Spiritual Care Director

Ascension; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

403(b) employer match

Paid time off and holidays

Tuition reimbursement (Ascension/Voc‑A

Employee assistance program

Parental leave

Transportation savings

Job summary

Ascension is seeking a senior leader in Spiritual Care to build and oversee a cohesive framework that honors diverse backgrounds for patients, families, and staff. You will lead and mentor chaplains and volunteers across multiple sites, fostering professional growth and a supportive culture.

You will partner with clinical teams to integrate emotional and spiritual care into bedside care, ethics consultations and patient healing journeys, advising leadership to enhance staff resilience and

Qualifications

• Master's degree required in theology/spirituality/divinity or related field.
• 3 years of applicable cumulative experience; 2 years in leadership/management; 5 years preferred.

Responsibilities

• Build a cohesive spiritual care framework ensuring inclusive support for patients, families, and staff.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team of chaplains and volunteers across multiple sites.
• Partner with clinical teams to integrate emotional and spiritual care into bedside care and ethics consultations.
• Advise clinical leadership and promote staff resilience and patient well-being.

Skills

Leadership experience

Mentorship

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Communication

Education

Master's degree in Theology/Spirituality/Divinity

Job description

• Build a cohesive spiritual care framework to ensure every patient, family, and staff member receives inclusive support honoring diverse backgrounds and traditions.
• Lead and cultivate a high-performing team of chaplains and volunteers across multiple sites, fostering a supportive culture through mentorship, continuing education and professional development.
• Champion interdisciplinary care by partnering with clinical teams to integrate emotional and spiritual support into bedside care, ethics consultations and patient healing journeys.
• Advocate for ethical and holistic healing by aligning care delivery with professional standards, advising clinical leadership and finding innovative ways to build staff resilience and patient well-being.

Your future role at a glance

• Location: Nashville, TN
• Facility: Ascension St. Thomas Health
• Department: Spiritual Care
• Schedule: Days | Full-time
• Eligible for an annual bonus incentive

How you’ll make an impact in this role

• Build a cohesive spiritual care framework to ensure every patient, family, and staff member receives inclusive support honoring diverse backgrounds and traditions.
• Lead and cultivate a high-performing team of chaplains and volunteers across multiple sites, fostering a supportive culture through mentorship, continuing education and professional development.
• Champion interdisciplinary care by partnering with clinical teams to integrate emotional and spiritual support into bedside care, ethics consultations and patient healing journeys.
• Advocate for ethical and holistic healing by aligning care delivery with professional standards, advising clinical leadership and finding innovative ways to build staff resilience and patient well-being.

What Minimum Requirements You’ll Need

Licensure / Certification / Registration

• Required Credential(s):
  • None Required.
• Preferred Credential(s):
  • Chaplain specializing in Cert of Endorsement . Licensure required relevant to state in which work is performed
  • Chaplain. Licensure required relevant to state in which work is performed

Education

• Master's degree required. Master's degree in Theology, Spirituality, Social Work, Divinity, Philosophy, Servant Leadership, Human Behavior, Pastoral Studies, or a related field preferred. Chaplain is preferred.

Work Experience

• 3 years of applicable cumulative job-specific experience required with 2 of those years being in leadership/management. 5 years of experience preferred.

Additional Preferences

• Strong understanding of the Catholic faith, liturgical season and sacramental care.
• Demonstrated multi-site leadership experience directing spiritual care programs, team development and clinical integrations across complex healthcare systems.
• Proven track record leading strategic growth within high-velocity, competitive healthcare markets, combining strong relationship-building abilities with fast-paced execution.

Benefits that help you thrive

• Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage and HSA/FSA options
• Financial security & retirement: employer-matched 403(b), planning and hardship resources, disability and life insurance
• Time to recharge: pro-rated paid time off (PTO) and holidays
• Career growth: Ascension-paid tuition (Vocare), reimbursement, ongoing professional development and online learning
• Emotional well-being: Employee Assistance Program, counseling and peer support, spiritual care and stress management resources
• Family support: parental leave, adoption assistance and family benefits
• Other benefits: optional legal and pet insurance, transportation savings and more

Life at Ascension: Where purpose meets opportunity

Ascension is a leading nonprofit Catholic health system with a culture and associate experience grounded in service, growth, care and connection. We empower our 99,000+ associates to bring their skills and expertise every day to reimagining healthcare, together. Recognized as one of the Best 150+ Places to Work in Healthcare and a Military-Friendly Gold Employer, you'll find an inclusive and supportive environment where your contributions truly matter.

Equal employment opportunity employer

Ascension provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, lactation, breastfeeding, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, all as defined by applicable law, and any other legally protected status or characteristic in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. For further information, view the EEO Know Your Rights (English) poster or EEO Know Your Rights (Spanish) poster.

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