Chaplain Relief

Centra Health; Lynchburg (VA); On-site; USD 20,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Centra Health is seeking a Relief Chaplain to provide on-call pastoral care for evenings, nights, and weekends. The role includes direct care to patients, families, and staff during bereavement, crisis, and trauma, with collaboration across clinical teams.

The ideal candidate will have a post-baccalaureate degree or at least one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education, plus 1–3 years of pastoral care experience. Certification or denominational endorsement is desirable.

Qualifications

• Post baccalaureate degree or CPE unit required (two of the listed options).
• 1–3 years of pastoral care experience within faith communities or community.
• Preferred education includes an accredited seminary degree.

Responsibilities

• Provide on-call pastoral care coverage for evenings, nights, and weekends.
• Offer direct pastoral care to patients, families, and Centra staff during crises.
• Collaborate with clergy, attend staff meetings, and communicate patient needs.
• Document visits and protect confidentiality of patients and families.
• Respond to crisis or trauma with timely pastoral support as scheduled.

Skills

Pastoral care

Communication

On-call availability

Crisis ministry

Education

Post-baccalaureate degree

Clinical Pastoral Education unit

Seminary degree (preferred)

Job description

Job Description

The Relief Chaplain provides on-call coverage for evenings, nights, and weekends to ensure the availability of Pastoral Care at all times. Provides direct pastoral care services to patients, their family members, and Centra staff during times of bereavement, crisis, and trauma.

Responsibilities

• Assists clergy as appropriate.
• Attends scheduled staff meetings.
• Communicates pertinent patient information to co-workers nursing staff and physicians.
• Distinguishes between urgent and routine requests for care and responds appropriately.
• Documents patient visits and objective empirical data important to the overall well being of the patient.
• Protects the confidentiality of everyone to whom pastoral care is provided.
• Provides on call as scheduled or negotiates coverage with other On Call chaplains.
• Provides Pastoral Care to patients/residents and their family members during crisis or trauma.
• Provides Pastoral Care to the dying and bereaved.
• Recommends changes in service that will enhance the care provided.
• For LGH, BMH, and CSCH responds by phone within five () minutes to pager calls and arrives at the facility within thirty () minutes for an emergency call. For Gretna, if chaplain is available responds in a timely manner.
• Responds in a positive manner to concerns and/or critique.
• Other duties that may be assigned from time to time.

Qualifications

Required Education: Meet two of the following requirements:

• A post baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution;
• A unit of Clinical Pastoral Education;
• 1-3 years of pastoral care experience within a particular faith community or the community at large.

Note: If a candidate has successfully completed a minimum of 3 units of Clinical Pastoral Education but is not ordained, commissioned, appointed, or a formally recognized leader within a faith group then this education requirement may be waived.

Preferred Education: Post Baccalaureate seminary degree from an accredited institution

Preferred Experience: Three or more years of pastoral ministry experience with familiarity in crisis ministry, care of the dying and ministry to the bereaved. Provide pastoral ministry to persons from diverse cultural, ethnic, and religious backgrounds

Required Certifications and Licensures: Demonstration of Ecclesial or Denominational endorsement or good standing within one's faith community by one of the following methods:

• Chaplain certificate, OR
• Chaplain license, OR
• Registration or a letter of good standing from a faith community

Salary Range: $18.00 / Hour