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Senior Chaplain Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Under the clinical supervision of the Certified Educator/Associate Educator, or Student Educator CPE, this position is precepted and mentored by assigned Sr. Chaplain/Chaplain in the provision of ...

Under the clinical supervision of the Certified Educator/Associate Educator, or Student Educator CPE, this position is precepted and mentored by assigned Sr. Chaplain/Chaplain in the provision of ...

Under the clinical supervision of the Certified Educator/Associate Educator, or Student Educator CPE, this position is precepted and mentored by assigned Sr. Chaplain/Chaplain in the provision of ...

Under the clinical supervision of the Certified Educator/Associate Educator, or Student Educator CPE, this position is precepted and mentored by assigned Sr. Chaplain/Chaplain in the provision of ...

Under the clinical supervision of the Certified Educator/Associate Educator, or Student Educator CPE, this position is precepted and mentored by assigned Sr. Chaplain/Chaplain in the provision of ...

Under the clinical supervision of the Certified Educator/Associate Educator, or Student Educator CPE, this position is precepted and mentored by assigned Sr. Chaplain/Chaplain in the provision of ...

Under the clinical supervision of the Certified Educator/Associate Educator, or Student Educator CPE, this position is precepted and mentored by assigned Sr. Chaplain/Chaplain in the provision of ...

Under the clinical supervision of the Certified Educator/Associate Educator, or Student Educator CPE, this position is precepted and mentored by assigned Sr. Chaplain/Chaplain in the provision of ...

This position precepts with and is mentored by assigned Sr. Chaplain/Chaplain in the provision of spiritual care to meet the spiritual, religious and emotional needs of patients, families, and ...

This position precepts with and is mentored by assigned Sr. Chaplain/Chaplain in the provision of spiritual care to meet the spiritual, religious and emotional needs of patients, families, and ...

This position precepts with and is mentored by assigned Sr. Chaplain/Chaplain in the provision of spiritual care to meet the spiritual, religious and emotional needs of patients, families, and ...

This position precepts with and is mentored by assigned Sr. Chaplain/Chaplain in the provision of spiritual care to meet the spiritual, religious and emotional needs of patients, families, and ...

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Senior Chaplain information

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$29K

$63.6K

$98K

How much do senior chaplain jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior 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 as a Senior Chaplain, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Chaplain, you typically need a theological degree, ordination or equivalent credentials, and substantial experience in spiritual care. Familiarity with electronic health record (EHR) systems, pastoral counseling tools, and compliance with institutional policies is often required. Exceptional interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to provide compassionate support make someone stand out in this role. These skills are crucial for addressing the spiritual and emotional needs of diverse individuals, ensuring ethical care, and effectively leading chaplaincy programs.

What is the difference between Senior Chaplain vs Chaplain?

AspectSenior ChaplainChaplain
CredentialsTypically requires ordination, certification, and experienceRequires ordination or certification, often less experience needed
Work EnvironmentHospitals, military, prisons, large organizationsHospitals, military, prisons, religious institutions
ResponsibilitiesLeadership, mentorship, complex spiritual careProviding spiritual support, counseling, basic services

Senior Chaplains generally have more experience, leadership duties, and oversee other chaplains. Chaplains provide essential spiritual care and support in various settings. The main difference lies in the level of responsibility and experience required.

What are Senior Chaplains?

Senior Chaplains are experienced spiritual leaders who provide pastoral care, religious guidance, and emotional support within institutions such as hospitals, prisons, military organizations, or universities. They often oversee a team of chaplains, coordinate religious services, and serve as a liaison between the institution and faith communities. Their responsibilities include counseling individuals, facilitating religious observances, and supporting staff and families during times of crisis. Senior Chaplains are typically ordained clergy with significant experience in pastoral care and leadership.

How does a Senior Chaplain typically support staff and patients in a healthcare setting?

A Senior Chaplain in a healthcare environment provides spiritual and emotional care to both patients and staff, often acting as a bridge between individuals and their faith communities or personal beliefs. They lead a team of chaplains, coordinate pastoral care programs, and may facilitate debriefings or support groups for staff coping with stress or grief. Collaboration with medical professionals is common, ensuring holistic care that addresses patients' spiritual needs alongside their physical health. This role requires sensitivity, strong communication skills, and the ability to respond thoughtfully in crisis situations.
More about Senior Chaplain jobs
What cities are hiring for Senior Chaplain jobs? Cities with the most Senior Chaplain job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Chaplain jobs? The most popular types of Chaplain jobs are:
What states have the most Senior Chaplain jobs? States with the most job openings for Senior Chaplain jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Senior Chaplain jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Chaplain jobs are:
Infographic showing various Senior Chaplain job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $63,587 per year, or $30.6 per hour.
Chaplain Intern

Part-time, Internship

Posted 16 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Provides spiritual care and support to patients, families, and employees under supervision to address spiritual, religious, and emotional needs.

