Chaplain Resident (ACPE)

UnityPoint Health; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

UnityPoint Health - Des Moines offers a full-time ACPE Chaplain Residency beginning January 4, 2027. The program prepares spiritual care providers for a world where certainty is no longer required for meaningful ministry within a Level I Trauma Center.

Residents join an ACPE-accredited Clinical Pastoral Education program, receive intensive supervision, and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams. The residency supports leadership development, reflective practice, and pathways toward

Qualifications

• Master's degree completed or substantially completed before residency start date.
• One ACPE CPE unit completed.

Responsibilities

• Provide spiritual care to patients, families, and staff.
• Participate fully in an ACPE residency curriculum.
• Complete written and clinical learning assignments.
• Serve as part of the on-call chaplain rotation.
• Document care in the electronic medical record.
• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, social workers, and other healthcare professionals.
• Engage in reflective practice, peer learning, and professional development.

Education

Master's degree completed or substantially completed

ACPE Clinical Pastoral Education unit

Job description

January 4, 2027 - August 27, 2027/December 31, 2027

Annual Stipend: $44,000

UnityPoint Health - Des Moines is seeking applicants for a full-time ACPE Chaplain Residency beginning January 4, 2027. Our residency prepares spiritual care providers for a world where certainty is no longer required for meaningful ministry. Residents provide spiritual care within a Level I Trauma Center while participating in a clinically rigorous and relationally grounded ACPE-accredited Clinical Pastoral Education program. We welcome applicants from a variety of faith traditions, spiritual backgrounds, and vocational pathways who are committed to self-reflection, professional growth, and compassionate care.

About the Program

UnityPoint Health - Des Moines is a multi-hospital healthcare system serving central Iowa. Residents participate as members of interdisciplinary healthcare teams and provide spiritual care to patients, families, and staff experiencing illness, crisis, grief, trauma, and life transition.

The residency includes:

• Two ACPE Certified Educators, and One Educator Candidate
• Intensive individual and group supervision
• Interdisciplinary collaboration
• On-call clinical experience
• Opportunities for leadership development
• Exposure to diverse religious, spiritual, and cultural perspectives
• Preparation for professional chaplaincy and board certification pathways

What You'll Do

Residents will:

• Provide spiritual care to patients, families, and staff
• Participate fully in an ACPE residency curriculum
• Complete written and clinical learning assignments
• Serve as part of the on-call chaplain rotation
• Document care in the electronic medical record
• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, social workers, and other healthcare professionals
• Engage in reflective practice, peer learning, and professional development

Qualifications

Applicants must have:

• One successfully completed unit of ACPE Clinical Pastoral Education
• A master's degree completed or substantially completed before the residency start date
• Endorsement or eligibility for endorsement by a recognized religious, spiritual, or faith community
• Demonstrated interest in professional chaplaincy and spiritual care