Relief Chaplain

LE0010 Stanford Health Care; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 52,100 - 67,709; Full time

Job summary

Stanford Health Care - ValleyCare is seeking a Chaplain to provide comprehensive spiritual care to patients, families, and staff. The role emphasizes collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, leading community services, and developing Spiritual Care initiatives.

The ideal candidate holds a Master’s Degree in theology and has at least one year of experience in healthcare. Candidates are also expected to complete multiple Clinical Pastoral Education units, possess strong communication skills, and be able to work effectively under pressure.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in theology or related field required.
• One year of work experience in a health care setting.
• Ability to consult, mentor, and develop interfaith spiritual care programs.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct spiritual care to patients, families, and staff.
• Consult with the interdisciplinary team to collaborate in patient care.
• Maintain records of departmental activities.

Skills

Exceptional communication

Teaching

Counseling

Organizational abilities

Collaborative work

Bilingual (English and Spanish)

Education

Master’s Degree in theology, divinity, or religious studies

Completion of Four Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) units

Job description

Overview

Under the supervision of the Manager of Spiritual Care Services, the primary responsibility of a Chaplain is to provide spiritual care to patients, families, visitors, and staff. The Chaplain is involved in all aspects of care, including but not limited to team meetings, family meetings, and goals of care discussions. Staff support is provided through 1:1 encounters and group gatherings in the units and other locations as needed. The Chaplain also leads hospital‑wide and community faith‑specific and interfaith services and performs other duties assigned by the Director or Manager of Spiritual Care Services.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct spiritual care to patients, families, and staff.
• Adhere to triage duties and responsibilities when needed (refer to Triage Guidelines).
• Act as advocate in articulating patients’ and families’ spiritual needs.
• Consult with the interdisciplinary team and collaborate in patient care.
• Sserve as liaison between Spiritual Care and other Stanford Health Care departments.
• Increase visibility and enhance quality of Spiritual Care within the hospital community.
• Assist in developing, coordinating, and evaluating Spiritual Care initiatives for staff.
• Share in planning and leadership of services.
• Provide weddings, memorial services, and baptisms for patients and staff in accordance with their beliefs.
• Participate in special services offered through Spiritual Care in collaboration with the Manager, team members, and hospital staff.
• Develop services and resources appropriate for holy days of various religious traditions.
• Chart visits accurately and timely in the medical record.
• Maintain daily records of departmental activities using the data gathering tool.
• Participate in triage rotations and be available on short notice for emergencies and overnight coverage.
• Facilitate and coordinate Code Blue and non‑Code critical incident stress debriefings.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned by the Manager of Spiritual Care Services.

Community Relations

• Maintain and develop positive relationships with significant individuals and groups (religious leaders, faith communities, inter‑faith groups, other hospitals, graduate schools of religion).
• Coordinate and present educational events for Stanford Health Care.

Precepting

• Develop and teach workshops and seminars for Clinical Pastoral Care Education (CPE) Chaplain students.
• Assist in developing a curricular track for inclusion in the overall CPE curriculum.
• Participate in joint visits with Chaplain students to assess their performance and provide critique.
• Orient CPE students to units and facilitate their clinical involvement.
• Mentor CPE students and support staff Chaplains in providing spiritual care.
• Assist in recruitment, interviewing, and selection of CPE students.

Administrative Duties

• Attend team meetings and retreats.
• Serve on selected hospital committees as appointed by the Manager.
• Serve on campus, religious, or other community committees as appointed.
• Attend religious/faith group meetings and serve on national Spiritual Care organization committees as needed.
• Assist with other administrative duties assigned by the Manager.
• Serve on ethical case consultations and act as consultant to students and staff on ethical considerations.
• Assist in interpretation and evaluation of ethical questions and moral situations in care delivery.
• Assist in research and development of policies and procedures to ensure culturally and religiously sensitive care.
• Adhere to current organizational Performance Improvement priorities.
• Participate in quality studies through data collection and analysis.
• Make recommendations and take actions to improve Spiritual Care Services structures, systems, and outcomes.

Education & Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in theology, divinity, or religious studies (required).
• Graduation from an approved seminary or school of theology (required).
• One (1) year of directly related work experience in a health care setting.
• Completion of Four (4) Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) units (required).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of medical practice, ethical issues, hospital procedures, and developmental needs across all age groups.
• Adherence to SHC and Common Codes of Ethics, privacy/confidentiality (PHI), and safety/infection control standards.
• Demonstrated on the Level 1 and 2 CPE outcomes and board certification competencies.
• Exceptional communication, teaching, and counseling skills.
• Ability to consult, mentor, and develop inter‑faith/inter‑belief spiritual care programs.
• Strong leadership in designing and delivering spiritual/religious services.
• Collaborative and diplomatic work with hospital staff, interdisciplinary teams, and community religious leaders.
• Effective performance in high‑pressure and crisis situations.
• Organizational, interpersonal, and problem‑solving abilities.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Bilingual ability with English and Spanish.

Licenses and Certifications

• Association of Professional Chaplains (APC) preferred.
• National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC) preferred.
• Neshama: The Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC) preferred.
• Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC) preferred.
• National Association of Veterans Affairs Chaplains (NAVAC) preferred.
• Ordination or commissioning by one's faith group and endorsement to serve as a Chaplain preferred.

Physical Demands and Work Conditions

• Occasional walking and standing.
• Blood Borne Pathogens Category III tasks (no exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues), Category I tasks not a condition of employment.

Commitment to Patient & Family Experience

Stanford Health Care commits to delivering value and an exceptional experience for patients and families by adopting C‑I‑CARE standards that guide patient‑centered interactions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Stanford Health Care strongly values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity and non‑discrimination. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, or other protected characteristics.

Compensation

Base Pay Scale: generally starting at $37.82 - $49.15 per hour. Salary will be determined by internal equity, experience, education, and other factors.