NI-Chaplain

J  o  b    D  e  s  c  r  i  p  t  i  o  n

JOB INFORMATION

Effective Date:

5/28/2026

Entity:

Illinois

Job Code:

NI-2016AC

Job Title:

NI-Chaplain

FLSA Exemption Status:

Non-Exempt

JOB SUMMARY

The UW Health Chaplain offers spiritual care services to patients and families, using theological and clinical training to help patients and families cope more effectively. The chaplain communicates the patient's spiritual and emotional needs to the patient's interdisciplinary health care team as appropriate.  The Chaplain supports the patient/family as they integrate implications of the suggested medical treatment plan in the framework of their spiritual beliefs, and as they work through difficult issues/challenges that may arise during hospitalization.  The Chaplain also supports the interdisciplinary health care team.  Chaplains are responsible for providing patient/family-centered care at UW Health Swedish American Hospital, Women and Children's Hospital, Heart Hospital and UW Health Belvidere. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

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Chaplain Care: Visits hospitalized patients and their families addressing their personal and spiritual concerns. Aids in coping with the variety of difficulties that accompany hospitalization, sudden illness, surgery, traumatic injury, chronic disease and death, providing emotional and spiritual support and assistance with arrangements and contacts. Counsels’ hospital staff on personal and spiritual concerns. Performs sacerdotal functions (worship and sacraments) as requested.

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Provision of Plan of Care: The Chaplain sees patients who are thrust into potentially life-ending or limiting medical situations (Cardiac Arrest, RRT, ED etc.) who may be referred to as a part of the interdisciplinary team, at the patient’s/family request. The Chaplain performs a spiritual assessment of the patient’s situation and/or bio-psycho-social-spiritual/religious health. Collaboration and consultation with fellow Chaplains are fundamental aspects of the Chaplain’s duties as the Spiritual Care team collaborates in the provision of the patient’s plan of care.

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Documentation: The Chaplain documents information in the electronic medical record that is relevant to the patient’s medical, psycho-social and spiritual/religious goals. The documentation recognizes regulatory guidelines regarding confidentiality while providing the interdisciplinary team with information about relevant spiritual needs/concerns as well as emotional and relational dynamics, that impact the patient’s care and disposition.

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Teamwork and Collaboration: The Chaplain communicates with the interdisciplinary health care team and obtains pertinent information regarding the patient’s condition, family dynamics, and the health care teams’ understanding of the need for spiritual care. As a part of the interdisciplinary team, the Chaplain is alert for referral opportunities, demonstrates knowledge of the services represented on the team, and educates the team of spiritual care issues. The Chaplain supports the team members in their work with patients and families.

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Ethical Practice and Confidentiality: The Chaplain models clear boundaries for sexual, spiritual/religious, financial, and cultural issues. They chart what is appropriate for the care being provided.

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Respect for Diversity: The Chaplain models and collaborates with the organization and interdisciplinary teams in respecting and providing culturally competent patient-centered care.

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Care for the Organization: Patient and family care is the primary focus of spiritual care services. The Chaplain provides services to the organization consistent with the organization’s values, mission, and vision. The Chaplain serves as a model and an expert, engaging in activities that improve operational performance, and participates in committee work as assigned by the manager. The Chaplain also provides support to staff through supportive listening, conversation, and assisting with formal debriefings as appropriate. Chaplains support their colleagues and are available for the debrief during handoff. They are aware of resources that support employees such as the Employee Assistance program and other UW Health programming.

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Knowledge and Continuing Education: The Chaplain attends team meetings as established. The Chaplain incorporates new learning into practice, demonstrating continual growth and development. They develop knowledge of assigned areas and work within the scope of practice for those areas, developing skill sets and practice standards to meet the needs of the patients/families and health care team for their areas.

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Performs all aspects of job in an environment that optimizes patient, customer and environmental safety and in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and compliance efforts.

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Participation on UW Health committees as appointed.

As needed, additional responsibilities reasonably within the scope of duties and physical requirements may be assigned.  ALL DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS MUST BE PERFORMED CONSISTENT WITH THE UW HEALTH PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND RESPECT FOR PEOPLE COMMITTMENTS.

