Manager - Chaplain

Sacred Heart Health Services; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO available day 1 for eligible hires

Up to 5% employer retirement match

Career development and mentorship

Job summary

Avera Sacred Heart Hospital is seeking a Regional Manager of Spiritual Health to lead the transition to a standardized chaplaincy model across the region. You will oversee Catholic chapels, sacristies, scheduling, and training extraordinary ministers, while arranging devotions in nursing homes.

The role includes budgeting, delivering chaplaincy education, and coordinating with local clergy to support patients, staff and families in line with ERD and hospital mission.

Qualifications

• Clinical Pastoral Education completed (4 units).
• License/endorsement with ecclesiastical standing.
• 1-3 years pastoral experience in a healthcare setting.
• Demonstrated good standing in church/denomination.

Responsibilities

• Establishes and implements annual goals and objectives aligned with mission.
• Develops and manages the department budget within guidelines.
• Provides chaplaincy support, counseling, and education to staff and volunteers.
• Maintains chaplaincy program including recruitment and training.
• Provides pastoral care to patients and families; participates in on-call rotation.
• Develops relationships with clergy and community groups.
• Leads recruitment, training, performance reviews and coaching.

Skills

Communication skills

Team leadership

Strategic planning

Education

Clinical Pastoral Education (4 Units)

Drivers License - Licensing Board

1-3 years pastoral experience in healthcare

Ecclesiastical endorsement

Job description

Location: Avera Sacred Heart Hospital Worker Type: Regular Work Shift: Primarily days with night, weekend and holiday on-call involvement (United States of America)

Position Highlights Serves as the Regional Manager of Spiritual Health for the Avera Sacred Heart Region: The manager will provide leadership for the continued transition to a Spiritual Health model of chaplaincy across the region, including the formation, standardization, and operational changes necessary to strengthen services. The manager also is responsible for the Catholic chapels and sacristies, scheduling priests for Catholic Masses and Sacramental Rites, recruiting and training Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and arranging devotions, such as the rosary in nursing homes.

A Brief Overview

Accountable for providing spiritual and emotional support to patients, residents, their families, and Avera colleagues in accordance with the chaplaincy department's policies and procedures. Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination and evaluation of the chaplaincy department. Provides exceptional care and service to patients, residents, guests and fellow employees at all times. The chaplaincy department supports the hospital's goal of excellence in patient care by facilitating positive employee relations and supporting department goals in accord with Avera's mission. Performs all duties and responsibilities in such a way as to demonstrate and supports Avera's values of hospitality, compassion and stewardship. Provides care/service in accordance with regulatory and accrediting agencies standards and the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services.

What you will do

Establishes and implements annual goals and objectives in accordance with Avera’s mission, vision, values and strategies. Develops, monitors and manages the department's budget within Avera’s guidelines. Provides chaplaincy support, counseling and education to Avera’s employees, medical staff and volunteers. Participates and contributes in leadership meetings, actively serves on committees as assigned, and participates in projects and shares information as appropriate. Maintains chaplaincy program including recruitment, training, continuing education and support. Provides pastoral care to patients, residents, and families and participates in on-call rotation. Develops, nurtures and maintains relationship with local and regional clergy, community and religious groups. Facilitates crisis debriefings for Avera colleagues. Understands and complies with the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services and is available to assist and advise staff physicians and nurses in their appreciation and application of these Directives. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, developing, training, and retaining employees; planning, assigning, and leading work; appraising performance; rewarding and coaching employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Essential Qualifications

The individual must be able to work the hours specified. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily including having visual acuity adequate to perform position duties and the ability to communicate effectively with others, hear, understand and distinguish speech and other sounds. These requirements and those listed above are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions, as long as the accommodations do not cause undue hardship to the employer.

Required Education, License/Certification, or Work Experience

Clinical Pastoral Education - 4 Units - Association of Pastoral Education Drivers License - Licensing Board 1-3 years pastoral experience in a healthcare institution Good standing in the church, denomination and/or religious order through ecclesiastical endorsement.

Preferred Education, License/Certification, or Work Experience

Bachelor's in Theology, Religious Studies or related field; and/or combined education and relevant experience. Association of Professional Chaplains (Board Certified Chaplain) - Board of Chaplaincy Certification Inc.

Expectations and Standards

Commitment to the daily application of Avera’s mission, vision, core values, and social principles to serve patients, their families, and our community. Promote Avera’s values of compassion, hospitality, and stewardship. Uphold Avera’s standards of Communication, Attitude, Responsiveness, and Engagement (CARE) with enthusiasm and sincerity. Maintain confidentiality. Work effectively in a team environment, coordinating work flow with other team members and ensuring a productive and efficient environment. Comply with safety principles, laws, regulations, and standards associated with, but not limited to, CMS, The Joint Commission, DHHS, and OSHA if applicable.

Benefits You Need & Then Some

• PTO available day 1 for eligible hires.
• Up to 5% employer matching contribution for retirement
• Career development guided by hands‑on training and mentorship

Avera is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, Veteran Status, or other categories protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation for help with your online application, please call 1-605-504-4444 or send an email to [e-mail].

At Avera, the way you are treated as an employee translates into the compassionate care you deliver to patients and team members. Because we consider health care a ministry, you can live out your faith, uphold the dignity and respect of all persons while not compromising high‑quality services. Join us in making a positive impact on moving health forward.