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Be part of an exceptional health care experience. Join the inspired, passionate team at Lehigh Valley Health Network, a nationally recognized, forward-thinking organization offering plenty of opportunity to do great work.
LVHN has been ranked among the "Best Hospitals" by U.S. News & World Report for 23 consecutive years. We're a Magnet(tm) Hospital, having been honored five times with the American Nurses Credentialing Center's prestigious distinction for nursing excellence and quality patient outcomes in our Lehigh Valley region. Finally, Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest, Lehigh Valley Hospital - Muhlenberg, Lehigh Valley Hospital- Hazleton, and Lehigh Valley Hospital - Pocono each received an 'A' grade on the Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group in 2020, the highest grade in patient safety. These recognitions highlight LVHN's commitment to teamwork, compassion, and technology with an unrelenting focus on delivering the best health care possible every day.
Whether you're considering your next career move or your first, you should consider Lehigh Valley Health Network.
ASSOCIATE CHAPLAIN - WEEKENDS PART TIME
Position offers variable shifts including days, eves or nights
Summary
Provides pastoral care through routine and/or referral visitation and crisis and bereavement care during times of deaths, codes, and other emergencies. Ensures that spiritual care and assessment is provided through appropriate intervention and referral of patients, families, significant others, and staff.Job Duties
- Provides consultation to patients, families, and medical staff with ethical decision making and values while making appropriate referrals as needed.
- Ministers to families of residents at critical times during the residents’ life, and participates in the planning of funeral or memorial services.
- Assists in the planning, organizing, evaluating, and implementing of spiritual education programs.
- Conducts monthly meetings to provide for education, professional and personal development, and team building.
- Provides pastoral care and support with a focus on positive outcomes for the patient and for promoting and contributing to patient-satisfaction.
- Serves as a training resource to students, veteran staff, and pastoral peers.
- Participates in service recovery and supports meetings for the pastoral/spiritual care and department staff.
Minimum Qualifications
- Associate’s Degree
- 3 years hospital ministry and congregational experience
- 1 year of faith group ministry or hospital ministry
- Basic understanding of health care organizations and procedures.
- Familiarity with religious beliefs and practices of various faiths, groups, and denominations.
- High level of biblical knowledge.
- Understanding of the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Preferred Qualifications
- 1 Unit of Clinical Pastoral Education
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Master’s Degree Pastoral Education, Theology and/or Religious Studies
Physical Demands
Lift and carry 40-50 lbs. Examples: Push/pull patients on bed, stretcher (requires 29 lbs. push force), lateral transfers up to 50 lbs. of the patient's weight. Frequent to continuous standing/walking. Patient transporters can walk 8-10 miles per shift. *Patient care providers may be required to perform activities specific to their role including kneeling, bending, squatting and performing CPR.
Job Description Disclaimer: This position description provides the major duties/responsibilities, requirements and working conditions for the position. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current position, however management reserves the right to revise or change as necessary to meet organizational needs. Other responsibilities may be assigned when circumstances require.
Lehigh Valley Health Network is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with, and where applicable, in addition to federal, state and local employment regulations, Lehigh Valley Health Network will provide employment opportunities to all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or other such protected classes as may be defined by law. All personnel actions and programs will adhere to this policy. Personnel actions and programs include, but are not limited to recruitment, selection, hiring, transfers, promotions, terminations, compensation, benefits, educational programs and/or social activities.
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Lehigh Valley Health Network does not accept unsolicited agency resumes. Agencies should not forward resumes to our job aliases, our employees or any other organization location. Lehigh Valley Health Network is not responsible for any agency fees related to unsolicited resumes.
Freqently Asked Questions
Holding advanced pastoral education such as Clinical Pastoral Education units, a master's in theology, or religious studies can enhance a chaplain's ability to navigate complex spiritual needs within hospitals. These credentials provide deeper understanding of diverse faiths and improve crisis intervention skills essential in healthcare chaplaincy.
Associate chaplains offer emotional and spiritual guidance during emergencies or end-of-life situations by providing compassionate presence, facilitating ethical conversations, and assisting with memorial planning. Their role often includes crisis visitation and offering comfort, which contributes positively to patient and family satisfaction.
Chaplaincy in hospitals demands sensitivity to a spectrum of religious beliefs and practices. Challenges include tailoring spiritual care without bias, managing conflicting values, and ensuring inclusive support. Familiarity with multiple faith traditions and ethical decision-making frameworks is crucial to overcome these complexities.
Mertztown and nearby Lehigh Valley show consistent need for healthcare chaplains due to several top-tier hospitals. Demand fluctuates with healthcare expansions and community demographics, favoring candidates with clinical pastoral experience and local certification awareness, indicating a competitive but stable job market.
Applicants should evaluate travel times given Mertztown's rural-suburban mix, considering peak traffic hours toward Lehigh Valley health facilities. Availability of public transit is limited, so reliable vehicle access is often necessary. Proximity to major highways can affect punctuality and shift flexibility.
At Allen Ear Nose & Throat, associate chaplains integrate specialized patient needs with holistic spiritual assessments, often collaborating closely with medical teams in a technologically advanced setting. Their weekend and variable shift duties require adaptability and focus on high patient-satisfaction outcomes unique to this healthcare network.
The organization's emphasis on compassion, teamwork, and innovative healthcare delivery shapes chaplain duties toward proactive patient and staff support. Chaplains engage in ongoing education, ethical consultations, and crisis interventions aligned with Allen Ear Nose & Throat's commitment to exceptional, patient-centered care.
Associate Chaplains in Mertztown typically earn between $45,000 and $60,000 annually, reflecting regional healthcare compensation levels. Factors influencing pay include experience, education, and shift variability. This range aligns with chaplaincy roles in similar-sized health networks within Pennsylvania.
Chaplains uniquely combine theological knowledge with practical crisis management, ethical consulting, and interfaith understanding. Their role requires adaptability to hospital protocols, emotional resilience, and proficiency in facilitating spiritual education programs, setting them apart from purely congregational or military chaplaincy.
Chaplaincy roles in Mertztown must address a varied faith landscape, demanding inclusive spiritual care tailored to local cultural and religious demographics. Healthcare chaplains contribute by bridging clinical and spiritual support, ensuring that diverse patient populations receive compassionate, respectful care.
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