Clinical Ethicist

Bioethics.net; Indianapolis, Lafayette (IN, IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Restaurant d'entreprise

Indemnités de stage/alternance

Job summary

Franciscan Health is seeking a Clinical Ethicist to advance ethical integrity across Indianapolis and Lafayette campuses. You will provide expert clinical ethics consultations, lead ethics education, and collaborate with leadership to implement ERDs in daily care decisions.

The role requires advanced degrees in ethics/theology and substantial experience in healthcare ethics, with a focus on teaching and leadership within Catholic healthcare systems.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Healthcare Ethics, Theology or Related Field is required.
• Doctorate in Theology or Ethics preferred.
• Doctoral level study or advanced graduate coursework in Ethics, Theology, Bioethics or Philosophy required or strongly recommended.
• Healthcare Ethics Consultant-Certified (HEC-C) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical ethics consultations for care teams, physicians, patients, and families across designated region.
• Lead and deliver ethics education, orientation, and training programs related to clinical ethics and ERDs.
• Collaborate with Mission, Pastoral Care, clinical leaders, and operational leaders to strengthen Catholic identity and ethical culture.
• Monitor ethics consultation services, quality metrics, and program outcomes in collaboration with ethics leadership.
• Participate in policy development, risk management, and interdisciplinary workgroups to integrate ethical analysis into decisions.

Skills

Ethics consultation

Clinical ethics education

Catholic healthcare ethics

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 INDIANAPOLIS AND LAFAYETTE 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