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Chaplain Associate
Company : Catholic Health Initiatives
Location : Council Bluffs, IA, 51503-3128
Job Type : Full Time / Part Time
Salary : 20.86-29.46 HOUR
Date Posted : 13 January 2026
Job Summary and Responsibilities
- Provides pastoral/spiritual care to patients, loved ones, and staff.
- Completes spiritual assessments and communicates with other care team members. Provides clinical documentation as required.
- Responds to and initiates routine and emergency referrals in a timely manner.
- Coordinates with the local religious community to ensure the patient’s/loved ones spiritual and/or sacramental needs are being met.
- Coordinates spiritual/pastoral ministry and bereavement care for those approaching end of life and at death.
- Provides blessing/ritual/prayer for pastoral support upon request.
- Educates and assists patients with respect to Advance Directives as needed.
Required:
-Pastoral ministry in an institutional setting.
-Ability to relate well with employees at all levels of the organization.
-Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
-Practices excellent active listening skills.
-Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality with sensitive information.
-Accepting and understanding of diverse religious beliefs and practices.
-Ability to deal with crisis situations and periodic exposure to secondary traumatic stress.
-Ability to function as a member of pastoral care and multidisciplinary healthcare teams.
-Proficiency of communication and information technology which includes basic computer and word processing skills, email, and use of the internet.
Preferred:
-Master’s degree or equivalency in theology, behavioral science, ministry or related field.
-One to three years of pastoral ministry or related experience under institutional supervision.
-Completion of one or more units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)
-Bilingual
At CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs, patients are at the heart of our care. Our campus is designed to heal the body, mind and spirit of every person in a more comfortable, less stressful hospital environment. Our full range of medical services include a new pavilion featuring enhancements in heart and vascular care, surgery, maternity, cancer care, and diagnostic imaging.
Council Bluffs, IA
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Frequently asked questions
Chaplain associates in Council Bluffs often encounter urgent spiritual crises requiring immediate pastoral intervention. They coordinate rapidly with healthcare teams to provide comfort, prayer, or rituals, ensuring patients and families receive timely emotional and spiritual support during critical moments.
Iowa hospitals prioritize chaplains skilled in active listening, crisis management, and cultural sensitivity. Experience in clinical pastoral education and the ability to work within interdisciplinary teams are highly valued for effectively addressing diverse spiritual needs.
While chaplains often lead comprehensive spiritual care programs, chaplain associates typically focus on supporting patients, families, and staff through routine visits, spiritual assessments, and documentation. Associates also assist with sacramental coordination and bereavement care under supervision.
Starting as a chaplain associate at Catholic Health Initiatives can open pathways to senior chaplain roles, specialized spiritual care certifications, or leadership positions within pastoral care departments, supported by continuous education and clinical ministry experience.
Yes, bilingual chaplain associates are increasingly sought after in Council Bluffs due to growing cultural diversity. Language skills enhance communication with non-English-speaking patients and families, enriching the spiritual care experience and fostering inclusivity.
Catholic Health Initiatives combines holistic care focused on body, mind, and spirit with access to a broad medical service range. Its emphasis on integrating local religious communities and advanced pastoral education sets it apart from typical healthcare chaplaincy roles.
The Council Bluffs area experiences moderate competition for chaplain roles. Hospitals like CHI Health Mercy value candidates with clinical pastoral education and institutional experience, making specialized qualifications a key differentiator in the local job market.
Chaplain associates in Council Bluffs typically earn between $45,000 and $60,000 annually, influenced by education level, clinical experience, and certifications. Benefits and opportunities for advancement often complement this competitive compensation.
Catholic Health Initiatives offers chaplain associates access to counseling resources, peer support groups, and training on handling secondary traumatic stress, fostering resilience and well-being while addressing complex spiritual and emotional patient needs.
The chaplain associate role at Catholic Health Initiatives emphasizes collaboration within multidisciplinary teams, advanced use of clinical documentation, and integration with local religious communities, providing a distinct blend of clinical and pastoral responsibilities.