Health Services Chaplain

A Health Services Chaplain is a spiritual care provider who offers emotional, spiritual, and religious support to individuals in healthcare settings, such as hospitals, nursing homes, hospice care, and continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). They play a vital role in addressing the spiritual needs of patients, families, and staff, especially during times of illness, crisis, or end-of-life care.

A Health Services Chaplain is often a compassionate, empathetic individual who is deeply committed to the spiritual well-being of others. They are typically trained in theology, spiritual care, and pastoral counseling, with a genuine calling to serve others in times of need. They must be adaptable, able to engage with diverse personalities, and provide care in a respectful, non-judgmental manner.

The Health Services Chaplain responsibilities include:

• Pastoral Care and Support: 
• The core function is to provide spiritual and emotional support to residents in the Health Center and Catered Living. This includes:
• Provision for their spiritual health and formation, worship, end of life, grief, crisis intervention, and visitation needs.
• Initiating and maintaining pastoral relationships with residents and their families.
• Offering support to residents experiencing health decline, hospice care, and bereavement.
• Providing pastoral support to associates in the care settings and directing them to appropriate resources.
• Spiritual Programming and Connection: 
• Arranging and providing spiritual programming, including bible studies and devotions, tailored to the needs of the residents.
• Facilitating connections or renewal in their spiritual belief systems.
• Connecting residents with their places of worship and clergy/spiritual leaders in the community.
• Care Team Participation:
• Participating in resident care plans, communicating essential information, and serving as a resource to care teams regarding spiritual and emotional needs.
• Attending morning update meetings and other relevant meetings centered around residents and associates.
• Participating in the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) meeting as back up for the Manager of Spiritual Care Services when needed.
• Worship and Observances:
• Sharing in on-call coverage on a rotating basis.
• Providing pastoral visits as needed.  
• Providing Vespers services in the WCBR Chapel on Sunday afternoons.
• Assisting in planning and conducting special worship services, especially surrounding major religious observances.
• Coordinating, arranging, and officiating memorial services and celebrations of life.
• Community Engagement:
• Attending WCBR events, dining with residents, and participating in residents’ meetings and activities.
• Attending and supporting functions for associates sponsored by various WCBR departments.
• Offering prayers and blessings for WCBR meetings and events.
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging:
• Providing support “with creativity, imagination, energy, intelligence, and love in support of WCBR’s mission and values, including our commitment to furthering diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging.”