Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center

Department: Office of Spiritual Care

Position is located: Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center

Work Type: Full Time

Hours Per Week: 40.00

Work Schedule: No Hours Assigned

Summary:

The Spiritual Care Program Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operational oversight, planning and coordination of Spiritual Care/Chaplaincy at the hospital. The manager will oversee the implementation/maintenance of a comprehensive program to provide for the spiritual and religious needs of patients, families, visitors, and staff. The manager will spearhead efforts to grow the program, identify ways to support the program through various means, ensure consistency across the provision of care, and further develop training opportunities.

Responsibilities:

Coordinates the spiritual care associates’/chaplaincy program to provide spiritual support to patients and families by initiating pastoral visitation and through requests and referrals.Assures timely responses to spiritual and pastoral care referrals that originate from interdisciplinary rounds, spiritual care volunteers, community clergy and staff including, physicians, nurses, social services, and hospice. Makes appropriate referrals.Properly charts visitation and documentation according to specific guidelines in the electronic medical record and ensures all visiting individuals follow the same guidelines.Assists patient's family and staff to enhance sensitivity and more fully understand spiritual and emotional well-being, especially during times of crisis, transition, loss and end-of-life.Recognizes and appreciates cultural diversity on all levels and actively seeks to integrate that awareness in clinical and administrative duties.Accurately assesses patient's spiritual needs and provides competent spiritual care in addressing spiritual concerns of the patients in relation to their presenting health issues.When appropriate utilizes and refers to community clergy and faith leaders to meet identified patients’ needs, provide sacraments or rituals when appropriate and feasible. Offering hospitality to visiting clergy and assistance with registration and orientation and providing spiritual care as requested by community pastors for their congregational members.Provides opportunities for sacramental ministry with patients and families.Collaborates with Catholic Priest (s) to provide for the sacramental needs of the Catholic patients.Plans, leads, or participates in prayer and multi-faith worship services.Works closely with the VP of HR and Community Engagement to determine appropriate goals and strategies to maximize spiritual care resources and provision of care.Provides guidance and support of spiritual care staff including administrative functions and feedback. Works cooperatively with volunteer services to ensure compliance and appropriate alignment with volunteer processes.Maintains responsibility for spiritual and pastoral care department budget and monitoring expenses.Attends division and leadership meetings, completes mandatory in-service and educational requirements. Participates in continuing education opportunities to enhance skills and keep abreast of developments in spiritual care, health care and ethics.Participates in team meetings and consults with other health care professionals in order to enhance patient care.Offers in-service education and programs to staff on spiritual and ethical issues related to patient, family support as needed.Builds and maintains active relationships with staff, leaders, physicians, and other member organization leaders to improve the overall culture of the organization.Leads in the identification of service delivery gaps and implements performance improvement solutions. Leads process improvement efforts to ensure consistency in processes and delivery.

Other Information:

Pastoral Care Skills:

Professional association with recognized denomination or relevant professional association required Candidates will be required to have a face-to-face appearance in front of the spiritual advisory committee to present philosophy and approach.Endorsement from recognized faith tradition or relevant professional association. Minimum at least four units of CPE. Masters or Doctor of Divinity/Theology strongly preferred.Minimum of 3 years of post-training pastoral or spiritual care experience.Minimum of 1 year of leadership or program maintenance/governance experience.

