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Hospital Chaplain Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Provides spiritual counseling and support to patients, families, and staff in the hospital, Knight ... Chaplain Board Certification or working toward Chaplain Board Certification is preferred. Clinical ...

Hospital Chaplain Casual

Coon Rapids, MN · On-site

$31.07 - $42.59/hr

As a hospital chaplain, you will play a pivotal role in providing compassionate support and guidance to patients, families, and staff during some of life's most challenging moments. Key Position ...

Hospital Chaplain Casual

Anoka, MN · On-site

$31.07 - $42.59/hr

As a hospital chaplain, you will play a pivotal role in providing compassionate support and guidance to patients, families, and staff during some of life's most challenging moments. Key Position ...

$31.07 - $42.59/hr

As a hospital chaplain, you will play a pivotal role in providing compassionate support and guidance to patients, families, and staff during some of life's most challenging moments. Key Position ...

Position Summary The Hospital Chaplain provides and coordinates pastoral care and spiritual support to patients, families, staff, and visitors. As a vital member of the interdisciplinary health care ...

Description Position Summary The Hospital Chaplain provides and coordinates pastoral care and spiritual support to patients, families, staff, and visitors. As a vital member of the interdisciplinary ...

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Hospital Chaplain information

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$17

$31

$51

How much do hospital chaplain jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for hospital chaplain in the United States is $31.95, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.24 and $34.86 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are hospital chaplains and what do they do?

Hospital chaplains are spiritual care professionals who provide emotional, spiritual, and religious support to patients, their families, and hospital staff. They help people cope with illness, injury, trauma, or loss, regardless of faith background or beliefs. Chaplains may offer prayer, counseling, or simply a listening ear during difficult times. They also serve as a bridge between patients and their faith communities and may assist with rituals or sacraments if requested. Their goal is to promote holistic well-being and comfort within the healthcare setting.

How does a hospital chaplain support patients and staff during emotionally challenging situations?

Hospital chaplains play a crucial role in providing spiritual and emotional care to patients, families, and hospital staff, especially during times of crisis, grief, or uncertainty. They offer a listening ear, guidance, and comfort regardless of an individual's faith background, and are often called upon during end-of-life care, trauma, and major life transitions. In addition to patient care, chaplains collaborate closely with medical teams, social workers, and counselors to ensure holistic support, and may also facilitate staff debriefings or support groups to help healthcare professionals manage stress and compassion fatigue.

What do chaplains do at hospitals?

Hospital chaplains provide spiritual support, counseling, and emotional comfort to patients, families, and staff regardless of religious affiliation. They may conduct prayer, facilitate religious rituals, and assist with end-of-life issues, often working closely with healthcare teams to address patients' spiritual needs. Certification and sensitivity to diverse beliefs are important in this role.

What Is a Hospital Chaplain?

A hospital chaplain helps meet the spiritual needs of patients, families, and staff in a hospital setting. They minister to people of all faiths, offering a calm demeanor and attentive ear for concerns. As a hospital chaplain, your responsibilities and duties include providing spiritual support to patients facing surgery or dealing with illness or injuries, comforting grieving families, and sometimes counseling hospital staff. You also help patients and families with practical tasks, such as completing medical power-of-attorney documents and making funeral arrangements. Duties vary daily. Hospital chaplains often deal with delicate situations, so they are held to the highest standards of ethics and confidentiality.

What qualifications do you need to be a hospital chaplain?

To become a hospital chaplain, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree, often in theology, pastoral care, or a related field, along with clinical pastoral education (CPE) certification. Many employers prefer candidates with a master's degree in divinity or theology and relevant pastoral experience. Certification from professional organizations such as the Association of Professional Chaplains can also enhance job prospects.

What is the difference between Hospital Chaplain vs Hospital Social Worker?

AspectHospital ChaplainHospital Social Worker
CredentialsTypically requires a religious degree, ordination, or certification in spiritual careRequires a social work degree (BSW or MSW) and state licensure
Work EnvironmentProvides spiritual support in hospitals, hospice, and healthcare settingsAssists patients with emotional, social, and practical needs in healthcare settings
Employer & Industry UsageHospitals, hospices, religious organizationsHospitals, clinics, social service agencies
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared due to patient support roles and healthcare settings

Hospital chaplains focus on providing spiritual and religious support, often with religious credentials, while hospital social workers address emotional, social, and practical needs, requiring social work licensure. Both roles serve patients in healthcare environments but have different focuses and qualifications.

What qualifications do I need to be a chaplain?

To become a hospital chaplain, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree in theology, ministry, or a related field, along with clinical pastoral education (CPE) certification. Many employers prefer candidates with a master's degree in divinity or theology and relevant pastoral experience, as well as strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Where do chaplains get paid the most?

