Chaplain

Alameda Health System; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Alameda Health System in Oakland, CA seeks a Chaplain to provide religious, spiritual, and emotional support to patients, families, and staff across the hospital. The role includes conducting religious activities, interfaith outreach, and coordinating spiritual care with care teams.

The candidate should be board-certified or eligible, with theological education for ordination and appropriate denominational accreditation. Experience in clinical pastoral training or equivalent is preferred.

Qualifications

• The chaplain is expected to provide religious and spiritual support, counseling, and interfaith collaboration.
• Must have completed theological studies for ordination and be ordained or eligible for accreditation.
• Clinical pastoral training or equivalent experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide liaison between patients, families, and hospital staff during spiritual crises.
• Assess and counsel patients and staff on moral, spiritual, and personal concerns.
• Collaborate with hospital care teams and community organizations on spiritual needs.
• Document chaplain visits and rites performed; prepare activity reports.

Education

Theological studies for ordination (accredited theological school)

Ordination or accreditation by Catholic Church / Rabbinical Board / Protestant denomination

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.

• Acts as a liaison between patient, family, and hospital staff during times of spiritual crisis, e.g. illness, dying, lengthy or difficult surgery.
• 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.
• Collaborates with members of the hospital care team in identifying and addressing spiritual issues.
• Collaborates with other hospital programs and community agencies with which patients/families are involved.
• 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.”
• Consults with and keeps Department Leader informed of activities, needs and problems related to patients, families, hospital staff and volunteers.
• Consults with hospital staff regarding hospital ministry.
• 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.
• 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.
• Participates on special projects as directed/requested, including representing the hospital at interfaith meetings, community events etc. as requested.
• Performs the duties of Chaplain in other religious matters. Maintains a supply of religious literature; prepares chaplain activity reports.
• 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.