Reports to the Summit Center Manager. Provides Spiritual Care services to patients, families and staff in times of stress, crisis, trauma, or illness. Assures religious support appropriate to the individual's own belief or faith system as needed. May act as a liaison between the patient and his/her faith community. Plans, monitors and evaluates the activities of personnel engaged in providing spiritual care services. Oversees education programs for and serves as a liaison with local religious communities. Builds interdisciplinary understanding of spiritual care and negotiates for optimal function of spiritual care staff within the hospital. Seeks to ensure that staff demonstrate the Beacon values of trust, respect, integrity, compassion and patient centered. Also, coordinates the Creative Therapies staff as well as providing support and assistance as needed.

MISSION, VALUES and SERVICE GOALS

• MISSION: We deliver outstanding care, inspire health, and connect with heart.
• VALUES: Trust. Respect. Integrity. Compassion.
• SERVICE GOALS: Personally connect. Keep everyone informed. Be on their team.

Plans, monitors, and evaluates the activities of personnel engaged in providing spiritual care by:

• Working with the department to develop short- and long-term goals and objectives and ensuring productivity and financial goals are met.
• Developing and implementing policies and procedures necessary to accomplish department goals.
• Working with other department personnel to interview, hire, orient, and assign Spiritual Care and Creative Therapies staff.
• Assigning and scheduling staff and volunteers to achieve most complete service coverage for Elkhart General Hospital.
• Mentoring staff to ensure effective supportive services to patients, families, and staff.
• Promoting effective communication among supportive services staff.
• Working with manager to develop quality improvement plans.

Communicates and promotes the Spiritual Care program by:

• Serving as a liaison between Hospital and local community.
• Responding to a variety of calls requesting information regarding spiritual care issues.
• Providing and maintaining record keeping systems to monitor spiritual care and creative therapy services.
• Preparing periodic reports concerning Supportive Services.
• Participating in hospital activities and committees and ensuring Spiritual Care representation on the Hospital Ethics committee.
• Promoting the visibility and availability of spiritual care.
• Conducting training programs for chaplains, seminarians and religious volunteers involved in spiritual care.
• Making presentations on behalf of the Hospital to congregations and civic organizations to explain the work of the Hospital and the role of Spiritual Care Department in the Hospital.

Performs essential functions of and maintains skills as a chaplain by:

• Providing religious/spiritual counseling and guidance to patients, family members and staff as part of total patient care.
• Providing or arranging for sacramental ministry in time of crisis and in offering religious service to patients confined in the hospital.
• Visiting and interviewing patients according to an agreed prioritization system to assure spiritual care for as many patients as possible, coordinating with other spiritual care staff toward the same end.
• Optimizing interdisciplinary cooperation to ensure continuity of patient care.

Performs other functions to maintain personal competence and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the department by:

• Completing other job-related assignments and special projects as directed.

ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Associate complies with the following organizational requirements:

• Attends and participates in department meetings and is accountable for all information shared.
• Completes mandatory education, annual competencies and department specific education within established timeframes.
• Completes annual employee health requirements within established timeframes.
• Maintains license/certification, registration in good standing throughout fiscal year.
• Direct patient care providers are required to maintain current BCLS (CPR), and other certifications as required by position/department.
• Consistently utilizes appropriate universal precautions, protective equipment, and ergonomic techniques to protect patient and self.
• Adheres to regulatory agency requirements, survey process and compliance.
• Complies with established organization and department policies.
• Available to work overtime in addition to working additional or other shifts and schedules when required.

Commitment to Beacon's six-point Operating System, referred to as The Beacon Way:

• Leverage innovation everywhere.
• Cultivate human talent.
• Embrace performance improvement.
• Build greatness through accountability.
• Use information to improve and advance.
• Communicate clearly and continuously.

Education and Experience

• The knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated below are normally acquired through the successful completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college and a Master of Divinity Degree from an accredited seminary. Three years of spiritual/pastoral care experience required. The following items are preferred but not required:
  • Professional certification by the Association of Professional Chaplains, the National Catholic Chaplains or the National Association of Jewish Chaplains.
  • Prior leadership experience preferred.

Knowledge & Skills

• Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the role of Spiritual Care in a hospital setting.
• Demonstrates high level interpersonal skills necessary to deal effectively with patients, families, and staff members in stressful situations.
• Demonstrates well-developed communication skills, both oral and written, needed to effectively counsel patients, families, and staff and other professionals concerning spiritual needs and document as appropriate.
• Demonstrates understanding and skills of ministry with diverse faith groups.

Working Conditions

• Works in an office and patient care environment with occasional changes in job demands and possible exposure patients/families under stress.
• May be exposed to biohazards.

Physical Demands

• Requires the physical ability and stamina to perform the essential functions of the position.