Chaplain

Position Summary:

The Chaplains of Mercy & Memorial Hospitals minister to the patients, families, staff, physicians, volunteers, and visitors at the three Dignity Health hospitals in Bakersfield. Consistent with the mission and values of Dignity Health, the Staff Chaplain is a professional who provides spiritual care for patients, families, staff, and physicians. Responsibilities include to ensure that religious, spiritual, cultural, and ethical needs of patients and their loved ones are met. Chaplains work regular day shift and share coverage of nights and weekends according to a published schedule.

Minimum Requirements:

Licensure 

Board Certification with NACC, APC, NAJC, or ACPE within one year of hire into position. Applicant that is eligible for certification must demonstrate their progress toward certification. Provision to extend the one year time frame may be granted on occasion for emergencies. Good standing requires maintenance of Continuing Education and Peer Review requirements for renewal of certification while observing a professional code of ethics required by your Professional Organizational Standards. Endorsement by ecclesiastical authority required.

Education  

MDiv or MA in Theology, Pastoral Care/Counseling, Divinity, or equivalent. Understands and is able to apply the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services (USCCB).

Training 

Clinical training of at least four units in Clinical Pastoral Education at an accredited ACPE hospital center.

Experience   

Experience ministering in an acute care and emergency services setting to a multi-cultural, underserved, and disenfranchised population. Collaborating as a member of Interdisciplinary Teams. Working closely with Social Workers, Care Coordinators, and Palliative Care nurses. Consulting for ethical issues.

Special Skills   

Collaborates well as a Team Member in the Department and on Interdisciplinary Teams. • Manages time and energy for job completion. • Is able to complete Spiritual Care Assessments on patients and document interventions in Electronic Health Record. • Is flexible with scheduling. • Excellent communication and pastoral counseling skills. • Sensitivity to diverse religious and cultural practices and values. • Ability to function effectively in crisis and under stress. • Ability to relate to and be supportive of other members of the hospital staff. • Capable of theological reflection with persons of any faith tradition. • Ability to integrate and apply pastoral perspective and competence in a variety of functions, e.g., interdisciplinary care conferences, in-service education, and group process. • Demonstrates basic organizational and administrative skills. • Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating, policy and procedure manuals.

Founded by the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy Hospitals have a history of caring for our community that goes back more than 100 years. We provide a broad range of medical and surgical services including minimally invasive and outpatient options. Our family of services includes the area's only inpatient oncology unit, the Orthopedic, Spine, and Hand Center, Family Birth Center, the Lactation Support Center and retail store, and many others. Mercy Hospital Downtown is a 194-bed facility located in downtown Bakersfield. Mercy Hospital Southwest is a 78-bed facility and the only hospital located in the rapidly growing area west of Highway 99. Mercy Hospital is a member of Dignity Health and is a trusted community partner, serving residents of Bakersfield and Kern County with quality, compassionate care since 1910. Learn more here at https://www.dignityhealth.org/central-california/locations/mercy-bakersfield.
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