Chaplain Associate

Job Description

About Us
The Diocese of Pueblo is an energetic place of employment filled with strong Catholic faith. We are building the body of Christ through each of our ministries. We empower our team to work spiritually and at their best. If you are a self-motivated individual and interested in growing spirituality and using your talent and experience, come join our team!

What you will be doing
Provides spiritual, emotional, and relational care to patients, their family members and organizational staff.

Could this opportunity be right for you?
Continue reading for the full job description.

Essential Duties:
• Performs spiritual visitation, public worship services and outreach services.
• Assesses and responds to the spiritual, emotional, and cultural needs of those counseled, including crisis intervention, ethical concerns, and bereavement.
• Participates in an interdisciplinary approach to spiritual care and patient health.
• Documents visits and interventions appropriately according to the standards of the healthcare organization.
• Administers sacraments to the sick, reconciliation, confession, baptism for the religious needs of Catholic patients.
• Assists the Spiritual Care Department in providing spiritual care for Catholic and non-Catholic patients.
• Offers patients the opportunity to receive Communion with the assistance of eucharistic ministers.
• Plans and conducts liturgical celebrations for Catholic population in the hospital.
• Assists patients and families during times of crisis, including prolonged and terminal illness, death, times of fear, depression, or loneliness.
• Offers support to hospital staff as needed.
• Understands and complies with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services.
• Demonstrates honesty in all relationships.
• Works well in stressful environment.
• Provides good oral and written communications, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Understands Hospital and department policies and procedures.

Minimum Required Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree (Master's preferred) in theology or spiritual education from an accredited university.
• Satisfactory completion of at least 1 unit of Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) training, 4 units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) preferred.
• Minimum Experience: Relevant spiritual care experience (health care spiritual care experience preferred).
• Ability to work with all faith traditions.
• Safe environment certification training.
• Approval of Catholic Bishop of Diocese of Pueblo and the Chancellor.
• Ordained Roman Catholic priest in good standing.
• (For extern or religious priests) Endorsement from appropriate ecclesiastical authority.
o Possession of current R-1 Religious Worker Visa preferred.

Department: Chaplaincy Services

Reports To: Director of Spiritual Care

Skills and Abilities: Within scope of job, requires critical thinking skills, decisive judgment, and the ability to work with minimal supervision. Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and take appropriate action.

Remuneration: Salary, car allowance, and food allowance is commensurate in accordance with diocesan pay structure for priests.

Additional Remuneration: Will be provided by the Diocese of Pueblo depending on the priest's availability for parish supply ministry. Details will be negotiated by priest applicant and the diocesan Vicar for Clergy.

Other Requirements:
• Must be a practicing Roman Catholic in good standing and in full communion with the Church.
• Must pass a criminal background investigation.
• Must have good driving record, current Colorado Driver's License, and automobile insurance.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Employment in and by the Church is substantially different from secular employment. Church employees must conduct themselves in a manner consistent with and supportive of the mission of the Church. It is expected that all employees respect Roman Catholic doctrine and religious practices. In some cases, reasonable accommodations for the religious practices of employees who are not Roman Catholic may be provided however, some positions will require that the incumbent be an active Roman Catholic in good standing and in full communion with the Church.

Applications for this position will be accepted until December 16, 2024.

About the Employer

Diocese of Pueblo Mission Statement:
Catholics of Southern Colorado: Missionary Disciples of Jesus Christ, evangelizing a diversity of cultures by proclaiming the Gospel, celebrating the Sacraments, and promoting Justice & Charity, in service to the people entrusted to our care.