Chaplain

Mercy Medical Center Mt. Shasta is a member of the Dignity Health system of health care providers and is a not-for-profit medical facility. We are designated as a 25 bed Critical Access Hospital and are accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health care Organizations. In addition to our acute care hospital we also own and operate two Rural Health Clinics providing walk-in immediate care as well as scheduled appointments for routine medical needs.We are located in the northernmost area of California and are part of a network of care including Mercy Medical Center Redding and St. Elizabeth Community Hospital in Red Bluff. We are passionate about patient care committed to community outreach advocates for the underserved and dedicated to ensuring that quality affordable health services are available to all who need them. For more information visit www.mercy.org.

Position Summary:

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 ensuring that religious, spiritual, cultural, emotional and ethical needs of patients and their loved ones are met. Chaplains work specific shifts according to a published schedule.

• Ministers to employees and physicians as the need arises and refers to the Employee Assistance Program or others as appropriate
• Performs appropriate services for patients that contribute to their comfort and well being in the hospital
• Supports an environment of hospitality and trust between caregivers and those served. Promotes a community environment within the hospital
• Visits critically ill and dying patients at least daily or more often, to offer them and their families comfort, consolation and encouragement. Prays with patients and families when appropriate and as requested
• Responds to patient deaths and provides spiritual and emotional support to family members
• Responds to Code Blue events on assigned units and provides spiritual and emotional support to other patients in formulating Advance Health Care Directives upon request
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested in a professional manner

Minimum Qualifications:

• 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.
• MA or MDiv in Theology, Pastoral Care/Counseling, Divinity or equivalent from an accredited institution. Understands and is able to apply the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services (USCCB).
• CT APCC - Board Certification with NACC, APC, NAJC, or ACPE within two years of hire. 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.
• Supervised clinical training with a minimum of four units of Clinical Pastoral Education in an accredited ACPE hospital center

Preferred Qualifications

• Roman Catholic Priest or layperson.
• Board Certified with APC, NACC, NAJC, ACPE, or other COMISS equivalent.