Overview:

This position will support both M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital and Southdale Hospitals, covering off-site call overnights and weekend days.

The Chaplain incorporates the spiritual and emotional dimensions of human development into one’s practice of care and reflects a working knowledge of different ethics theories appropriate to one’s professional context.   

Additionally, the Chaplain is the spiritual care specialist of the care team responsible for assessing spiritual care needs and providing direct spiritual care and consultation to patients, families and staff.  Within the Spiritual Health Services (SHS) department, the Chaplain serves as a preceptor and mentor to students (e.g., Clinical Pastoral Education residents and interns), along with SHS volunteers, who are authorized to provide ministry on behalf of Fairview.  The Chaplain works with other members of the interdisciplinary team to identify and respond to spiritual and emotional needs and is attuned to notice the relational dynamics and ethical principles at play in the clinical and professional setting. 

Responsibilities/Job Description:

Job Expectations:  

Be self-reflective, including identifying one’s professional strengths and limitations in the provision of care. 

Use one’s own professional authority as a spiritual care provider through direct spiritual care for patients and families based on assessment of spiritual needs in clinical assignment and during assigned on-call shifts. 

Advocate for patients and families. 

Triage and manage crises in the practice of spiritual care. 

Develop, coordinate, and facilitate public worship/spiritual practices appropriate to diverse settings and needs. 

Facilitate group processes, such as family meetings, post trauma, staff debriefing, and support groups. 

Promote the integration of spiritual care into the life and service of the institution in which one functions. 

Promote, facilitate, and support ethical decision making. 

Foster a collaborative relationship with community clergy and faith group leaders. 

Demonstrates ability to provide care or service adjusting approaches to reflect developmental level and cultural differences of population served, including spiritual/religious informed care or service. 

Exercises skillful listening, compassionate presence & clear communication in one-on-one, small group, care conferences, and team meetings.  

Provides/arranges for provision of sacraments/ rituals/prayers and integrative modalities at the request of patients and/or family members in a manner aligning with the traditions of the particular patient, family member, or significant other. 

Orient and mentor CPE interns and residents as a preceptor during their CPE unit start up.  Provide evaluative feedback as a part of the clinical coordinator role within the educational process. 

Provide orientation and education for health care staff. 

Participate in regular meetings of the department and assigned clinical areas, including interdepartmental work. 

Provide triage/short-term support to members of the health care staff in support of their spiritual and emotional care, particularly in relationship to their care for patients and overall staff health.  Collaborate with EAP in conducting crisis debriefings and encourage staff to access EAP staff for self/family care needs. 

Knowledge of bio-medical ethics and ability to support ethical reflection and decision-making of patients, families and staff. 

Organization Expectations, as applicable:  

Demonstrates ability to provide care or service adjusting approaches to reflect developmental level and cultural differences of population served.  

Partners with patient care giver in care/decision making. 

Communicates in a respective manner. 

Ensures a safe, secure environment. 

Individualizes plan of care to meet patient needs. 

Modifies clinical interventions based on population served. 

Provides patient education based on as assessment of learning needs of patient/care giver. 

Fulfills all organizational requirements. 

Completes all required learning relevant to the role. 

Complies with and maintains knowledge of all relevant laws, regulations, policies, procedures and standards. 

Fosters a culture of improvement, efficiency and innovative thinking. 

Performs other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications:

Required 

Education  

Graduate degree in Theology from approved theological seminary/university, or completion of training in mentored religious tradition as defined by that religious tradition 

One unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) accredited by Association of Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) 

Experience 

1 year experience in a ministry setting or supportive role.