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Lead Chaplain Jobs (NOW HIRING)

City of Hope

Lead Chaplain

Irvine, CA

The Lead Chaplain delivers evidence-informed spiritual support to patients, families, and staff; collaborates with interdisciplinary care teams; and ensures that spiritual needs are identified and ...

City of Hope

Lead Chaplain

Irvine, CA

The Lead Chaplain delivers evidence-informed spiritual support to patients, families, and staff; collaborates with interdisciplinary care teams; and ensures that spiritual needs are identified and ...

Baptistjax

Chaplain Lead Job Duties: * Provide Pastoral Care and Counseling, religious resources, and support groups for patients, patients' families, hospital staff, and physicians * Function as an active ...

Covenant Living

Associate Chaplain

Grand Rapids, MI · On-site

$57K - $79K/yr

Acts as a key ministry partner with the Lead Chaplain under their supervision. Serves in a staff relationship to Administration and Department Directors. Establishes and maintains strong ties and ...

The Holmstad

Associate Chaplain

Westminster, CO

$69K - $95K/yr

Acts as a key ministry partner with the Lead Chaplain under their supervision. Serves in a staff relationship to Administration and Department Directors. Establishes and maintains strong ties and ...

Covenant Living

Associate Chaplain

Westminster, CO · On-site

$69K - $95K/yr

Acts as a key ministry partner with the Lead Chaplain under their supervision. Serves in a staff relationship to Administration and Department Directors. Establishes and maintains strong ties and ...

Baptistjax

Chaplain Lead Job Duties: * Provide Pastoral Care and Counseling, religious resources, and support groups for patients, patients' families, hospital staff, and physicians * Function as an active ...

Veterans Health Administration

Chaplain

Fort Meade, SD · On-site +1

$89K - $116K/yr

Uses sound guidance and advice to lead prayer and religious services. * Addresses the religious ... Provides chaplain service expertise to exchange information relative to the background and current ...

Ladgov Corporation

Chaplain

Florence, AZ · On-site

Overview The Local Facility Chaplain for Florence, AZ provides comprehensive religious support ... Lead worship services, religious education, and holiday observances for detainees. * Provide ...

Allegiant Hospice LLC

Chaplain

Milwaukee, WI · On-site

Coordinate and lead spiritual rituals, services, or prayer if requested. * Respect and honor ... Document all chaplain visits and services in the electronic medical record (EMR) per regulatory ...

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Lead Chaplain information

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$29K

$63.6K

$98K

How much do lead chaplain jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead chaplain in the United States is $63,587.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,500.00 and $80,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Lead Chaplain position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lead Chaplain, you need a strong background in pastoral care, counseling, and spiritual leadership, typically supported by theological education and ordination or endorsement from a recognized faith group. Familiarity with electronic record systems, ethics training, and accreditation such as Board Certification from national chaplaincy organizations is usually required. Exceptional interpersonal skills, crisis management abilities, and cultural sensitivity are key soft skills for success in this role. These competencies ensure compassionate, inclusive support for diverse individuals and effective leadership within multidisciplinary teams.

What is the highest rank a chaplain can get?

In military contexts, the highest rank a chaplain can attain is typically that of a colonel or captain, depending on the branch. In civilian or religious organizations, there may be no formal rank hierarchy, but senior positions such as senior chaplain or director of chaplain services represent leadership levels. Advancement often depends on experience, education, and organizational structure.

What is a Lead Chaplain job?

A Lead Chaplain is responsible for overseeing spiritual care services within an organization, such as a hospital, hospice, prison, or military unit. They provide emotional and spiritual support to individuals of diverse faiths, lead a team of chaplains, and coordinate religious programs. Their duties may include counseling, conducting worship services, and ensuring that spiritual care aligns with the needs of the community. Additionally, they may collaborate with healthcare providers, administrators, or other professionals to integrate pastoral care into overall support services.

What are the 4 pillars of chaplaincy?

The four pillars of chaplaincy typically include spiritual care, emotional support, ethical guidance, and advocacy. As a lead chaplain, professionals are trained to provide holistic support to individuals of diverse backgrounds, often requiring certification and strong interpersonal skills.

What does a typical day look like for a Lead Chaplain in a healthcare or institutional setting?

