CHAPLAIN ASSOCIATE JOB DESCRIPTION TEMPLATE

Acute care settings generate a continuous stream of patients and families navigating diagnosis, grief, end-of-life decisions, and spiritual crisis - and without dedicated pastoral presence, those needs go unmet inside the medical model. The Chaplain Associate fills that gap by delivering holistic spiritual and emotional support to patients, families, and clinical staff across inpatient and hospice units. Compliance with the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services (ERDs) shapes much of the ethical decision-making support this role provides. One unit of ACPE-certified Clinical Pastoral Education is the standard entry credential.

As the Chaplain Associate, you serve as the primary pastoral responder within the care team, conducting spiritual assessments, facilitating Advance Care Planning conversations, and coordinating sacramental and bereavement ministry for patients approaching end of life. You operate within an interdisciplinary model, reporting to the Spiritual Care Director or a supervising Staff Chaplain and partnering with physicians, nurses, social workers, and community clergy to ensure continuity of care.

Career Impact: Completing ACPE-certified CPE units and accumulating acute care hours builds the documented clinical hours required for board-certified chaplaincy credentials through APC or NACC, strengthening your standing as a credentialed healthcare spiritual care professional.

Business Impact: Patients and families navigating end-of-life decisions or sudden trauma depend on this role for timely pastoral response - measurably reducing distress and supporting informed Advance Directive completion within the care team workflow.

Growth Opportunity: Exposure to ethics consultations, interfaith ministry, and interdisciplinary clinical rounds positions the Chaplain Associate to advance to Staff Chaplain or Spiritual Care Manager roles within hospital systems or hospice networks.

• Assess spiritual, emotional, and psychosocial needs of patients and families through structured spiritual assessments at admission and during care transitions.
• Respond to trauma activations, codes, and emergency referrals within policy-defined response times to provide immediate pastoral presence.
• Document all pastoral interventions and follow-up plans in the electronic medical record, maintaining accuracy for continuity of interdisciplinary care.
• Facilitate Advance Care Planning conversations aligned with patient values, belief systems, and ERD guidelines in collaboration with the clinical team.
• Coordinate sacraments, rituals, and faith community notifications with clergy of diverse denominations as requested by patients and families.
• Support clinical staff experiencing compassion fatigue or secondary traumatic stress through debriefs, consultation, and referral to appropriate resources.
• Participate in unit-based care conferences and interdisciplinary rounds to integrate spiritual care into the broader patient care plan.
• Contribute to pastoral education programs within the hospital, including orientation content for new clinical staff on spiritual care referral processes

• Bachelor's degree in theology, religious studies, divinity, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• Two or more years of pastoral ministry experience in an institutional or clinical setting, with demonstrated ability to provide crisis-informed care.
• Completion of at least one unit of ACPE-certified Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) from an accredited center.
• Endorsement from or attestation of good standing within a recognized faith tradition or ecclesiastical body.
• Ability to conduct spiritual assessments and document clinical interactions using electronic medical record systems.
• Knowledge of the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services (ERDs) and Common Standards for Professional Chaplaincy.
• Demonstrated competency in interfaith ministry, including respectful engagement with patients and families from diverse religious and secular backgrounds.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, or willingness to obtain prior to independent patient contact in hospice settings.

• Master's degree in divinity (M.Div.), theology, or a related graduate field from an accredited seminary or university.
• Two or more units of ACPE-certified CPE, or enrollment in a residency program toward board certification through APC, NACC, or equivalent body.
• Prior experience in acute care, hospice, or palliative care settings with exposure to end-of-life ministry and bereavement support.
• Formal training or certification in crisis counseling or trauma-informed pastoral care.

• Spiritual assessment completion rate within 24 hours of referral, reflecting timely triage of new pastoral needs.
• Emergency response time to trauma and code activations, measured against the local department response-time policy.
• Advance Directive facilitation rate among eligible end-of-life patients, reflecting contribution to care planning compliance.
• Accuracy and completeness of pastoral documentation in the EMR, reviewed quarterly by the Spiritual Care Director.
• Interfaith coordination touchpoints per month, measuring active engagement with community clergy and faith resources.
• Typical tools: Electronic medical record platforms (commonly Epic or Cerner); scheduling and on-call management systems.

• Base Salary Range: $42,000 to $58,000 annually, depending on CPE units and acute care experience.
• Bonus: modest performance or mission-alignment bonus where offered, typically 2 to 4%.
• Equity: not standard for this role in hospital or health system settings.
• Health Benefits: medical, dental, and vision coverage standard across most health system employers.
• PTO: 15 to 22 days annually, plus recognized holidays and on-call relief scheduling.
• Common Perks: Continuing education reimbursement for CPE units, professional association dues, and chaplaincy credentialing support.

