Chaplain

Clark is a leading senior living community in Grand Rapids, Michigan offering a range of living options and services including assisted living, independent living, memory and dementia care, skilled nursing and respite care. Clark’s residences, amenities, extensive social calendar, filled with life-enriching activities and outings, make our vibrant communities a sought-after place for senior living.

A Legacy of Care and Compassion in West Michigan

Clark was founded in 1906 through a generous donation by Melvin and Emily Clark who wanted to provide a permanent residence to retired Methodist ministers. Over the years we've grown and evolved while continuing to deliver excellent living options, compassionate care and meaningful opportunities to our residents.

Today, Clark is an ecumenical community, welcoming people from all walks of life and faith backgrounds. We are a nonprofit Life Plan Community and we are committed to enriching the lives of our residents.

Our Mission

To create communities of dignity, compassion and respect centered on the lives of older adults and those who care for them.

The Chaplain is a member of the resident life and health care team and, in keeping with the facility's policies and procedures, makes available pastoral services to all residents and employees of the entire facility. The Chaplain helps the residents come to a fuller understanding of life's events as they relate to spiritual and emotional well being.

This is a part time position working about 16 hours per week.

Chaplain Duties and Responsibilities

• Facilitates religious services or sacraments for residents and their families through appropriate faith group ministries, and facilitates creative and interfaith worship services.
• Assists with special service for religious days as mutually agreed upon by the chaplain, Director of Life Enrichment & Dementia Services, and the Spiritual Life Committee.
• Provides spiritual counseling and visitation services to all residents, while arranging time for those in greatest need, including those who request such services directly or through a referral from the Interdisciplinary Team.
• Welcomes new residents to the community. The chaplain shall make an initial visit to establish a relationship and make an assessment of the spiritual needs of a resident upon admission.
• At the request of the community, coordinates and performs memorial services for residents with no families, performs memorial services for residents or representatives who have requested such services, and may attend other funerals, viewings, or memorials as a representative of the facility. May receive an honorarium as the discretion of those requesting services.
• Available to help the families of deceased residents and employees, with appropriate guidance.
• Shall meet with the resident Spiritual Life committee and/or the chairperson of that committee on a regular basis.
• Responsible for providing for residents’ spiritual needs on an “as needed” basis, including study and/or support groups.
• Available as a resource for the resident and the treatment team on ethical issues.
• Through his or her daily ministry, carries out the goals of the facility as they relate to pastoral care.
• Offers in-service programs for staff, families, and residents if requested.
• Collaborates with other health care providers, including contracted spiritual care providers, to meet the spiritual and religious needs of all Clark residents.
• Participates on committees and in conferences with residents to enhance the continuity of their care. Participates in Stand-Up Meetings once per week per level of care.
• Encourages a variety of different denominations to interact with the Clark Community.
• In the performance of assigned duties, interacts with residents in a cheerful/positive manner and shall be respectful of resident’s belongings.
• Teamwork and participation: maintains an effective relationship with all departments and professional staff; and participates on facility committees as assigned.

Requirements

The chaplain shall possess the following:

• Ordained Protestant minister, preferably Methodist.
• Ability and stamina to minister to residents with varying physical and mental abilities.
• Evidence of excellent time management and communication skills.
• Comfort and skill in ministering to persons of different faith/denominational traditions.
• Minimum of two years in professional ministry
• Effective speaker in delivering sermons to meet the spiritual needs of Clark residents.
• Ample soft skills and the ability to develop positive rapport with a variety of individuals.