis. The Chaplain is responsible for educating staff about spiritual/pastoral care and the department’s services. The Chaplain mentors chaplain residents and chaplain interns, and supports and contributes to the CPE Program through teaching in their areas of expertise.

Position Summary

The Chaplain is responsible for the provision of spiritual/pastoral care services to patients, families and staff, and implements Department programs which provide support for clinical staff. The Chaplain provides spiritual support to persons of all faiths appropriate to their requests and needs. The Chaplain functions as a collaborative team member both within the Chaplaincy Department as well as within the health care team. The Chaplain participates in the operational procedures and program/service development of the Chaplaincy Department, and contributes to the mission of the medical center by involvement in committees relevant to their clinical/spiritual care. The Chaplain participates in education of staff, patients and CPE students, and contributes to the formation and dissemination of knowledge in the chaplaincy discipline.

Minimum Qualifications

Must be certified or certification eligible with the Association of Professional Chaplains, the National Association of Catholic Chaplains, or the National Association of Jewish Chaplains.* If not certified at the time of hire, completion of certification is expected within 3 years of hire date, unless a later time line is discussed and approved by the Director.

*This certification requires a completed Bachelors’ degree, a Master’s level theological degree or equivalent, four units of accredited Clinical Pastoral Education, a current endorsement for chaplaincy by a recognized religious/spiritual faith group, and appearance before a national certifying commission of the organization for assessment of competency.

Excellent verbal and written communication, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills; ability to relate and work effectively with a wide variety of patients, families and staff.

Career Roadmap

FUNCTION: Social and Behavioral Health

SUBFUNCTION: Pastoral Care

CAREER BAND: Individual Contributor - Clinical

CAREER LEVEL: C2

Thank you for your interest in working at Ohio State.

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.

The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.