Director of Spiritual Care

Now Hiring · HealthCare Chaplaincy Network

Hospital for Special Surgery · New York, NY

About the Role

As an employee of the HealthCare Chaplaincy Network, the Director of Spiritual Care is responsible for the management of the Department of Spiritual Care at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

They will:

• Ensure the delivery of an effective and efficient program of Spiritual Care Services to patients, their loved ones, and staff of all faith traditions.
• Develop and maintain proper strategic planning and administrative procedures for the Department of Spiritual Care in accordance with institutional policy.
• Actively support the total integration of Spiritual Care into the institution.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

1. Deliver an effective and efficient program of spiritual care

To all patients, their loved ones, and staff of all faith traditions and cultures.

• Ensure that spiritual care services are delivered according to a written plan that specifies a comprehensive model, priorities, goals, and priority populations.
• Ensure that spiritual care services are delivered according to Chaplaincy Standards of Practice and outcome-oriented chaplaincy congruent with the hospital mission.
• Lead and actively participate in the delivery of spiritual care services.
• Ensure all spiritual care requests are responded to in a timely manner.
• Actively support the inclusion of chaplains in patient care initiatives.
• Ensure that appropriate worship opportunities are provided and spiritual care literature is available.
• Ensure ritual and sacramental needs are met.
• Coordinate an on-call schedule as needed by the institution.
• Work collaboratively with community faith representatives and spiritual care volunteers.

2. Develop and maintain strategic planning and administrative procedures

For the Department of Spiritual Care, in accordance with institutional policy.

• In collaboration with the institution and HCCN, develop and periodically review a strategic plan for the Department of Spiritual Care that is aligned with overall institutional goals and objectives.
• Develop and maintain Department of Spiritual Care policies and procedures.
• Develop and maintain Department of Spiritual Care policy for keeping and reporting of departmental records to be shared with hospital administration and HCCN.
• Develop and administer a departmental plan for continuous quality improvement.
• Develop and manage departmental resources according to HSS budgetary parameters.
• Oversee use and maintenance of Spiritual Care offices and the Chapel areas.
• Supervise, support, and facilitate the work of those delivering spiritual care services, including chaplain interns, spiritual care volunteers, lay eucharistic ministers, and community members, ensuring accountability.
• Maintain compliance with external regulatory and accreditation agencies (CMS, NYC Department of Health, TJC) for spiritual care services.

3. Support the total integration of spiritual care services in the institution

• Serve as a liaison to other departments such as nursing, social work, volunteers, etc.
• Provide orientation to spiritual care services for employees.
• Serve on HSS institutional committees as appointed.
• Promote an interdisciplinary approach to spiritual care and chaplaincy.
• Participate in palliative care rounds or committee as requested by the institution.
• Provide spiritual care education to the hospital community as needs are identified.
• Provide spiritual care and chaplaincy support to hospital staff.
• Provide ethics, crisis, and grief support.

4. Participate in and contribute to the professional chaplaincy community

• Maintain certification and good standing in a professional chaplaincy certifying body.
• Participate in teaching or lecturing as invited.
• Participate in research relevant to the spiritual care and chaplaincy field as appropriate.
• Author or co-author materials relevant to the field as appropriate.

5. Participate in programs and meetings of the HealthCare Chaplaincy Network

• Coordinate the Wholeness of Life Award.
• Coordinate the Spiritual Care Committee.

Qualifications

• Certified as a Board-Certified Chaplain by, and in good standing with, a national chaplaincy certifying body such as the Spiritual Care Association, Association of Professional Chaplains, the National Association of Catholic Chaplains, or the Neshama Association of Jewish Chaplains.
  • This certification requires a college degree, a master’s-level degree in a field related to health care chaplaincy, a minimum of four units of clinical pastoral education, and a rigorous professional assessment and peer review process.
• Five years minimum experience in the field of professional chaplaincy.
• Two years minimum experience in management.
• Literacy in Epic – electronic medical record system.
• A working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite, including intermediate Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Understanding of Outcome Oriented Chaplaincy.
• Understanding of the CMS chaplaincy coding system.

Working Conditions

• Some direct contact with patients with communicable diseases, using accepted universal precautions.
• Substantial time spent with patients, their loved ones, staff, volunteers, and students, requiring a high degree of emotional energy and mental alertness.
• Must have mobility through the health institution’s facilities that are handicapped accessible.