Associate Chaplain

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The Associate Chaplain reports to and collaborates with the Lead Chaplain in delivering compassionate pastoral care, worship services, and spiritual and emotional support to residents, their families, and employees. This role primarily focuses on pastoral care, visitation, and advance care planning for residents in Health Care and Assisted Living. The Associate Chaplain works closely with the life enrichment and clinical teams and maintains relationships with local congregations to help residents stay connected to their faith communities as needed.

• Ordained and in good standing within a recognized Christian denomination.
• Ability to work effectively from an ecumenical and interfaith perspective.
• Master of Divinity or equivalent theological master’s degree required.
• Minimum of five years of pastoral or clinical experience; experience in long‑term care or a CCRC strongly preferred.
• Board Certification by the Association of Professional Chaplains or equivalent credential preferred.
• Four units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) preferred. Basic computer proficiency.
• Demonstrated ability to interact sensitively and effectively with older adults with varying cognitive and physical abilities.
• Ability to collaborate successfully with interdisciplinary team members.
• Willingness to take direction from and partner closely with the Lead Chaplain.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Creative, positive, organized, patient, and energetic approach to ministry.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to offer a calm, compassionate presence.
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record required.

• Provide pastoral care, visitation, and emotional support to residents in Health Care and Assisted Living; support Independent Living residents when the Lead Chaplain is unavailable.
• Provide grief support for bereaved residents and advance care planning, when appropriate.
• Visit new Health Care and Assisted Living residents within one week of arrival.
• Prepare and lead chapel services, devotional programs, and special services under the direction of the Lead Chaplain; prepare bulletins and PowerPoint slides for assigned services.
• Communicate with local congregations during resident transitions such as hospitalization or requests for clergy support.
• Maintain regular quarterly contact with all Health Care and Assisted Living residents; provide sacraments as requested.
• Document all visits and interactions in the Chaplaincy Shared Drive and enter notes in the electronic medical record for Health Care residents.
• Share hospital visitation responsibilities and on‑call rotations with the Lead Chaplain.
• Respond to resident deaths by contacting families, offering condolences, documenting required information, and encouraging families to contact their faith leader for funeral arrangements; preside over memorial services when requested and scheduling allows.
• Participate in the Chaplain’s Advisory Committee.
• Represent Sunnyside at community churches and attend off‑campus memorial services when requested and schedule permitting.
• Attend Sunnyside events when invited to demonstrate support for residents and staff.
• Offer prayers and blessings for meetings or assemblies upon request.
• Complete a minimum of 25 hours of continuing education annually related to Chaplaincy or licensure/certification and maintain documentation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

This position operates in office spaces, worship areas, and resident activity rooms with typical lighting, temperature, air quality, and noise levels. Special events may involve varying environmental conditions depending on season and location.

• Prolonged sitting and frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, and reaching.
• Ability to lift, push, or pull up to 25 lbs regularly and occasionally more than 30 lbs.
• Requires manual dexterity, clear hearing and vision, and the ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• General hazards associated with providing chaplaincy services in health care settings; minimal risk…