Clinical Ethicist

Bioethics.net; Crown Point, Michigan City (IN, IN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Franciscan Health in Indiana is seeking a Clinical Ethicist to advance ethical integrity through expert clinical ethics consultation, education, and regional leadership across designated campuses. You will serve as the primary ethics resource for patients, families, caregivers, physicians, and leadership, guiding decisions in line with ERDs.

Responsibilities include conducting ethics rounds, bedside consultations, and developing ethics education programs.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Healthcare Ethics, Theology or related field required.
• Doctorate in Theology or Ethics preferred.
• At least 3 years of professional experience in healthcare, pastoral care, ethics, or related field.
• 3 years clinical or organizational ethics experience with bedside consultation preferred.
• Experience in Catholic or faith-based healthcare system preferred.
• Doctoral study or advanced coursework in Ethics, Theology, Bioethics or Philosophy required.
• HEC-C certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical ethics consultation to care teams, physicians, patients, and families.
• Educate and train staff on ethics and ERDs.
• Lead ethics initiatives and ensure alignment with ERDs across facilities.
• Participate in ethics rounds and debriefings after challenging cases.
• Collaborate with Mission, Pastoral Care, and leadership to promote Catholic identity.
• Monitor ethics service metrics and program outcomes.

Education

Master's Degree in Healthcare Ethics, Theology or Related Field

Doctorate Theology or Ethics

Doctoral level study or advanced graduate coursework in Ethics, Theology, Bioethics or Philosophy

Healthcare Ethics Consultant-Certified (HEC-C)

Job description

POSITION WILL SUPPORT BOTH CROWN POINT AND MICHIGAN CITY CAMPUSES

The Clinical Ethicist advances the mission and ethical integrity of Franciscan Health through expert clinical ethics consultation, education, and leadership across a designated region of healthcare settings. Serving as the primary ethics resource for patients, families, caregivers, physicians, and leadership, this position promotes ethically sound decision-making consistent with Catholic moral tradition and the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services (ERDs). The Clinical Ethicist serves as the primary ethics resource within assigned facilities, supporting the implementation of clinical ethics services, initiatives, and standards in collaboration with local leaders and ethics leadership.

WHO WE ARE

Franciscan Health is a leading healthcare organization dedicated to providing exceptional patient care and promoting health and wellness in our community. Our mission is to ensure that every patient receives the highest quality of care through innovation, compassion, and excellence. With 11 ministries and access points across Indiana, Franciscan Health is one of the largest Catholic health care systems in the Midwest. Franciscan Health takes pride in hiring coworkers who provide compassionate, comprehensive care for our patients and the communities we serve.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

Schedule: Monday – Friday | Day Shift | On-Call Requirement

Demonstrated understanding and ability to apply, as well as competently teach, the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services.

Rounds regularly across assigned hospitals and care settings to identify ethical concerns, support decision-making, and facilitate ethical debriefings following challenging clinical situations.

Provides clinical ethics consultation for care teams, physicians, patients, and families within designated region, facilitating ethical analysis, collaboration, consensus-building, and resolution of complex clinical situations.

Serves as the primary ethics resource responsible for implementation of clinical ethics services, initiatives, and performance expectations across assigned facilities, ensuring alignment with system standards and strategic priorities.

Participates in the monitoring and continuous improvement of ethics consultation services, quality metrics, and program outcomes in collaboration with ethics leadership and departmental operations.

Supports the development and delivery of ethics education, orientation, and training programs related to clinical ethics, ethical decision-making, Catholic healthcare ethics, and the Ethical and Religious Directives (ERDs).

Collaborates with Mission, Pastoral Care, clinical leaders, and operational leaders to strengthen Catholic identity and promote an organizational culture of ethical practice.

Provides ethical consultation and guidance related to policies, procedures, and clinical practices to ensure alignment with Catholic moral teaching and organizational values.

Serves on and advises operational, clinical, and interdisciplinary workgroups to integrate ethical analysis into organizational decision-making processes.

Identifies emerging ethical issues, trends, and opportunities within assigned regions; collaborates with appropriate partners such as Risk Management, Legal, Human Resources, Quality, Compliance, Mission, and Clinical Leadership when concerns overlap disciplinary boundaries; and communicates findings to ethics leadership to support strategy, policy development, and quality improvement.

Partners with local ethics committees to strengthen ethical culture, support consultation and education activities, provide regular communication regarding ethics initiatives, and maintain meaningful relationships with committee members and local stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS

Master's Degree in Healthcare Ethics, Theology or Related Field – Required
Doctorate Theology or Ethics – Preferred
3 years professional experience in healthcare, pastoral care, clinical practice, ethics, education or related field – Required
3 years clinical or organizational ethics experience in a healthcare setting including bedside consultation – Preferred
Experience in working in a Catholic or faith-based healthcare system – Preferred
Doctoral level study or advanced graduate coursework in Ethics, Theology, Bioethics or Philosophy – Required
Healthcare Ethics Consultant-Certified (HEC-C) – Preferred