Campus Pastor

Presbyterian Homes & Services - Prairie Gate in Council Bluffs, Iowa, is seeking a part-time Campus Pastor to support our community.  The Campus Pastor is responsible for providing spiritual guidance, counsel and comfort to the residents and staff. Sound inter-personal relationships, which are built on Christian values and principles, form the basis of practice and service.

Reporting Structure: The Campus Pastor reports to the Campus Administrator.

ABOUT THIS COMMUNITY

The sprawling, multi-wing Prairie Gate complex is built on 17.5 acres.

Prairie Gate offers a full continuum of care for up to 150 residents. It includes 36 independent living apartments, 24 assisted living apartments, 18 memory care apartments and 72 skilled nursing suites.

At the heart of the community is the two-story 21,000 square foot Town Center offering an array of amenities and services, including community gathering spaces, restaurant-style dining, a bistro, salon, library, club room, business office, guest suite, chapel and wellness center with aerobics studio. Outdoor pathways, prairie plantings, gardens and a courtyard are just outside the doors in a beautiful patio setting.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Assist in maintaining an environment that achieves high quality care and service for residents (physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual) and maintain their independence and dignity to the highest degree possible. Establish and maintain effective communication systems with all customers.
• Implement, organize and coordinate the Spiritual Care (Worship, Sacraments, Prayer, Bible Studies, and PHS’ Programs) program to enhance the care and services for residents. In accordance with resident requests and desires, provide for Sunday worship and chapel services throughout the week. Plan, arrange/conduct special events for Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, Lent and Advent and other special holiday services. Schedule and arrange services for all major resident denominations using outside clergy as needed. Serve or arrange for the serving of communion. Conduct small Bible studies on a weekly basis. Visit and pray with residents on an individual basis. Document visits. Maintain accurate records and reports on all resident programming and visits. Provide specialized services to the dementia care program residents. Implement PHS’ spiritual care programs Blessing of the Hands, Procession of Honor and others. Support Hospice programs and staff as appropriate.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with outside agencies and organizations Promote Presbyterian Homes and its ministry at assorted church functions. Participate with the various community constituencies to achieve mutually beneficial results. Coordinate spiritual services collaboratively with Pastoral Care Director and other professionals inside and outside PHS. Participate in local and conference ministeriums as directed
• Visit residents on a regular basis on campus and in the hospital as needed. Participate in care conferences and family conferences as required. Communicate and document appropriate resident information in resident file, maintaining confidentiality. Conduct funeral and memorial services when requested. Provide pastoral counseling, personal support and guidance to residents and families experiencing life changes, including death of a resident. Provide emergency pastoral care as needed.
• Provide bereavement follow-up of families for a one-year period after the death of a resident as appropriate or needed. Document visits/interactions. Conduct regular memorial services for residents who have passed away. Provide referral services for families and staff. Maintain an ongoing process of support for the staff as needed during times of crisis or following significant deaths. Collaborate with Learning and Development staff to identify and deliver on-going staff and volunteer education regarding care-giving, grieving, the role of faith in health care, spirituality and aging, etc. Act as a liaison between resident/family and “home” church and/or act as the pastor for those residents without a church, regardless of denomination.
• Implement established spiritual care services and policies, procedures and practices. Use quality management process to meet resident needs. Ensure compliance with regulations and established best practices. Apply the knowledge and skills needed for the position, including technical competence in the field and current knowledge of laws and regulations affecting your position. Maintain current knowledge of community resources available for residents. Use discretion and independent judgment to compare and evaluate possible courses of action and

• Education Bachelor’s degree and a Master's degree from an accredited theological seminary preferred.
• Experience:  three years of experience in a church setting or other pastoral care/chaplaincy ministry preferred. One unit of clinical pastoral education (CPE) is preferred.
• Demonstrate the ability to make independent decisions.
• Ability to tactfully deal with residents, family members, staff, visitors, outside public, and church organizations.
• Demonstrate  good moral character.
• Plan, organize, develop, and implement goals and objectives necessary for delivering pastoral care program.
• Ecclesiastical endorsement by a recognized religious denomination.
• Agreement with the mission statement, vision and values of Presbyterian Homes & Services, espousing an evangelistic pastoral commitment.
• Demonstrated ability to read, write, speak and understand the English language to communicate with all customers.