Imam Chaplain

NYC Health + Hospitals; New York (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Elmhurst Hospital Center in New York is seeking a chaplain to deliver spiritual care to patients, families, and staff. You will schedule and lead religious services and document care activities in the Chaplaincy/Spiritual Care Department.

The role requires a Bachelor’s in Divinity or related field, four CPE units, and certified chaplain credentials from APC/BCCI, NACC, NAJC, or equivalent. A strong emphasis on empathy and ethical guidance is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Divinity, Islamic Studies, Sacred Theology, or related discipline.
• Completion of four (4) Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) units (1,600 hours).
• Current and valid chaplain certification from APC/BCCI, NACC, NAJC, or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Visit patients to assess spiritual/religious background and needs.
• Respond to requests for chaplaincy care from patients, families, and staff.
• Provide spiritual guidance and support, including during trauma or death.

Skills

Empathy

Active listening

Spiritual care planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Divinity, Islamic Studies, Sacred Theology, or related discipline

CPE clinical training (1,600 hours)

Chaplain certification (APC/NACC/NAJC or equivalent)

Job description

Elmhurst Hospital Center (EHC) is the major tertiary care provider in the borough of Queens. The hospital is comprised of 545 beds and is a Level I Trauma Center, an Emergency Heart Care Station and a 911 Receiving Hospital. It is the premiere health care organization for key areas such as Surgery, Cardiology, Women's Health, Pediatrics, Rehabilitation Medicine, Renal and Mental Health Services.

Elmhurst Hospital Center (EHC) is the major tertiary care provider in the borough of Queens. The hospital is comprised of 545 beds and is a Level I Trauma Center, an Emergency Heart Care Station and a 911 Receiving Hospital. It is the premiere health care organization for key areas such as Surgery, Cardiology, Women's Health, Pediatrics, Rehabilitation Medicine, Renal and Mental Health Services. At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high quality care health services, without exception. Every employee takes a person-centered approach that exemplifies the ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) through empathic communication and partnerships between all persons.

Duties & Responsibilities

Purpose of Position: Under direction, arranges and delivers appropriate chaplaincy care to patients, families, and staff, including scheduling and leading spiritual/religious services and providing spiritual and moral care, guidance, and support consistent with individuals’ beliefs and values.

Examples Of Typical Tasks

• Visits and interviews patients to ascertain their spiritual/religious background, evaluate their spiritual/religious needs, and advise of the specialized resources of the Chaplaincy/Spiritual Care Department.
• Responds to patient, family, and staff requests for chaplaincy care in a timely manner.
• Comforts, counsels, and advises individuals, families, and staff experiencing personal, moral, and spiritual problems, including, but not limited to, those associated with trauma and/or death.
• Appropriately documents all chaplaincy care activities in a timely manner.
• Assists patients, families, and staff in meeting their spiritual/religious needs by leading and/or arranging ritual and worship opportunities and support groups.
• Organizes and conducts spiritual/religious educational programs.
• Provides guidance to volunteers and interns in the Chaplaincy/Spiritual Care Department.
• Maintains liaison and cooperative relationships with community organizations.
• May coordinate special departmental programs, such as holiday gift giving to ill patients, food/clothing drives, and other spiritual/religious gatherings for the staff and community members.
• Performs related work.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Divinity, Islamic Studies, Sacred Theology, or a related discipline, and a documented letter of endorsement from within the last six (6) months from a faith-based institution affiliated with the appropriate denomination (see note below), and
• Documented completion of four (4) Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) units (i.e., 1,600 hours of clinical pastoral training), or current and valid chaplain certification issued by the Association for Professional Chaplains (APC) Board of Chaplaincy Certification Inc. (BCCI), the National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC), Neshama: National Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC), or an equivalent; or
• One (1) year of community-based experience as a recognized spiritual/religious leader.

Note: A documented letter of endorsement may be substituted by an academic degree or chaplain certification endorsed within the last six (6) months by a faith-based institution affiliated with the appropriate denomination. The documented letter of endorsement or its substitute must be dated within six (6) months prior to the date of hire.