  • Participates in interprofessional health team rounds and assists in the initial screening, assessment, and development of patient care plans.

  • Accurately documents patient visits and spiritual care provided in compliance with CPE program requirements.


Houston Methodist rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 296 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

67th of 877 rated healthcare providers


Job description

At Houston Methodist, the Chaplain Intern position is responsible for participating as a part-time or summer student in the Houston Methodist accredited Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program which includes classroom education as well as individual supervised learning. Under the clinical supervision of the Certified Educator/Associate Educator, or Student Educator CPE, this position is precepted and mentored by assigned Sr. Chaplain/Chaplain in the provision of spiritual care to meet the spiritual, religious, and emotional needs of patients, families, and employees.
FLSA STATUS
Non-exempt
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
  • Enrollment in an accredited college/university
  • Bachelor’s degree or graduate level theological degree from an accredited school preferred

EXPERIENCE
  • One year of membership in a faith/belief group

SKILLS AND ABILITIES
  • Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely function in learning environment
  • Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security.
  • Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles.
  • Possesses basic computer knowledge; operates various computer systems to enter and maintain patient documents
  • Exhibits strong interpersonal and team player skills with all levels of the healthcare team
  • Demonstrates a high level of maturity with demonstrated self-confidence and ability to make decisions
  • Conducts self in a professional manner at all times
  • Above average written and verbal communication skills
  • Demonstrates a learning attitude toward solving problems, using good reasoning and judgment in a high stress environment
  • Demonstrates a positive demeanor and strong multi-tasking abilities
  • Very strong organization skills and detail-oriented nature
  • Professional handling of exposure to confidential/sensitive information

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  • Provides a supportive and positive environment for Houston Methodist patients, family members, visitors, employees and physicians. Provides spiritual care support to Houston Methodist employees.
  • Collaborates with all members of the patient care team by actively communicating in a positive, supportive, non-judgmental manner, reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner.
  • Provides contributions towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement on department scorecard.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  • Participates in interprofessional health team rounds, discharge planning, support groups and other interprofessional teams.
  • Precepted and mentored by assigned Sr. Chaplain/Chaplain, provides spiritual care to meet the spiritual, religious and emotional needs of patients and their family members of all faiths, during hospitalization and particularly for pre-operative, critically ill and dying patients.
  • Assists in the initial screening and assessment of patients and the development of patient care plans; responds to assigned referrals. Follows patient protocols established by the precepting chaplain.
  • Provides crisis intervention for patients, visitors, and employees with attention to spiritual needs, involving others as needed.
  • Contributes to meeting/exceeding department and organization targets for patient satisfaction measures.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  • Seeks guidance from Certified Educator, Associate Educator, Student Educator and precepting Chaplain as appropriate; escalates issues/requests to ensure quality and safety in services provided.
  • Accurately and thoroughly documents patient visits and spiritual care provided in the patient’s record.
  • Contributes to identification of corrective action and improvement activities and contributes to meeting department and targets for quality and safety. Reports “near misses” and inputs into Patient Safety Net (PSN).

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  • Utilizes time and resources effectively and efficiently and helps other team members, demonstrating responsible financial stewardship, minimizing incidental overtime.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  • Prepares required patient care reports and other summaries for review and evaluation in compliance with CPE program requirements. Proactively learns from feedback and mentoring.
  • Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an on-going basis.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
    WORK ATTIRE
    • Uniform: No
    • Scrubs: No
    • Business professional: Yes
    • Other (department approved): No

    ON-CALL*
    *Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.
    • On Call* Yes

    TRAVEL**
    **Travel specifications may vary by department**
    • May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
    • May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
  • Enrollment in an accredited college/university
  • Bachelor’s degree or graduate level theological degree from an accredited school preferred

EXPERIENCE
  • One year of membership in a faith/belief group

Company Profile:

Houston Methodist Hospital is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 1 hospital in Texas and one of America’s “Best Hospitals.” As a full-service, acute-care hospital located in the Texas Medical Center and the flagship hospital of Houston Methodist, it has evolved into one of the nation’s largest nonprofit teaching hospitals and a leader in innovative medical research with a comprehensive residency program. Two of Houston Methodist’s primary academic affiliates are among the nation’s leading health care organizations: Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Houston Methodist also has affiliations with Texas A&M University and the University of Houston. Houston Methodist Hospital offers unparalleled care for thousands of patients from around the world.

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.


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