Hospital Chaplain - 1099

Lutheran Health Network; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Chaplain at Lutheran Health Network provides emotional, spiritual, and pastoral support to patients, families, and hospital staff during illness, crisis, or transition. As part of the interdisciplinary care team, the Chaplain tailors spiritual care to individual needs and maintains inclusivity across faith traditions.

They participate in rounds, offer crisis counseling, and assist with advance care planning while supporting employee well-being and collaborating with clinical teams to ensure

Qualifications

• Master of Divinity or equivalent graduate degree from an accredited theological institution required.
• Minimum of one (1) year of residency preferred.
• 0-1 years of experience providing spiritual care in healthcare, hospice, or crisis setting required.

Responsibilities

• Provides spiritual and emotional support to patients, families, and staff during illness, crisis, or end-of-life situations.
• Participates in interdisciplinary rounds and collaborates with the care team to support holistic patient needs.
• Offers crisis intervention and spiritual counseling to patients, visitors, and staff.
• Facilitates rituals, prayers, blessings, or sacraments as requested by patients or families.
• Assists with advance care planning conversations in collaboration with clinical teams.
• Maintains relationships with local faith communities and clergy for community visits or services.
• Documents spiritual care encounters in the EMR according to policy.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Active listening

Interpersonal skills

Cultural competence

Communication

Education

Master of Divinity (or equivalent)

Residency preferred

Tools

EMR/EHR systems

Job description

Job Summary

The Chaplain provides emotional, spiritual, and pastoral support to patients, families, and hospital staff during times of illness, crisis, or transition. As a member of the interdisciplinary care team, the Chaplain facilitates spiritual care services tailored to individual needs and preferences, regardless of faith tradition or belief system. This role also serves as a resource for employee wellness and supports a culture of compassion and holistic care throughout the organization.

Essential Functions

• Provides spiritual and emotional support to patients and families facing illness, grief, end-of-life care, and crisis situations.
• Participates in interdisciplinary rounds and collaborates with the care team to support the holistic needs of patients.
• Offers crisis intervention and spiritual counseling to patients, visitors, and staff during times of trauma, loss, or significant stress.
• Provides spiritual care in a respectful and inclusive manner, honoring cultural and religious diversity.
• Facilitates rituals, prayer, blessings, or sacraments as requested by patients or families.
• Assists with advance care planning conversations, end-of-life discussions, and bereavement support in collaboration with clinical teams.
• Supports employee well-being through spiritual debriefings, routine staff rounding, and availability for one-on-one conversations.
• Maintains relationships with local faith communities and clergy, coordinating community visits or spiritual services when appropriate.
• Documents spiritual care encounters in the electronic medical record according to policy.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
• Complies with all policies and standards.

Qualifications

• Master of Divinity or equivalent graduate degree from an accredited theological institution required
• Minimum of one (1) year of residency preferred
• 0-1 years of experience providing spiritual care in a healthcare, hospice, or crisis setting required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of spiritual and emotional needs related to illness, trauma, loss, and end-of-life care.
• Ability to provide respectful, compassionate care across diverse faiths, cultures, and belief systems.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to work collaboratively with patients, families, staff, and community clergy.
• Crisis intervention and active listening skills.
• Familiarity with electronic documentation and confidentiality standards.
• Understanding of ethical principles related to patient rights, dignity, and spiritual autonomy.

Licenses and Certifications

• BCC - Board Certified Chaplain through a recognized chaplaincy organization (e.g., APC, NACC, NAJC) required
• Completion of at least four (4) units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) preferred