Chaplain - FT

The Cedars is looking for a full-time Chaplain to join our team!

Join our team and enjoy outstanding benefits!

At Bluestem Communities, we value our full-time team members and offer a benefits package designed to support both your personal and professional well-being. As a full-time employee you can enjoy the following benefits:

Health and insurance

• Health, dental and vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (medical & childcare available)
• AFLAC products
• Voluntary life insurance

Financial wellness

• 401(k) plan with company match
• Gradifi student loan payment program
• Payactiv: Early access to earned wages

Company-paid benefits

• Group term life and AD&D insurance
• Short-term disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Time off and perks

• Paid Time Off (PTO) andsix (6) paid holidays
• Bluestem Wellness Center membership
• Meal discounts at our dining locations

Our benefits are designed to help you thrive both personally and professionally. Explorethe full range of benefits and learn more about how Bluestem Communities can be the right fit for you—visit ourCareers page today!

Position Overview:

The Chaplain provides compassionate spiritual care and emotional support to residents, families, and staff in alignment with the Christian mission and values of Bluestem Communities. This role fosters an inclusive and respectful environment where individuals of all faith backgrounds feel valued, supported, and connected throughout all stages of aging and life transitions. The Chaplain serves as a spiritual leader, counselor, advocate, and collaborator by offering worship services, pastoral care, grief support, and opportunities for spiritual growth while promoting holistic well-being of body, mind, and spirit.

Essential Job Functions:

Spiritual Care & Resident Support

• Develop meaningful relationships with residents through regular visitation and compassionate presence.

• Provide spiritual and emotional support to residents in healthcare, assisted living, and independent living settings.
• Offer pastoral care during illness, grief, crisis, transition, and end-of-life situations.
• Facilitate respectful spiritual support for individuals of diverse faith traditions and spiritual backgrounds.
• Support residents and families during difficult conversations and care transitions.
• Maintain 24/7 on-call availability to respond to resident spiritual care needs, crises, and end-of-life situations as required.

Worship Services & Spiritual Programming

• Plan, coordinate, and lead regular worship services and special faith-based events.
• Facilitate Bible studies, prayer groups, devotional gatherings, and spiritual enrichment opportunities.
• Coordinate religious holiday services and community remembrance events.
• Recruit, schedule, and support volunteers assisting with worship, music, and visitation ministries.
• Encourage resident engagement in spiritual life programming.

Bereavement & Emotional Support

• Provide grief support and pastoral counseling for residents, families, and staff.
• Lead or coordinate funeral, memorial, and remembrance services as requested.
• Facilitate bereavement and caregiver support groups as needed.
• Maintain a calm, compassionate presence during emotionally challenging situations.

Collaboration & Community Engagement

• Help connect residents, families, staff, local pastors, and community faith organizations.
• Participate in interdisciplinary care planning and resident advocacy efforts.
• Collaborate with other Bluestem chaplains and leadership teams to support organizational goals.
• Participate in committees, including ethics and dementia care initiatives.
• Build relationships with community churches and faith leaders to strengthen partnerships.

Administrative & Professional Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate records and appropriate confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
• Attend leadership meetings and contribute to departmental planning and decision-making.
• Complete required training and maintain professional development.
• Follow organizational policies, safety procedures, and ethical standards.
• Perform additional duties assigned by leadership.

Qualifications

Qualifications and Experience:

• Must have a seminary degree or other graduate degree in the field of caring ministry
• Must hold ministerial credentials in good standing within a recognized ecclesiastical body
• Must have a minimum of one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education or three years of pastoral ministry.
• Must have ability to listen well and be an active listener.
• Must be able to offer a calm presence in different kinds of complex situations.
• Must have an understanding or working knowledge of anabaptism and/or familiarity with Mennonite and Church of the Brethren history, values, and theology.
• Must have agreement with Bluestem Communities’ mission and core values.
• Must have experience and ability to plan worship services in a Christian context and facilitate access and support for residents of other faith traditions.
• Must be able to demonstrate initiative and leadership ability.

Physical Requirements:

Light Work – Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently. Requires walking or standing to a significant degree; or requires sitting most of the time but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg controls.