Chaplain hospital roles tend to have higher salaries in regions with a higher cost of living and larger healthcare facilities, such as major metropolitan areas. Salaries are also influenced by experience, certifications, and the type of healthcare institution, with hospital chaplains in urban or affluent areas generally earning more than those in rural settings.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Hospital Chaplain, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Hospital Chaplain, you need a strong background in theology or pastoral care, often supported by a master's degree in divinity or related field and certification from professional chaplaincy organizations. Familiarity with electronic medical record systems and hospital protocols is beneficial. Compassion, active listening, and cultural sensitivity are essential soft skills for providing emotional and spiritual support to patients, families, and staff. These skills enable chaplains to address diverse spiritual needs and contribute to holistic patient care in a healthcare setting.
What cities are hiring for Hospital Chaplain jobs? Cities with the most Hospital Chaplain job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Hospital Chaplain jobs? The most popular types of Hospital Chaplain jobs are:
What states have the most Hospital Chaplain jobs? States with the most job openings for Hospital Chaplain jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Hospital Chaplain jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Hospital Chaplain jobs are:
What are popular job titles related to Hospital Chaplain jobs? For Hospital Chaplain jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Hospital Chaplain job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 33% Locum Tenens, 1% As Needed, 57% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 1% Summer. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $66,452 per year, or $31.9 per hour.
Hospital Chaplain

Hospital Chaplain

Columbia Memorial Hospital

Astoria, OR • On-site

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 20 days ago


Columbia Memorial Hospital rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 20 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

534th of 1,020 rated hospitals


Job description

Provides spiritual counseling and support to patients, families, and staff in the hospital, Knight Cancer Center and Lower Columbia Hospice. Represent CMH with spiritual leaders in the community to provide seamless delivery of religious/spiritual support to all CMH patients, families and staff. Normal expectations require that the position will be available to provide hours on duty and on call hours that will meet the needs of patients, families and staff in the areas described above.

Job Requirements - Knowledge of/Skill/Ability to:
Must be able to provide spiritual counseling and guidance as well as demonstrate interpersonal and leadership skills to a range of people including different hospital specialties, personalities, cultures, religions etc. Ability to work independently with limited supervision. Must have excellent written and oral communication skills and computer capabilities including EMR. Ability to represent CMH in the local spiritual community.

License/Certification: Valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance.
Education and/or Experience: Master of Divinity degree or equivalent preferred; Ordained or commissioned Lutheran preferred; endorsed by Bishop of Oregon Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Church of America preferred; Chaplain Board Certification or working toward Chaplain Board Certification is preferred. Clinical Pastoral Education training and experience working in the medical field as a Pastor/Chaplain preferred.
Physical Demands and Work Environment Conditions / ADA Compliance
Position involves standing, walking, stooping, and occasional carrying and lifting of lightweight materials (up to 20 pounds). May be required to sit for extended periods of time. Requires visual acuity and depth perception to recognize words and numbers; and hand and finger dexterity and hand/eye coordination to use a computer keyboard and common office equipment. Must be able to travel throughout Clatsop county on a regular basis and on short notice. Will visit a variety of home and facility environments including emergency department. Some direct contact with patients with communicable diseases using accepted universal precautions.

About Us

Columbia Memorial Hospital (CMH) is located in the beautiful and historic town of Astoria, Oregon, where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean. At CMH, we are committed to providing person-centered care to our patients and Caregivers. We are a full-service, 25-bed, critical access, not-for-profit, Level IV trauma, Planetree Certified, hospital which includes a robust Medical Group.

As a Planetree Hospital, CMH has developed dynamic and focused efforts to involve the perspective of patients, family members and staff to increase person-centered care throughout our organization. We value compassionate, courteous and respectful interactions, patient and family involvement in care planning to include the patient’s goals and preferences, healing design of spaces, community health and a strategic plan that emphasizes person-centered care for the patient and caregiver alike.

Astoria and the Pacific Northwest has something for everyone to enjoy including living history, outdoor adventures, culinary experiences, beautiful scenery and so much more. To learn more about CMH and our amazing location, please visit:

www.columbiamemorial.org

www.travelastoria.com

www.planetree.org

Company Description

CMH is the fastest growing rural hospital in the state of Oregon. We are a full-service, not-for-profit, Level III Trauma and Critical Access Hospital located on the north coast of Oregon, and we are one of only five remaining independent hospitals in the state.
CMH is a hub for health care in the region. The main hospital includes private, in-patient suites for patients needing medical and surgical care, critical care, and labor and delivery. Our emergency department is centrally located to all needed services and is staffed by board-certified emergency medicine physicians. We have a state-of-the-art surgical program, full-service lab, advanced radiology services and more.
CMH offers many specialty services right here in our small town that you might otherwise need to travel to a larger metropolitan area for. We are able to provide this high-quality care through our unique academic/rural partnership with OHSU. CMH also continues to expand its reach and services through satellite clinics in Warrenton and Seaside, Oregon.

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