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Associate Chaplain Jobs in West Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Associate Chaplain information

See West Virginia salary details

$22.5K

$49.2K

$75.9K

How much do associate chaplain jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate chaplain in West Virginia is $49,227.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37,500.00 and $61,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate chaplain?

To thrive as an Associate Chaplain, you need a background in theology or divinity, experience in pastoral care, and often an ordination or endorsement from a faith community. Familiarity with electronic medical records, crisis intervention protocols, and spiritual assessment tools is typically required. Compassion, active listening, and cultural sensitivity are crucial soft skills for supporting individuals of diverse backgrounds during challenging times. These abilities ensure effective spiritual support and holistic care within healthcare or institutional settings.

Is there a high demand for associate chaplains?

The demand for associate chaplains varies by region and institution but generally remains steady due to ongoing needs in hospitals, military, and correctional facilities. Employment opportunities often depend on the size of the organization, available funding, and the ability to meet certification or educational requirements such as a master's degree in theology or related fields.

What is the difference between Associate Chaplain vs Chaplain?

AspectAssociate ChaplainChaplain
Required CredentialsTypically requires a master's degree in theology or divinity, and ordination or certificationSimilar credentials, often with additional experience or higher certification
Work EnvironmentHospitals, military, prisons, or educational institutionsHospitals, military, prisons, religious organizations, or community settings
Employer & Industry UsageOften employed in larger organizations supporting chaplaincy servicesWidely used across various institutions providing spiritual care

Both Associate Chaplains and Chaplains require similar educational backgrounds and certifications, and they often work in comparable environments. The main difference lies in experience level and responsibilities, with Associate Chaplains typically serving in supporting roles while Chaplains hold more senior or independent positions.

What is an associate chaplain?

Associate Chaplains are trained professionals who provide spiritual care, guidance, and support in settings such as hospitals, universities, prisons, or the military. They work alongside lead chaplains and other staff to address the spiritual and emotional needs of individuals from diverse backgrounds and faith traditions. Their duties often include counseling, leading worship services, facilitating spiritual discussions, and offering crisis intervention. Associate Chaplains help create a compassionate, inclusive environment for those facing difficult situations.

What are some common challenges faced by associate chaplains in supporting diverse spiritual needs within an institution?

Associate Chaplains often serve individuals from a variety of religious, spiritual, and cultural backgrounds. A common challenge is ensuring that each person's beliefs and practices are respected while providing appropriate support and resources. This requires strong listening skills, cultural competency, and flexibility in approach. Additionally, Associate Chaplains must navigate institutional policies and collaborate with other staff to create an inclusive environment for all faiths, which can be both rewarding and complex.
What are the most commonly searched types of Chaplain jobs in West Virginia? The most popular types of Chaplain jobs in West Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Associate Chaplain jobs in West Virginia? For Associate Chaplain jobs in West Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Associate Chaplain jobs in West Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Associate Chaplain jobs in West Virginia are:
Infographic showing various Associate Chaplain job openings in West Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $49,227 per year, or $23.7 per hour.

Associate Chaplain - PASTORAL CARE - Davis Medical Center

CAMC Health System

Elkins, WV • On-site

Per diem

Re-posted 22 days ago


Job description

Job Summary
Provides direct spiritual/pastoral/bereavement support to patients, families, staff and volunteers. Provides PRN coverage to improve the patient and family experience and satisfaction and to help people faced with illness and grief find comfort and meaning - whoever they are, whatever they believe, wherever they are. Reports to the Lead Chaplain/Pastoral Care Coordinator.
The Chaplain, as part of the health system's total patient care, provides or makes available spiritual, religious, and emotional resources for patients and their families during the patient's hospitalization. Provides or arranges religious services and/or spiritual sacraments to meet the specific patient needs. Additionally provides spiritual and emotional support for employees, medical staff and the affiliates of the health system. Provides on-call coverage as assigned.
Responsibilities
Provides PRN pastoral care support and emergency on-call services as needed.Responds to the spiritual care needs of patients, family members, staff and volunteers.Demonstrates competency in performing spiritual care needs assessment and completes documentation according to hospital policy and procedures.Serves as clinical pastoral care resource to staff, volunteers, and community faith leaders.Advanced interpersonal skills required to communicate with and comfort patients, families, staff and volunteers.Follows established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, supports quality assessment and performance improvement processes, adheres to safety, environmental and infection control standards.Demonstrates a high level of social sensitivity and confidentiality when communicating with patients, families, staff and volunteers.Maintains established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, supports quality assessment and performance improvement processes, adheres to safety, environmental and infection control standards.Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, current literature, in-service meetings, and workshops.Attends meetings as required.Performs other duties as assigned.
• Makes spiritual care visits to patients, their families, and hospital staff to enable them to utilize, discover, or develop their spiritual resources in times of crisis.
• Receives referrals from clinical team and takes appropriate action according to urgency of situation.
• Administers religious sacraments as requested, or arranges provision of such by other clergy, as requested by patients/families.
• Interacts consistently in a warm manner that effectively invites others into pastoral relationships.
• Documents spiritual care appropriately in the patient record.
• Maintains consistent accountability for spiritual care activities with the Coordinator of Pastoral and Spiritual Care.
• Initiates personal and professional development related to spiritual care functioning and responsibilities including quarterly training sessions within the department.
• Proactively ensures that the Supervisor is notified of potential situations.
• Adjusts communication timeliness according to urgency.
• Uses appropriate communication vehicle (i.e. verbal, memo, email).
• Completes all required competency assessments on time.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Experience working with patients and families in a healthcare setting.One year experience as a chaplain (paid or volunteer) in a healthcare setting.Excellent human relations and oral/written communication skillsAbility to maintain strict confidentialityAbility to conduct meetings and make presentationsAbility to work independently
Ability to use office technology systems, positive communication and customer satisfaction skills, ability to utilize system processes for spiritual care and to adjust to change. Has healthy coping skills to deal with the constant stress of the position.
Ordination and/or current denominational endorsement. At least one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) in an accredited hospital. Professional experience preferred. Effective communication with persons of diverse religious, cultural, and racial backgrounds. Functional knowledge of, and respect for, religious principles and practices of the major faith groups and individual denominational preferences.
Light Work: Frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 lbs. with a maximum lifting of 25 lbs.
Education
• Master's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree (Required)
Credentials
• National Association of Professional Chaplains
• National Association of Professional Chaplains
Work Schedule: Days
Status: 40 hrs per pay
Location: Davis Medical Center
Location of Job: WV:Elkins:Davis Medical Center
Talent Acquisition Specialist: Mystee D. Carter mystee.carter@vandaliahealth.org