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Employment contingent on successful completion of a background check, which may include criminal history and, in hospice or pediatric settings, additional screening consistent with state law. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities are available throughout the application and employment process upon request. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

The Chaplain Associate delivers pastoral and spiritual care to patients, families, and clinical staff across acute care settings, including crisis response, Advance Care Planning facilitation, and bereavement ministry aligned with the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Healthcare Services. Reporting to the Spiritual Care Director and collaborating with interdisciplinary care teams, the Chaplain Associate ensures continuity of holistic care by documenting interventions and coordinating with faith community leaders across diverse denominations.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist people to move through immediate and emerging crises and trauma.
• Facilitate theological reflection as appropriate.
• Provide and document interventions and interactions, requesting follow up by other chaplains or disciplines as appropriate.
• Offer holistic spiritual care and counsel to address the spiritual, psychological, social and physical needs of patients, families and health care team.
• Assist others in ethical decision making, which may include Advance Care Planning, consistent with their values and belief system and in accordance with the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Healthcare Services.
• Provide notification, consultation, and support for patients and families wishing their faith community leaders to be notified and involved in their care.
• Respond to traumas, codes, emergency requests or other needs in a timely manner consistent with local response time policy.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of one year health care chaplaincy or equivalent setting experience preferred.
• Familiarity with the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services.
• Ability to recognize patients needing assistance with medical decision making and refer them appropriately.
• Ability to interact with faith community leaders of diverse denominations and faith traditions.
• Preference for those with crisis counseling skills and/or experience required for addressing and processing trauma situations.
• Current Basic Life Support certification required for hospice chaplains, preferred for all others.
• Computer literate and proficient in MS Office, with Electronic Medical Record experience preferred.
• Commitment to continuing education.

Embedded within the hospital care team, the Chaplain Associate assesses, addresses, and documents the spiritual and emotional needs of patients and their families across crisis, loss, and grief situations, including coordination of sacraments and outreach to clergy of diverse faith traditions. Working closely with clinical staff and on-call rotation partners, the Chaplain Associate supports staff wellness while maintaining appropriate boundaries in a demanding acute care environment.

Core Functions

• Collaborate with staff to assess, address and document the spiritual and emotional needs of patients and their families.
• Triage and minister amidst crises, loss and grief.
• Contact clergy of other faiths as requested by patients and families.
• Provide sacraments as appropriate in their faith and the situation.
• Provide spiritual and emotional support to staff as needed.

Qualifications and Experience

• Master's degree or equivalent knowledge in Religious Studies, Theology, Divinity, or related field required.
• Ability to work amidst crisis situations in a calm, non-anxious manner.
• Ability to maintain appropriate emotional, physical and spiritual boundaries.
• Ability to communicate and document efficiently using electronic media.
• Availability and transportation to serve on-call rotation as needed.

Reporting to hospital chaplaincy leadership, the Chaplain Associate initiates and responds to pastoral consultations, leads interfaith worship services, and coordinates sacraments and rites across inpatient units to ensure comprehensive spiritual care for all persons served. Partnering with hospital staff, interdisciplinary teams, and chaplaincy colleagues, the Chaplain Associate contributes to pastoral education programs and maintains ongoing professional and theological development.

Primary Duties

• Evaluate the patient and situation with appropriate follow-up ministry within specified time.
• Initiate a cooperative consultation with hospital and medical staff for immediate or deferred ministry response within specified time.
• Initiate, respond, follow up and cooperate with hospital and other team members for comprehensive and continuum of care of persons.
• Participate in unit meetings and/or clinical consultations when applicable with hospital staff.
• Prepare and lead scheduled interfaith worship using appropriate materials when applicable.
• Provide or arrange sacraments and rites according to spiritual preferences and within time limits.
• Contribute to pastoral education programs within the hospital.
• Maintain professional and personal expertise and growth.

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required, with a professional theological degree such as M.Div., MTS, or BD desirable.
• One unit of ACPE Certified Clinical Pastoral Education or equivalent required, with one year desirable.
• One year of full-time pastoral experience or equivalent.
• Spiritual perspectives and sensitivity to persons in stress.
• Ability to listen well and speak with individuals and small groups.
• Theological competence.
• Skill with interdisciplinary team cooperation.
• Skill with interfaith cooperation.
• Keyboard skills and ability to navigate electronic systems applicable to job functions.

A key member of the spiritual care team, the Chaplain Associate delivers pastoral ministry to patients, loved ones, and staff, with particular focus on end-of-life bereavement care, Advance Directive education, and sacramental coordination aligned with the Common Standards for Professional Chaplaincy. Collaborating across clinical disciplines and the local religious community, the Chaplain Associate responds to routine and emergency referrals while supporting patients and families navigating diverse spiritual and religious needs.

Duties

• Provide pastoral and spiritual care to patients, loved ones, and staff.
• Complete spiritual assessments and communicate with other care team members.
• Provide clinical documentation as required.
• Respond to and initiate routine and emergency referrals in a timely manner.
• Coordinate with the local religious community to ensure the patient's and loved ones' spiritual and sacramental needs are being met.
• Coordinate spiritual and pastoral ministry and bereavement care for those approaching end of life and at death.
• Provide blessing, ritual, and prayer for pastoral support upon request.
• Educate and assist patients with respect to Advance Directives as needed.

Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of the Common Standards for Professional Chaplaincy and the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services.
• Pastoral ministry in an institutional setting required.
• Accepting and understanding of diverse religious beliefs and practices.
• Ability to deal with crisis situations and periodic exposure to secondary traumatic stress.