JOB SUMMARY

Works with full time staff and per diem staff to provide 24-hour coverage 7-days a week for Pastoral Care. Primary duties are to respond to crisis situations (pager requests/codes) to provide pastoral care. In addition, the per diem chaplain attends to patient care needs through assigned patient visits. The per diem chaplain is to be supportive of and a resource to hospital staff, volunteers, and any clergy. The per diem staff primarily work late afternoon/evening/overnight weekday on-call shifts and weekend on-call shifts as scheduled.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential Functions

• Demonstrates a commitment to the mission of Swedish Hospital, a part of NorthShore University Health System, demonstrates a service orientation and adheres to all responsibilities and standards of the hospital and system.

• Responds to crisis situations (pager requests/codes) to provide pastoral care as needed.
• Responds promptly to pager requests from units to provide pastoral care.
• Understands the meaning of the codes used by the hospital and how to respond to each.
• Sets appropriate priorities when multiple requests for pastoral care come during the same period of time. Communicates regularly with unit if the response must be delayed.
• Provides appropriate pastoral care and stays available to patients and/or families for the duration of the crisis.
• Responds in an appropriate way to requests for sacramental ministries from various faith groups.
• Possesses knowledge of Illinois Advance Directives and provides patients and families with Advance Directive information as requested. Assists patients in completion of Advance Directives as needed.
• Completes necessary electronic medical record documentation.
• Logs appropriate data in departmental records to facilitate work of the in-coming chaplain.
• Attends to new admissions/referrals from previous shift, assesses needs for possible follow-up
• Obtains surgery schedule for the following day. Takes note of the Cardiac Cath Schedule provided. Visits as many inpatients and AM admits from both schedules as possible
• Cares for spiritual, cultural, and emotional needs of patients and families. Seeks to find resources to meet religious needs of patients and families, recognizing that availability may be difficult during the overnight shifts
• Sensitive to the needs and stresses of the staff on nursing units. Refers particular needs to staff chaplains.
• Seeks to work with staff from other departments to meet patient care needs as appropriate.
• Works with other per diem staff to maintain coverage. Is prompt with requests for days to work, calls others to exchange dates when needed.
• Communicates clearly with chaplain for the next shift, relaying any requests or on-going needs.

PATIENT CARE/AGE SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

The Per Diem Chaplain needs to recognize the spiritual and emotional needs and behaviors of a variety of age groups of patients treated including child and adolescent growth and development, as well as young adult, middle age and geriatric spiritual, cognitive and emotional development.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A Divinity student or graduate with a Master of Divinity degree or equivalent. Classes or degree from a college, university, or theological school accredited by a member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (www.chea.org).
• A minimum of one (1) unit of Clinical Pastoral Education from an ACPE accredited center.
• Personal integrated faith.
• Broad pastoral skills as well as clinical skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge and skills: critical thinking, awareness and navigation within systems, spiritual assessment and intervention, grief work and bereavement care.
• Able to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary environment.
• Ability to relate to persons from varied ethnic, religious, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds.

EXPERIENCE (Preferred)

• Acute care/safety net hospital chaplaincy
• Knowledge of various religious traditions.
• Multi-cultural engagement
• Second language skills (i.e. Spanish, Korean, Arabic, Polish, Urdu, etc.)

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION

• Ordination, commissioning, or ecclesiastical endorsement from a federally recognized faith group or community preferred. In good standing with credentialing faith group or community.

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CONTACTS

• Internal: hospital employees at all levels, patients and families.
• External: Clergy from a broad spectrum of faiths, volunteers, community persons visiting Hospital.

ACCESS TO PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION

• Name, Demographic and Service Specific Clinical (i.e. clinical information specific to the department).
• Computer system access is based on manager's access level request and on the minimum necessary as described by this job description. Approval for level of access is given by the system administrator or manager of the department that has ownership of system/module. See computer/system access controls policy.

ENVIRONMENT

• Primary body position: Sitting = (30)%, Standing/Walking = (70)%
• Lifting requirements up to 50 lbs occasionally or frequently
• Exposure to noise, stress and many interruptions.
• Potential for exposure to chemicals, blood and bodily fluids.
• Potential exposure to airborne diseases. The same as for any individual working in a hospital environment that is dependent on a ceiling ventilation system for in flow and out flow of air.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Required