Chaplain

Alameda Health Sytem; Oakland (CA); Hybrid; USD 56,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Alameda Health System seeks a Chaplain to provide religious, spiritual, and emotional support to patients, families and staff across the hospital. The role plans, conducts, and coordinates religious activities and participates in interdisciplinary rounds and ethics discussions.

The chaplain will act as liaison during spiritual crises, offer confidential counseling, and collaborate with care teams and community organizations.

Qualifications

• Board certified Chaplain through appropriate professional organization, or certification-eligible.
• Completion of theological studies for ordination from an accredited theological school, and equivalent to graduation from college with a minimum of 12 semester units in counseling, psychology or related field.
• Ordination or accreditation by the Roman Catholic Church, a recognized California Rabbinical Board, or a nationality recognized Protestant or other religious denomination.

Responsibilities

• Acts as a liaison between patient, family, and hospital staff during spiritual crises.
• Assesses and counsels employees, patients, and family members on moral, spiritual, domestic, and personal problems.
• Collaborates with members of the hospital care team in identifying and addressing spiritual issues.
• Completes medical chart documentation for all patient and family visits; notes rites performed by outside clergy.
• Participates on special projects and represents the hospital at interfaith meetings and community events.

Job description

SUMMARY: Under direction, the Chaplain provides religious, spiritual and emotional support to patients, their loved ones, and staff; also plans, conducts and coordinates religious activities hospital wide. Performs related duties as required.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification, however, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual in the classification.

• 1. Acts as a liaison between patient, family, and hospital staff during times of spiritual crisis, e.g. illness, dying, lengthy or difficult surgery.
• 2. Assesses and counsels employees, patients, and family members on moral, spiritual, domestic, and personal problems. Meets with patients and employees upon request, for private spiritual counseling.
• 3. Collaborates with members of the hospital care team in identifying and addressing spiritual issues.
• 4. Collaborates with other hospital programs and community agencies with which patients/families are involved.
• 5. Completes medical chart documentation for all patient and family visits; notes specific religious rites performed by outside clergy such as “the anointing of the sick.”
• 6. Consults with and keeps Department Leader informed of activities, needs and problems related to patients, families, hospital staff and volunteers.
• 7. Consults with hospital staff regarding hospital ministry.
• 8. Evaluates patient needs for spiritual guidance and counseling and initiates or recommends individual programs and services to meet those needs and refers patient/family to community spiritual support as needed. Provides monthly statistics of activities to Department Leader.
• 9. Is a member of the Bioethics Committee and other committees as deemed appropriate. Participates actively in daily interdisciplinary rounding in medical/surgical units; rounds regularly in ICU (either as part of team or independently). Participates in family conferences.
• 10. Participates on special projects as directed/requested, including representing the hospital at interfaith meetings, community events etc. as requested.
• 11. Performs the duties of Chaplain in other religious matters. Maintains a supply of religious literature; prepares chaplain activity reports.
• 12. Provides liaison work between AHS facilities and social organizations as appropriate; may speak before such organizations concerning the work and purpose of AHS.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Board certified Chaplain through appropriate professional organization, or certification-eligible.

Education

Completion of theological studies for ordination from an accredited theological school and equivalent to graduation from college with a minimum of 12 semester units in counseling, psychology or a related field; AND Ordination or accreditation by the Roman Catholic Church, a recognized California Rabbinical Board, or a nationality recognized Protestant or other religious denomination.

Minimum Experience

Completion of one or a combination of the following: 1). Twelve months or four quarters of an approved full-time resident clinical pastoral training program; 2). The equivalent of one year of in-service training in case work, counseling and guidance, or experience on the clinical staff or classification committee in a facility such as a mental hospital, or guidance clinic.

Preferred experience

One year experience as a chaplain.

Preferred Licenses/Certification

4 CPE units preferred, Good standing in your faith tradition as evidenced by ecclesiastical endorsement.

Preferred Licenses/Certification

Membership in a National Professional Chaplain Organization.

Pay Range $40.30 - $49.18
The pay range for this position reflects the base pay scale for the role at Alameda Health System. Final compensation will be determined based on several factors, including but not limited to a candidate’s experience, education, skills, licensure and certifications, departmental equity, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and the operational needs of the organization. Alameda Health System also offers eligible positions a generous comprehensive benefits program.