Associate Chaplain - Per Diem

Department

CHAPLAINCY SERVICES - 208314

Worker Sub Type

Per Diem

Work Shift

Pay Grade

Job Description

As a member of the Chaplaincy Services team, the Associate Chaplain supports clinical Chaplaincy Services at Valley Health System by providing spiritual care services, including evening/night call, weekday and weekend scheduled hours. This position will support patients, families, and staff who are coping with trauma, crisis, death and various spiritual and emotional issues.

Responsibilities and Duties

Gathers and evaluates relevant data pertinent to the patient’s situation and/or bio-psycho-social-spiritual/religious health. Gathers data in an intentional, systematic, and ongoing process with the assent of the patient.

Prioritizes data collection activities based on the patient’s condition, or anticipated needs of the patient or situation.

Uses appropriate assessment techniques in collecting pertinent data. Demonstrates familiarity with several published models for spiritual/religious assessment and is able to teach others in their use. Documents relevant data and plans of care in the medical record.

Contributes to an established plan of care to promote patient well-being and continuity of care.

Assists full-time and part-time chaplains in patient plan of care, as appropriate. Identifies any changes in outcomes, interventions, and plans in terms of the patient and the patient’s values, spiritual/religious practices and beliefs, ethical considerations, environment, and/or situation.

Enters information into the patient’s medical record that is relevant to the patient’s medical, psycho-social, and spiritual/religious goals of care. Identifies any changes to desired outcomes, interventions, and plans in terms of the patient and support persons. Documentation reflects assessment and delivery of care.

Collaborates with the organization’s full and part-time chaplains, and interdisciplinary care team.

Maintains professional interpersonal relationships with the interdisciplinary care team members. Works collaboratively with the team to implement the plan of care, ensuring that the patient’s wishes and wholeness remain primary. Promptly responds to all referrals when on duty (e.g., ancillary consults, pages, phone messages). Educates staff regarding the role of chaplaincy care.

Adheres to the Association of Professional Chaplains' Common Code of Ethics, which guides decision making and professional behavior. Maintains clear boundaries for sexual, spiritual/religious, financial, and /or cultural values. Protects the confidential relationships with those under her/his care.

Models and collaborates with the organization and its interdisciplinary team in respecting and providing culturally competent, patient-centered care.

Defines and incorporates desired outcomes, interventions, and plans into the assessment and plan of care in terms of the patient’s/family’s culture, spiritual/religious practices and beliefs, ethical considerations, environment and/or situation. Identifies and respects spiritual/religious and/or cultural values; assists in identifying and responding to identified needs and boundaries.

Provides timely and sensitive care to the organization’s staff via individual interactions. Provides supportive conversations with staff. Provides chaplaincy care to staff through spiritually/religiously inclusive, non-coercive interactions. Provides timely and collaborative peer support activities during times of critical incidents (e.g. informal defusing, CISM).

Assists full and part-time chaplains in the provision of chaplaincy care to the organization in ways consonant with the organization’s values and mission statements.
Participates in corporate, spiritually based rituals consistent with the organization’s mission statement, and community needs. Assists Chaplaincy team in leading the organization’s inspirational community observances.

Practices evidence-based care including ongoing evaluation of new practices. Critically evaluates new research for its potential to improve clinical practice and integrates new knowledge into clinical practice.

Assumes responsibility for continued professional development, demonstrates a working and current knowledge of theory and practice, and integrates such information into practice.
Accountable for guiding the profession within the Association of Professional Chaplains' “Common Standards for Professional Chaplaincy," and any applicable organizational, state, and/or federal requirements. Accountable to the function, specialty, and/or the strategic initiatives of the organization. Responsible for completing continuing education hours related specifically to chaplaincy care, numbering 10-15 hours annually.

Education
Master’s degree in divinity, theology, counseling, or another relevant discipline, is preferred.

Completion of a minimum of ONE unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), or equivalent clinical experience/education is strongly preferred.

Experience
A significant work history of practical experience and effectiveness as a chaplain, or counselor, is required.

Experience in a clinical setting is preferred.

Certification & Licensures
Board Certification with the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC) is preferred.

Qualifications
Excellent verbal and written communications skills required.

Excellent documentation skills required.

Thorough understanding of the spiritual needs of patients and families from the very young to the elderly, in high stress, critical and traumatic illness and injury situations, including death and bereavement required.

Thorough knowledge of services available from the interdisciplinary team and community.

Demonstrates a thorough knowledge and understanding of cultural and spiritual/religious diversity.

Demonstrates familiarity with published research findings that inform clinical practice, through reading professional journals and other materials.

Benefits

At Valley Health, we believe everyone is a caregiver, and our goal is to create an environment where our caregivers thrive physically, financially, and emotionally. In addition to a competitive salary, our most popular benefits for full-time employees include:

• A Zero-Deductible Health Plan
• Dental and vision insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Tuition Assistance
• Retirement Savings Match
• A Robust Employee Assistance Program to help with many aspects of emotional wellbeing
• Membership to Healthy U: An Incentive-Based Wellness Program

Valley Health also offers a health savings account & flexible spending account for childcare, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, and professional development. In addition, several perks come with working for the largest employer in the region, such as discounts to on-campus dining, and more.

To see the full scale of what we offer, visit valleyhealthbenefits.com.