Chaplain

Founded in 1873, Dignity Health - Mercy Medical Center is a 186-bed, acute care, nonprofit hospital located in Merced, California. Serving over 150,000 patients annually, the hospital offers a full complement of services including a Level II NICU, heart care, the Mercy Cancer Center, and a family birth center. Additionally, Merced Medical Center has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and is a Joint Commission-certified Primary Stroke Center.

One Community. One Mission. One California 

As our Chaplain, you will serve as a vital spiritual leader and compassionate caregiver within our hospital community, providing essential spiritual counseling and support to patients, families, and staff.

Every day, you will provide direct spiritual, religious, and existential care, offering compassionate presence, support, and appropriate rituals to patients, families, and staff, especially during times of crisis or grief. You will collaborate with the healthcare team to advocate for spiritual needs and integrate holistic care, ensuring respect for diverse beliefs.

To be successful in this role, you must be a highly compassionate individual, comfortable and skilled in engaging with people who may be emotional, panicked, stressed, or in pain. You'll need the proven ability to provide empathetic care, adapt to diverse spiritual needs, and communicate effectively within a multidisciplinary team.

• Supports the goals of the Spiritual Services team and actively participates in departmental meetings and projects. Is a team player. Participates in daily prayer.
• Provides excellent communication (verbal and written) within the department and throughout the hospital facilities and community.
• Demonstrates an ability to assess needs and manage time effectively and works collaboratively with other chaplains in the fulfillment of the Spiritual Services department responsibilities.
• Prioritizes, assesses and applies appropriate interventions for patient and family visits. Documents visits in a timely manner. Participates in continuing care rounds, patient care conferences, and on-call service.
• Maintains an accurate statistical record of services rendered to patient, family, staff and community.
• Assists in the planning, development and presentation of spiritual care education classes for staff, clergy, volunteers and community outreach programs. Keep appropriate documentation.

Required:

• Master's Degree in Theology or Spirituality, upon hire
• Catholic Chaplain, within 24 - months or
• Board Certified Chaplain APC, within 24 - months or
• Certified Supervisor of Clinical Pastoral Education, within 24 - months or
• Board Certified Chaplain BCC, within 24 - months or
• BCC - JEWISH CHAPLAIN, within 24 - months or
• BCC - CANADIAN SPIRITUAL, within 24 - months and
• Driver's License: CA, upon hire
• Must be in good standing in the Church through ecclesiastical endorsement
• Must be able to take call

Preferred:

• Computer skills
• Second language