As a Lead Chaplain, your day often involves coordinating spiritual care services, providing direct support to individuals and families in times of crisis, and supervising a team of chaplains or spiritual care volunteers. You may attend interdisciplinary meetings, develop and lead educational programs, and ensure religious and cultural needs are respected throughout the facility. The role also includes documentation, administrative tasks, and collaborating closely with medical, nursing, and social work teams. This dynamic environment requires adaptability and the ability to respond compassionately to a wide range of emotional and spiritual needs.

What is the highest paying chaplain job?

The highest paying chaplain roles are often found in military, healthcare, and corporate settings, with military chaplains typically earning higher salaries due to rank and benefits. Senior positions such as Chief Chaplain or specialized roles in large organizations can also command higher compensation, especially with advanced certifications and experience.

What is a lead chaplain?

A lead chaplain is a senior spiritual care professional responsible for overseeing chaplaincy services within an organization, such as a hospital, military, or correctional facility. They coordinate spiritual support, supervise other chaplains, and often have certification in spiritual care or theology. The role requires strong interpersonal skills and knowledge of diverse faith traditions.
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Lead Chaplain jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lead Chaplain job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,587 per year, or $30.6 per hour.
Lead Chaplain

Lead Chaplain

City of Hope

Irvine, CA

Other

Posted 15 days ago

City Of Hope rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 87 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

17th of 873 rated healthcare providers

Job description

Join the transformative team at City of Hope, where we're changing lives and making a real difference in the fight against cancer, diabetes, and other life-threatening illnesses. City of Hope's growing national system includes its Los Angeles campus, a network of clinical care locations across Southern California, a new cancer center in Orange County, California, and treatment facilities in Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix. Our dedicated and compassionate employees are driven by a common mission: To deliver the cures of tomorrow to the people who need them today. 
Position Summary:

The Lead Chaplain delivers evidence-informed spiritual support to patients, families, and staff; collaborates with interdisciplinary care teams; and ensures that spiritual needs are identified and addressed across the continuum of care. In addition to clinical responsibilities, the Lead Chaplain is responsible for developing strong relationships with community and faith leaders, partnering in donor engagement efforts, and supporting the development and sustainability of a high-quality pastoral care volunteer program.

This position functions as both a frontline clinician and a program leader, strengthening the culture of compassionate, holistic care across the institution.

As a successful candidate, you will:

  • Provide direct spiritual and emotional support to oncology patients, families, and caregivers across inpatient and outpatient settings.
  • Conduct spiritual assessments, develop care plans, and document encounters in compliance with regulatory standards.
  • Participate in interdisciplinary rounds and collaborate with care teams to address spiritual distress, cultural needs, and end-of-life decision-making.
  • Respond to crises, critical events, and patient deaths with compassion and professionalism.
  • Support leadership of the Spiritual Care program, including policy implementation, regulatory compliance, and departmental operations.
  • Lead and develop the pastoral care volunteer program, including recruitment, training, supervision, and ongoing education.
  • Build meaningful relationships with community and faith leaders while supporting donor relations and philanthropic initiatives.
  • Provide administrative support including reporting, staff support, continuing education coordination, and performance input.
  • Maintain compliance with City of Hope policies, procedures, safety standards, and confidentiality requirements.
  • Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.

Your qualifications should include:

  • Master's degree in Divinity, Theology, Pastoral Studies, or related field.
  • Minimum of 4 years of spiritual care counseling experience in a hospital or hospice setting.
  • Experience supporting patients and families during crisis, trauma, grief, or end-of-life situations.
  • Experience collaborating with interdisciplinary healthcare teams.
  • Previous experience leading teams, programs, or projects.
  • Completion of 4 units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) from an ACPE-accredited program.

City of Hope employees pay is based on the following criteria: work experience, qualifications, and work location.

City of Hope is an equal opportunity employer.

To learn more about our Comprehensive Benefits, please CLICK HERE.

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About City of Hope

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

City of Hope is an independent biomedical research and treatment organization for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a leader in bone marrow transplantation and immunotherapy such as CAR T cell therapy. City of Hopes translational research and personalized treatment protocols advance care throughout the world. Human synthetic insulin, monoclonal antibodies and numerous breakthrough cancer drugs are based on technology developed at the institution. AccessHope, a subsidiary launched in 2019 serves employers and their health care partners by providing access to City of Hopes specialized cancer expertise. City of Hope is ranked among the nations Best Hospitals in cancer by U.S. News & World Report and received Magnet Recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Its main campus is located near Los Angeles, with additional locations throughout Southern California and in Arizona.

Industry

Hospitals

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Duarte, CA, US

Year founded

1913

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