Manager- Spiritual Care - Full Time

Find your calling at Mercy!

The manager is responsible for both strategic leadership of and effective management of the day-to-day operations of the Spiritual Care Department, which serves a geographic area that includes hospital(s) and Mercy clinic locations and will also provide direct spiritual care as a chaplain. Manager will be capable of providing and supervising the use of technology for spiritual care. Manager works in matrix environment (with direct supervisors in mission and Spiritual Care). Manager contributes to ministry-wide vision, standards, and strategic goals for Spiritual Care and implements these locally.

Performs duties and responsibilities in a manner consistent with our mission, values/charism, and Mercy Service Standards.

Position Details:

Manager, Spiritual Care Services

The Manager of Spiritual Care Services provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Spiritual Care Department across a designated Mercy service area, including hospitals and clinic locations. This leader is responsible for advancing Mercy's spiritual care mission, ensuring high-quality pastoral services, supporting chaplain staff, and fostering meaningful relationships within both the healthcare and faith communities.

In addition to leadership responsibilities, the Manager serves as a practicing chaplain, providing direct spiritual care to patients, families, and coworkers while ensuring the effective use of technology and innovative practices to support spiritual care delivery.

Working within a matrixed leadership environment, this position collaborates closely with Mission leadership, Spiritual Care leadership, and local operational leaders to implement ministry-wide initiatives and achieve strategic goals.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Partner with ministry leaders to develop and implement strategic goals for Spiritual Care.
• Create and execute annual departmental plans aligned with Mercy's mission and organizational objectives.
• Assess spiritual care needs across hospitals, rural facilities, specialty locations, and clinics to ensure effective allocation of resources.
• Identify opportunities for Spiritual Care to support organizational priorities and strategic initiatives.
• Participate in leadership councils, committees, professional organizations, and special projects.
• Promote the value of spiritual care as an essential expression of Mercy's ministry and Catholic heritage.
• Lead and contribute to system-wide Spiritual Care initiatives and workgroups.

Department Operations

• Oversee the daily operations of the Spiritual Care Department.
• Manage departmental budgets, staffing plans, schedules, and resource utilization.
• Lead recruitment, onboarding, development, and performance management of chaplains, staff, and volunteers.
• Conduct performance evaluations and partner with Human Resources on employee relations matters as needed.
• Ensure compliance with payroll, scheduling, departmental approvals, and operational processes.
• Coordinate coverage for spiritual care services and sacramental support, including Catholic patient needs.
• Facilitate staff meetings, communicate organizational updates, and foster team engagement.
• Maintain departmental policies, procedures, and regulatory compliance standards.
• Collaborate with Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) leaders to support student and resident placements.

Community and Ministry Partnerships

• Cultivate strong relationships with local clergy, faith communities, and community organizations.
• Maintain awareness of community-based spiritual and supportive resources available to patients and families.
• Serve as a liaison between Mercy and the faith communities within the region.

Quality Improvement & Innovation

• Support implementation of system-wide spiritual care standards and performance initiatives.
• Monitor, track, and report key departmental quality metrics.
• Promote continuous improvement, innovation, and adoption of new technologies and best practices.
• Share outcomes and performance data with leadership and department staff.

Direct Spiritual Care

• Provide compassionate spiritual and emotional support to patients, families, and coworkers.
• Serve as a working chaplain, dedicating up to 50% of work time to direct patient care, depending on departmental needs.
• Respond to complex spiritual care situations and assist chaplains with challenging cases as needed.

Professional Development

• Maintain continuing education requirements and progress toward or maintain board certification.
• Remain current on regulatory standards, healthcare trends, evidence-based spiritual care practices, and quality improvement methodologies.
• Uphold Mercy's mission, values, leadership competencies, and Ethical and Religious Directives.
• Perform all responsibilities in accordance with applicable safety, confidentiality, and professional standards.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Master's degree in Theology, Divinity, Ministry, Pastoral Care, or a related field.
• Completion of four units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE).

Experience

• Minimum of two (2) years of healthcare ministry or healthcare-related experience.
• Previous leadership or supervisory experience.

Certifications

• Eligible for and actively pursuing Board Certification as a Chaplain.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to effectively lead teams in a matrixed organizational structure.
• Experience facilitating groups, discussions, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, email, electronic medical records, and other technology platforms.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced healthcare environment.
• Commitment to Mercy's mission, values, and ministry.

Preferred Qualifications

Education & Certification

• Completion of ACPE or NACC-accredited Clinical Pastoral Education.
• Board Certified Chaplain (NACC, APC, or other recognized certifying organization).

Experience

• Five (5) or more years of healthcare ministry experience.
• One (1) or more years of leadership experience in a healthcare setting.
• Experience working with Clinical Pastoral Education programs.

Preferred Skills

• Specialized training in palliative care, oncology, critical incident stress management, disaster preparedness, LEAN methodologies, or leadership development.
• Demonstrated success leading organizational change and quality improvement initiatives.
• Knowledge of research and evidence-based practices related to spirituality and health outcomes.
• Bilingual skills and/or experience serving culturally diverse populations.

At Mercy, we believe healing encompasses body, mind, and spirit. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead a dedicated Spiritual Care team while advancing Mercy's mission of compassionate care and serving as a visible ministry leader throughout the organization.

Why Mercy?

From day one, Mercy offers outstanding benefits - including medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, tuition support, and matched retirement plans for team members working 32+ hours per pay period.

Join a caring, collaborative team where your voice matters. At Mercy, you'll help shape the future of healthcare through innovation, technology, and compassion. As we grow, you'll grow with us.