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Clinical

Will provide all patients age and culturally appropriate assessment/screening and interpretation of clinical and laboratory data. Develops and implements age appropriate interventional plans of care including education within the parameters of their position responsibilities and licensure

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Master’s degree in Theology, Divinity, Spirituality, Religious Studies, Pastoral Counseling, or a related field of ministry from a school accredited by a member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Required

Must complete one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE).

Required

Completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education in a hospital setting.

Preferred

No minimum experience required.

Required

5 years

Pastoral ministry in a church setting.

Preferred

3 years

Pastoral care as a chaplain in a hospital, hospice, or other care facility.

Preferred

Licensed or ordained chaplain, and in good standing with their faith tradition.

Required

Membership (or eligibility for membership in) the Association of Professional Chaplains or the National Association of Catholic Chaplains.

Preferred

APC Board Certification.

Preferred

LICENSE, CERTIFICATIONS, AND REGISTRATIONS MUST BE MAINTAINED PER UW HEALTH POLICY. 

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Familiar with computer software.

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Excellent organization and time management skills.

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Ability to be flexible and adaptable to situations as they arise.

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Possesses a positive attitude.

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Understanding of HIPAA and ability to assure confidentiality.

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Ability to document care in accordance with professional and regulatory guidelines.

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Knowledge of chaplain practice in a health care setting.

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Broad interfaith theological knowledge base and familiarity with the diversity of religious experience across cultures.

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Exceptional interpersonal relationships and community building.

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Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written.

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Knowledge of and ability to work within a complex health care system.

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Possesses an openness to learning.

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Demonstrated deep understanding of the theories and assessment tools that undergird and guide the provision

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of excellent spiritual care.

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Demonstrated understanding of how provision of spiritual care interfaces with contemporary health care delivery, especially as it relates to academic medical centers.

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Knowledge of change theory and ability to implement change strategies.

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Demonstrated consultative expertise specific to psychosocial, ethical, emotional, relational, and religious issues.

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Possesses knowledge specific to community resources and faith communities.

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Demonstrated high level of spiritual care clinical competency specific to assessment skills, counseling, navigating conflict and crisis issues, and provision of appropriate religious/spiritual interventions.

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Demonstrated ability to work within acceptable professional and community standards of practice for spiritual care.

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Ability to educate and supervise technical spiritual care competencies in others.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS

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Sedentary: Sedentary work involves lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and occasionally lifting or carrying articles like docket files, ledgers, and small tools. Although a sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met.

Up to 10 lbs.

Negligible Weight

No Weight

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Light: Light work involves lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds. Even though the weight lifted may be very little, a job is in this category when it requires a good deal of walking or standing, or when it involves sitting most of the time with some pushing and pulling of arm or leg controls. To be considered capable of performing a full or wide range of light work, you must have the ability to do substantially all of these activities. If someone can do light work, we determine that they can also do sedentary work, unless there are additional limiting factors such as loss of fine dexterity or inability to sit for long periods of time.

11-25 lbs.

1 - 10 lbs.

Negligible weight

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Medium: Medium work involves lifting no more than 50 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds. If someone can do medium work, we determine that they can also do sedentary and light work.

26-50 lbs.

11-25 lbs.

1 - 10 lbs.

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Heavy: Heavy work involves lifting no more than 100 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds. If someone can do heavy work, we determine that they can also do medium, light, and sedentary work.

51-100 lbs.

26-50 lbs.

11-25 lbs.

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Very Heavy: Very heavy work involves lifting objects weighing more than 100 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing 50 pounds or more. If someone can do very heavy work, we determine that they can also do heavy, medium, light, and sedentary work.

Over 100 lbs.

Over 50 lbs.

Over 25 lbs.

Other - list any other physical requirements or bona fide occupational qualifications not indicated above:

Over 50 lbs.

UW Health does not require, nor does it expect that its employees lift more than 50 lbs unassisted. Objects in excess of 50 lbs should be lifted or moved with mechanical means or through a team lift. Employees in patient care areas are expected to utilize mechanical lifts and adhere to the "Use of Mechanical Lifts (Liko)" policy in the Patient Services Policy and Procedure Manual.

Note: The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.

THE EMPLOYEE MUST BE ABLE TO COMPLETE ALL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB WITH OR WITHOUT AN APPROVED ACCOMODATION. Note: The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.