Chaplain

The primary responsibility of a Staff Chaplain is to provide spiritual care to patients, families, visitors and staff. Patients are seen at the bedside or in outpatient settings as assigned. Chaplains are involved in all aspects of care including but not limited to team meetings, family meetings and goals of discussions. Staff support is provided through 1:1 encounters and group gatherings in the units and other locations as needed. Chaplains are also charged with developing and leading hospital-wide and community faith-specific and interfaith services. A Chaplain is involved in additional duties in the department as determined by the Director. This includes but is not limited to education, departments systems, special projects, and programs. Chaplains work as team members in accordance with the Department's Mission and Vision Statements, following Department's Administrative Policies and Procedures.

Responsibilities

* Assessment: The chaplain gathers and evaluates relevant data pertinent to the situation and/or bio-psycho-social-spiritual/religious health of the patient and/or family member.
* Delivery of Care: The chaplain develops and implements a plan of care to promote the well-being and continuity of care of the patient and/or family member. This includes such work as visitation, performing religious rituals as requested and appropriate and such specific services as weddings and memorial services in accordance with departmental policies. Visitation includes sharing in the department's on-call rotation including days, nights, weekends, and holidays as scheduled; and when on-call is needed on short notice for emergencies.
* Documentation of Care: The chaplain enters information into the patient's medical record that is relevant to the patient's medical, psychosocial, and spiritual/religious goals of care. The chaplain maintains daily records of chaplaincy activities in accordance with Chaplaincy data gathering tool in use.
* Teamwork and Collaboration: The chaplain collaborates with interdisciplinary teams of care focusing on patients and family members. Teamwork includes engaging in departmental staff meetings, retreats, special committees and teamwork throughout the organization by serving on hospital committees and assisting/leading organizational events. Collaboration includes working with local clergy and religious leaders and organizations. The chaplain collaborates with the CPE Supervisor in providing training and supervision of CPE students and the chaplain collaborates with the Director in providing training and supervision for departmental volunteers. The Chaplain performs other duties as required, assigned, or negotiated.
* Ethical Practice: The chaplain adheres to the Common Code of Ethics of the Association of Professional Chaplains and the code of ethics of the MGH organization.
* Confidentiality: The chaplain respects the confidentiality of information from all sources, including the patient, medical record, other team members, and family members in accordance with federal and state laws, and the policies of the organization.
* Respect for Diversity: The chaplain models and collaborates with the organization and its interdisciplinary team in respecting and providing culturally competent patient-centered care.
* Care for Staff: The chaplain provides timely and sensitive chaplaincy care to the organization's staff via individual and group interaction.
* Care for the Organization: The chaplain provides chaplaincy care to the organization in ways consonant with the organization's values and mission. This includes the planning and implementation of faith-specific and interfaith worship services.
* Chaplain as Leader: The chaplain provides leadership in the professional practice setting and the profession. This includes providing educational events for patients, family members and/or staff on a regular basis.
* Continuous Quality Improvement: The chaplain seeks and creates opportunities to enhance the quality of the chaplaincy care practice. This includes performing other duties as required, assigned, or negotiated.
* Research: The chaplain practices evidence-based care including ongoing evaluation of new practices and, when appropriate, contributes to or conducts research.
* Knowledge and Continuing Education: The chaplain assumes responsibility for 50 hours of continued professional development per year, demonstrates a working and current knowledge of current theory and practice, and integrates such information into practice.
* Community Liaison: Develops, implements, evaluates and maintains programs that benefit patients and families in the community.
* Program development and management: Develops, implements, evaluates and maintains specific programs intended to enhance the spiritual care of specific patient population at high risk for spiritual distress
* Spiritual Care Mentor: Supports and engages in the education of CPE residents.

Professional

* Clarity of pastoral identity and role in a nonsectarian institutional setting
* Knowledgeable about ministry to persons of diverse religious and cultural backgrounds
* Excellent interpersonal skills
* Ability to work well as a member of an interdisciplinary healthcare team
* Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
* Ability to relate theology, behavior science, and understanding of persons to help minister to patients/families in their struggles
* 4 units of ACPE-accredited CPE units
* MDiv (or equivalent)
* Board-certified (or eligible and committed to pursuing board-certification within 2 years of hire)

Personal

* A spiritual life grounded in the disciplines of prayer and reflection
* Compassion for the sick and their families
* Maturity and ability to function under stressful conditions
* Resourcefulness and cooperation in relationship with others
* Commitment to personal and professional growth
* Fluently bilingual and bicultural strongly preferred