Competencies and Skills

Achieves Results: Sets high standards for their own outcomes and seizes opportunities to engage others towards objectives. Consistently moves forward with direct actions in order to attain or exceed objectives. Manages their own time effectively to accomplish assigned tasks. Successfully prioritizes multiple projects and duties as needed.Acts Strategically: Creates effective plans that anticipate future consequences and opportunities and is able to connect the day-to-day operations to longer-term objectives, shifts in the industry, and system goals. Applies Business Acumen:  Demonstrates knowledge of current and future trends that impact organizational success. Applies proven practices and business theories to get results that meet financial as well as other business goals. Recognizes opportunities for new services and products and acts accordingly, taking measured risks into consideration. Possesses a thorough knowledge of their field and independently carries out their work in accordance with professional standards of the profession. Behaves with Integrity and Builds Trust: Acts consistently in line with the core values, commitments and rules of conduct. Leads by example and tells the truth. Does what they say they will, when and how they say they will, or communicates an alternate plan. Cultivates Respect: Treats others fairly, embraces and values differences, and contributes to a culture of diversity, inclusion, empowerment and cooperation.Demonstrates Adaptability: Learns quickly when facing a new problem or unfamiliar task; is flexible in their approach with changing priorities and ambiguity. Manages change effectively and does not give up during adversity. Capable of changing one's behavioral style and/or views in order to attain a goal. Absorbs new information readily and puts it into practice effectively.Demonstrates Emotional Intelligence: Exhibits a high level of self-awareness, self-management, other awareness and relationship management. Conducts themselves in an empathic, appropriate way, with a sense of humor and stimulates a collaborative work environment. Is respectful of the attitudes, feelings, or circumstances of others and aware of the influence of their own behavior on them. Is aware of relevant social, political, system, and professional trends and developments and uses this information for the organization's benefit. Develops Self and Others:Takes responsibility for engaging in professional self-development activities and programs. Strives to gain insight into their own values, strengths and weaknesses, interests and ambitions and takes action in order to enhance competencies and skills when possible. As a leader, encourages and guides employees towards growth opportunities to enhance performance and help them reach goals. Reviews and analyzes employees' strengths and weaknesses to distinguish their talents and development needs, and to ensure they are enhanced appropriately. Effectively Communicates: Listens, speaks and writes appropriately, using clear language. Communication methods are fitting to the message(s), audience, and situation and follow-ups are regular and timely. Shows that important (non-) verbal information is absorbed and understood and asks further questions to clarify when necessary. Expresses ideas and views clearly to others and has ability to adjust use of language to the audiences' level. Exercises Sound Judgment & Decision Making: Understands and processes complex information, which allows for appropriate and accountable conclusions. Does not react too quickly or slowly. Balances facts, goals, and potential approaches taking the appropriate criteria into account. Makes active decisions and commits oneself by communicating confidently and respectfully.Fosters Accountability: Creates and participates in a work environment where people hold themselves and others accountable for processes, results and behaviors. Takes appropriate ownership not only of successes but also mistakes and works to correct them in a timely manner. Demonstrates understanding that we all work as a team and the quality and timeliness of work impacts everyone involved. Influences and Inspires: Builds enthusiasm and commitment among others to move in a desired direction and models it personally. Creates a compelling vision of success that motivates workplace initiative and energizes others to follow. Provides direction and guidance to encourage cooperation between team members in order to attain an objective. Has the ability to appropriately influence others' actions and decisions with and without express authority.Practices Compassion: Exhibits genuine care for people and is available and ready to help; displays a deep awareness of and strong willingness to relieve the suffering of others.Promotes Health and Safety: Promotes a healthy and safe environment for patients, employees and visitors. Advocates and models healthy physical and mental health behaviors even in challenging circumstances. Sets high quality standards and strives for continuous improvement and quality assurance by reporting and encouraging others to report near misses and safety issues. Provides Patient-Centered Care: Demonstrates understanding of patient care quality and service as organizational priority. Proactively supports change to improve patient experience and results. Exhibits the ability and willingness to find out what the patient wants and needs and to act accordingly, taking the organizational and outside resources into account. Cooperates, collaborates, communicates, and integrates care within and between teams to ensure that care is continuous and reliable.Resolves Conflict: Promptly acts to find alternatives/solutions when team members disagree. Addresses issues in a direct, honest, and appropriate manner. Handles conflicting interests diplomatically and helps to solve them. Transforms difficult situations into teachable moments using respect and accountability.Seeks Process Improvement & Applies System Thinking: Possesses and gains insight into situations, problems and processes. Understands the interconnection between organizational elements. Deconstructs problems and systematically investigates the various components. Considers the impact of actions on the entire process/system. Detects problems and opportunities, recognizes important information, and links various data to trace potential causes and relevant details. Serves Others: Strives to understand, meet and exceed the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers which may include the people and communities in our service areas. Develops and maintains relationships, alliances and coalitions within and outside the organization and leverages them in order to obtain information, support, and promote cooperation and collaboration. Utilizes Resources Effectively: Understands how to get the most out of available resources and uses cost-benefit thinking in decision-making and in setting priorities. Monitors and analyzes resource usage to identify and eliminate areas of waste and maximize resources. As a leader, defines targets and provides appropriate means; oversees progress and makes adjustments when necessary. Appropriately delegates work, sets clear direction and manages workflow and time.

Education

Required Bachelor's Degree

Required Experience

1 year/years of Leadership Experience

Working Conditions

Prolonged periods of walking. Prolonged periods of sitting. Lifting, moving and loading less than 20 pounds.