Chaplain - job 3 of 3

The Chaplain at CHI St. Alexius Health Dickinson plays a vital role, focusing on providing spiritual support to patients, their families, employees, and visitors across all faiths. Key responsibilities include offering comfort during emergencies, conducting on-call rounds, administering sacraments, responding to critical situations such as deaths or traumas, and coordinating with local clergy to ensure holistic spiritual care.

Applicants for the Chaplain position at CHI St. Alexius Health Dickinson need a bachelor's degree or relevant post-secondary training, preferably in Theology, Psychology, Counseling, or Social Work. Additionally, candidates should possess a minimum of two years of healthcare experience and have completed at least one quarter of clinical pastoral education or its equivalent, ensuring they are well-prepared to support patients spiritually.

During crises such as Code Blues or patient traumas, the Chaplain at CHI St. Alexius Health Dickinson provides immediate spiritual care and support. This includes offering comfort, presence, and compassion to patients and family members facing distressing situations, helping them navigate their emotions and spiritual needs through difficult times.

While the minimum requirement is two years of healthcare work, candidates applying for the Chaplain position at CHI St. Alexius Health Dickinson are preferred to have an additional two years of pastoral experience. This background aids in fostering a strong sense of empathy and spiritual connection with patients.

Preferred certifications for applicants to the Chaplain role at CHI St. Alexius Health Dickinson include BCC-APC, CSCPE, or BCC-BCC. Having such certifications demonstrates a commitment to professional pastoral care and signifies that the candidate has met established standards in spiritual healthcare.

In your response, connect a specific experience that showcases your ability to manage stress, provide comfort, and support families in a crisis. Highlight your empathy, problem-solving skills, and how you utilized your spiritual training to guide your actions.

Emphasize your respect for diverse belief systems and your willingness to learn about each patient’s spiritual needs. Discuss your strategies for creating an inclusive environment that allows patients from all faiths to feel validated and cared for.

Be prepared to discuss any formal training or experiences you have had in clinical pastoral education. Share how these experiences have prepared you for real-world situations in healthcare settings, focusing on your learnings and applications.

Highlight your communication skills and your experience coordinating with local clergy to provide comprehensive spiritual support. Provide examples of how you have worked together to meet patients’ spiritual needs and offer comfort.

Discuss qualities such as empathy, compassion, and active listening skills. Provide examples of how these traits play a role in your interaction with patients and their families, especially in high-stress scenarios.

Discuss your self-care strategies and how you cultivate resilience during stressful situations. Highlight the importance of seeking supervision, peer support, and personal spiritual practices that maintain your well-being.

Share your approach to offering compassion and guidance, including providing a safe space for grieving and facilitating discussions about their emotions and needs. Emphasize your training and experience in pastoral care in such sensitive situations.

Emphasize the importance of collaboration with medical staff, social workers, and other service providers to ensure holistic patient care. Provide examples of how teamwork has enhanced the support provided to patients and their families.

Share a relevant experience that illustrates your role in advocating for patient needs. Focus on how you communicated with healthcare professionals to ensure those needs were recognized and met within the care plan.

Express your passion for spiritual caregiving within a healthcare setting and your admiration for CHI St. Alexius Health Dickinson’s mission. Discuss your alignment with their values and how you hope to contribute positively to their team.