Job Description
The Chaplain reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.
The Chaplain offers spiritual guidance and pastoral care to patients, families, and hospital staff/medical staff. As representatives of spiritual and/or religious traditions, chaplains use insights and principles of psychology religion, spirituality, and theology.
Responsibilities:
- Delivers a ministry of spiritual care, counseling, consultation, worship, prayer, sacraments, and spiritual/ emotional support services to patients, families, and hospital personnel/medical staff for the optimal holistic care of patients.
- Identifies and clarifies ethical dilemmas. Findings will be shared with the Ethics Committee Chairs to determine whether an ethics consult is necessary per site policy/procedure.
- Participates in and provides appropriate leadership in interdisciplinary clinical team activities related to planning and coordinating patient care, including care conferences, team meetings, nursing rounds, palliative care rounds, IDT meetings, and family conferences when appropriate.
- Provides end-of-life support, and bereavement support as needed.
- Provides education to patients and hospital personnel/medical staff on Advanced Directives including Power of Attorney for Healthcare and Goals of Care conversations.
- Develops and leads spiritual care services within the hospital in collaboration with other members of the Spiritual Care Department.
- Serves as spiritual liaisons between the hospital and community (both religious and secular) with referrals and information with patient/family permission that is compliant with HIPAA regulations.
- Escalates any concerns or issues following the NM chain of command policies.
- Offers religious services to hospital personnel/medical staff as appropriate and when requested.
- Accepts on-call for spiritual care coverage, crises, and emergencies as assigned including nights, weekends, and holidays. Managers may assign required minimum on-call shifts.
- Assists in leading CALM/Mindful Moments as assigned or as needed.
- Attends to cultural and spiritual dynamics that may improve patient treatment and family dynamics.
- Maintains chapel/sacred spaces and workspaces in a neat fashion while keeping supplies available and stocked.
- Maintains board certification and/or minimum annual CEU requirements as set by certifying bodies and organization/industry standards.
- Performs other duties as assigned by the Manager of Spiritual Care.
AA/EOE.
Qualifications
Required:
- Master’s degree in theology, religion, pastoral care, spiritual care, or divinity from an accredited institution or equivalent combination of education and experience
- At least one (1) unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) or in process of completing one (1) unit of CPE within 90 days of the hire date.
Preferred:
- Ordination and/or in good standing within one’s faith tradition or certifying organization Four (4) Units of CPE, Board Certification
Additional Information
Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.
Background Check
Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.
Artificial Intelligence Disclosure
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.
Sign-on Bonus Eligibility: Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.
