Chaplain

Preamble:

As a faith based organization Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio believes that whole person care addresses physical, emotional, and spiritual care of residents and clients served. The Chaplain participates in both the care of individuals, as well as partnering with leadership to attend to the health and wellbeing of individual campuses and the organization.

Purpose of this Position:

The Chaplain provides spiritual, religious, and pastoral counseling or guidance to residents, family members, and employees in accordance with Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio mission, policies and procedures, resident rights and responsibilities, and professional standards.

Job Functions:

Every effort has been made to make this job description as complete as possible. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties a Chaplain will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment. In emergency or critical situations extraordinary duties may be required.

Requirements:

• • Master of Divinity or equivalent degree from an accredited institution (preferred).
  • Minimum of two years experience in pastoral ministry, including professional chaplaincy training (preferred).
  • Current valid ordination or licensing of a major faith group.
  • Certification by a national professional care organization (preferred).
  • Respect for and familiarity with a wide range of religious perspectives, including Christian traditions, world religions, and ability to engage with people who claim no particular faith tradition. Respect for diverse opinions, beliefs, and life experiences.
  • Relate to all residents and staff as a non-anxious presence and without judgement.
  • Positive service-oriented interpersonal and communication skills and conflict resolution skills required.
  • Individual must be able to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess information reflective of the resident’s intellectual, physical, emotional and cognitive status. As well as interpreting the appropriate information needed to identify resources relative to the residents’ needs and collaborate with an inter-disciplinary team in developing a comprehensive plans of care.
  • This position is classified “at risk” for possible exposure to communicable diseases. Chaplain must be able and willing to follow MHCO protocols related to infection control.
  • Letter of recommendation from denominational overseer (Conference Minister, Bishop, District Superintendent, Regional Minister, denominational Chaplaincy director, etc.)

Language Skills:

Ability to read and interpret professional texts related to spiritual and community care of elders, and other related topics. Ability to prepare sermons, reports, and business correspondence. Ability to effectively preach and respond to religious and theological questions from residents and employees.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to resolve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables, as well as competing claims posed by resident, family, staff and organizational interests and responsibilities. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

• Develop resident-oriented services to create as homelike and personal service as possible.
• Plan, develop, coordinate and conduct regular scheduled services for residents, family members, including chapel services, prayer groups, prayer groups, scripture studies, and topical interest groups.
• Provide counseling and guidance to residents, family members, staff and others as necessary.
• Act as liaison between staff and resident’s family/friends during periods of life adjustment, crisis, bereavement, and other life changes.
• Plan and maintain a visitation program for newly admitted residents.
• Provide and participate in counseling, discussion groups, care plan meetings, and other interdisciplinary and resident/family meetings as needed.
• Assist residents that are at end-of-life to meet their needs, carry out their desires, and preserve their dignity through empathy, understanding, cooperation, and creative problem-solving.
• Maintain confidentiality of resident care information to assure that resident rights and protected health information is protected.
• Maintain excellent working relationships with healthcare professionals, area clergy, and local service agencies.
• Assess the spiritual care needs within MHCO facilities and assume responsibility for directing and coordinating religious services, programs and activities; including oversight of volunteer program leaders
• From time to time represent MHCO in local community/civic projects.
• Direct supervisory responsibilities for the part-time Fellowship Chaplain position, including, but not limited to oversight of visitation schedule, scheduling needed assistance for various programs, processing payroll, and any HR tasks that may arise.

Master of Divinity or equivalent degree from an accredited institution (preferred).

• Minimum of two years experience in pastoral ministry, including professional chaplaincy training (preferred).

• Current valid ordination or licensing of a major faith group.

• Certification by a national professional care organization (preferred).

• Respect for and familiarity with a wide range of religious perspectives, including Christian traditions, world religions, and ability to engage with people who claim no particular faith tradition. Respect for diverse opinions, beliefs, and life experiences.

• Relate to all residents and staff as a non-anxious presence and without judgement.

• Positive service-oriented interpersonal and communication skills and conflict resolution skills required.

• Individual must be able to demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess information reflective of the resident’s intellectual, physical, emotional and cognitive status. As well as interpreting the appropriate information needed to identify resources relative to the residents’ needs and collaborate with an inter-disciplinary team in developing a comprehensive plans of care.

• This position is classified “at risk” for possible exposure to communicable diseases. Chaplain must be able and willing to follow MHCO protocols related to infection control.

• Letter of recommendation from denominational overseer (Conference Minister, Bishop, District Superintendent, Regional Minister, denominational Chaplaincy director, etc.)

The Chaplain provides compassionate spiritual, emotional, and pastoral support to residents, families, and employees in alignment with the organization’s faith-based mission and commitment to whole-person care. Responsibilities include leading worship services and spiritual programs, offering counseling and guidance, supporting individuals through life transitions, grief, and end-of-life care, and coordinating spiritual care services across campuses. The Chaplain collaborates with interdisciplinary healthcare teams, families, community clergy, and local organizations to promote residents’ dignity, comfort, and overall well-being. This role also oversees spiritual care volunteers and supervises the part-time Fellowship Chaplain while fostering an inclusive, respectful, and supportive environment for people of diverse faith backgrounds and beliefs.