Chaplain- Heritage and Spiritual Care

Originally founded in 1918, by the Jewish community of Toronto, Baycrest has an inspiring, more than 100-year, history of exceptional community service and a ceaseless devotion to serving those in need. We live our centuries-old Jewish heritage by honouring our elders with respect and compassion.

Baycrest’s Department of Heritage and Spiritual Care supports the emotional, spiritual, and religious needs of residents, patients, families, caregivers, and volunteers. This care respects all faiths, cultures, and beliefs, and is available to everyone, whether or not they identify as religious or spiritual. Our care is tailored to honour the individual’s personal beliefs and values. We are here to engage with individuals who benefit from spiritual or emotional support, are coping with grief, need help with religious practices or existential questions, and/or anything else they may be struggling with.

• Perform pastoral/spiritual care functions associated with beliefs and practices of religious faith or denomination in a respectful, meaningful manner that recognizes the Jewish identity of Baycrest with the needs of a diverse, multi-faith and heterogeneous ethnic geriatric population
• Provide one-on-one and group spiritual care to patients, residents, clients, families, caregivers, and volunteers
• Offer support during moments of crisis, grief, loss, end-of-life, or existential distress
• Participate in inter-professional team rounds as applicable and collaborates in holistic care planning
• Facilitate small group sessions as such as spiritual reflection groups, support circles, holiday-focused discussions, or interfaith dialogues
• Lead or support rituals, services, and holiday observances that reflect the diverse spiritual needs of the community
• Conduct spiritual care assessments and develop care plans that integrate spiritual and cultural needs
• Document encounters and assessments in electronic health records
• Provide education and support to staff and volunteers regarding spiritual care and cultural and religious sensitivity.
• Participate in on-call rotations and provide emergency spiritual care as needed

• Completion of a Bachelor of Arts degree program.
• Completion of a Master of Divinity (MDiv), Theology (MTh), Pastoral Studies (MPS), Hebrew Letters (MHL), or Master of Arts (MA) in Religion, Jewish Studies, or other appropriate degree obtained from a recognized program of religious studies.
• Ordination from recognized institution, academy, or seminary is a bonus.
• Four (4) units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) or Pastoral Counseling Education (PCE) certification or equivalent
• Must be CPE or PCE Certified Spiritual Care Practitioner (CSPS) or eligible for certification.
• Membership in good standing in the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC).
• Three (3) years related experience providing spiritual care and chaplaincy services.
• Registration in the Ontario College of Registered Psychotherapists (CRPO) or eligibility for registration.
• • Membership in Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC), Association of Professional Chaplains (APC), National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC) or Association of Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) an asset
• Previous experience in a non-profit organization, including a complex health care facility (Hospital and/or Long-Term Care facility) or leading a religious congregation is preferred
• Ability to distill complex information into clear, meaningful messages

• Vacation Entitlement
• Opportunity to enroll in the extended health and dental benefit plan
• Opportunity to enroll in the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)
• Access to 24/7 Employee Assistance Program

INTERNAL APPLICANTS: Current Baycrest employees must apply online through the Baycrest intranet. Applications submitted through the external careers website will only be considered after the internal application process. If you are a current employee and are unable to access the intranet, please contact Human Resources for assistance.