I. General Summary

University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center is a faith based, Roman Catholic hospital, founded in the Franciscan tradition. The Department of Spiritual Care serves the spiritual, religious and emotional needs of patients, families and employees, providing proactive pastoral care and leadership to assigned areas within the Medical Center.

II. Principal Responsibilities and Tasks

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by those assigned to this classification. This is not an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the Department of Spiritual Care.

• Provides pastoral care to patients, families, and employees of the Medical Center in accordance with departmental procedures and accepted pastoral practices.
  • Proactively provides pastoral care to patients, families/friends and staff. Responds to referrals for pastoral care to patients, families and/or staff by pagers, intake/triage power chart assessment, phone, and verbal referrals.
  • Actively participates in responsibility for shared duties, including on call coverage as needed.
  • Documents pastoral interventions according to established departmental and Medical Center policies and procedures.
  • Provides proactive pastoral care on assigned units and throughout hospital as needed.
• Facilitates worship, special events services and administers the Sacraments as needed.
• Leads therapeutic and other health-related groups as needed.
• Serves as an advisor on religious affairs to the Medical Center.
  • Serves on committees as assigned by the Director of Spiritual Care.
  • Participates in the programs of professional organizations and clinical conferences.
  • Facilitates biomedical ethical decision-making/consultation.
  • May serve as advisor on appropriate religious matters of concern to one's specific faith group.
• Consults with professional staff members on patient needs and problems including recommending referrals to outside resources for follow-up care in accordance with departmental procedures.
• Provides leadership/training opportunities consistent within the area of specialty or training and experience, including facilitating training to seminarians as assigned by the Director of Spiritual Care.
• Observes established Medical System policies, procedures, objectives, safety, environmental and infection control standards.