At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

The Manager Spiritual Care reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The Manager of Spiritual Care reflects the Spiritual Care and Education Mission Statement of Northwestern Medicine: “Inspired by the presence of the Sacred in all of its manifestations; we provide patients, families, staff and our communities with support, compassion, and counsel. We nurture religious, spiritual and emotional well-being through healing of the body, mind, and spirit.”

The Manager of Spiritual Care provides leadership, direction, expertise, education, consultation and resources in the areas of spiritual well-being and health, clinical spiritual care, spiritual development, advance directives and ethics.  Interacts regularly with all levels of the organization including patients and visitors, clinical and non-clinical staff, physicians, leadership, volunteers and community clergy.  Directly supervises hospital chaplains.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborates with NM leadership, though appropriate reporting structures, regarding areas of responsibility.  Develops goals, objectives, and programs that are aligned with the strategic plan, organizational goals and initiatives.
• Demonstrates flexible leadership in adapting to organizational needs and changes for delivering Spiritual Care and Education within Northwestern Medicine. Implements established Northwestern Medicine policies, procedures and standards of care.
• Participates in hospital programs and activities. Serves on committees, task forces, and initiatives as assigned. Communicates with interdisciplinary leaders on a regular and timely basis.

Administration and Management Description

• Develops and implements a continuous quality improvement plan designed to monitor and improve performance.
• Promotes positive employee relations through coaching and feedback regarding work performance on a regular basis.  Seeks input from administration, leadership teams, and clinical staff to ensure comprehensive feedback.
• Monitors, evaluates and counsels department staff and volunteers performance consistently between formal performance evaluations.
• Plans, monitors and manages the financial operation areas of responsibility.  Ensures that payroll and accounts payable invoices are reviewed, approved, coded, and processed on a timely basis.
• Prepares and monitors operating budget designed to meet departmental and organizational strategies and goals. Able to explain variances. 
• Recommends and implements new initiatives and improvements to existing programs and services.
• Engages in continuing professional education and development programs.
• Develops thoughtful change leadership for needs of departments including staffing, scheduling, program management, growth, or role definition changes.
• Facilitates growth and development of staff, including opportunities to learn new skills and advance boht personally and professionally; ensures staff completion of required competencies and review of key policies and procedures. 
• Orders and maintains supply inventory as appropriate. 
• Manage deparment schedule ensuring appropriate coverage. 

Patient Care Description

• Provides spiritual care to patients and families through direct visitation and through consultation with staff caring for patients. Provides spiritual crisis intervention as needed.
• Conducts spiritual assessments and provides evidence-based interventions. Provides spiritual care for patients and documents all patient encounters in the medical record.
• Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings as needed. Advocates for patient, family, and visitor needs to interdisciplinary team members.
• Partners in decision making related to Advance Directives and Medical Ethics through identification and clarification of ethical concerns.  Provides consultation on ethical issues for staff, the Ethics committee and hospital leadership.

Staff Care Description

• Provides spiritual care to staff including one on one support, as well as group debriefings, and educational events.
• Provides spiritual enhancement of staff through short-term crisis intervention as well as blessings, rituals and seasonal celebrations.
• Supports educational opportunities for staff on topics of spirituality and health, resilience, and spiritual well-being.   
• Serves as resource to staff regarding religious and spiritual issues and perspectives related to clinical issues and decisions.

Community Clergy Description

• Maintains professional relationships with community clergy, judicatories, seminaries, and faith group representatives.
• Provides educational opportunities for the community on topics of spirituality and health as well as ethics and Advance Directives
• Supports area religious leaders with referrals, information, education, counseling, and consultation with patient/family permission in compliance with HIPPA regulations.

Required

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Masters level degree in Theology/Divinity or a related field.
• Certified or certification eligible and working toward certification as a Board-Certified Chaplain in the Association of Professional Chaplains, the National Association of Catholic Chaplains, the National Association of Jewish Chaplains, or a parallel cognate group in the area of spiritual care or pastoral counseling.
• 2+ years of leadership experience 
• 2-4 CPEs
• 2+ years of chaplaincy or 5+ years of ministry experience 

Preferred

• Doctorate level degree in Theology/Ministry or related field.
• Board Certified Chaplain 

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check.  Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. 

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.

Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position): Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.