peopleCare Communities·Tavistock, Ontario
The chaplain provides spiritual, emotional, and pastoral support to residents and families, including leading worship services and offering end-of-life care. They work in partnership with the interdisciplinary team to ensure the spiritual well-being of residents while maintaining records and coordinating with community clergy.
WHO ARE WE? peopleCare Communities is a long-term care and retirement living organization that has operated throughout Ontario for over 50 years.
We are thrilled to be named one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for the twelfth year in a row.
This award recognizes top companies across Canada for overall performance, sustained growth, strategy, capabilities and innovation, culture and commitment, and leadership.
We are also accredited with Exemplary Standing, the highest award possible through Accreditation Canada’s Qmentum program.
About This Role The Chaplain provides spiritual, emotional, and pastoral support to residents and families within the long-term care home.
Working in partnership with home leadership and the interdisciplinary care team, the role supports residents’ spiritual well-being through individual visits, worship services, spiritual programs, end-of-life support, and connections with faith and community resources.
This position combines compassionate presence, spiritual care, relationship building, program coordination, and support during times of transition, grief, illness, and loss.
The goal is to honour each resident’s individual beliefs, values, culture, and preferences while promoting dignity, comfort, belonging, and overall well-being within the home.
The chaplain, through her or his daily ministry: Carries out the goals of the pastoral care department Facilitates the celebration of the sacraments as appropriate to his or her clerical status Organizes worship services in creative and ecumenical ways Offers religious and spiritual guidance to residents, staff, and FAMILIES Regularly (as determined by goals and objectives) visits with all residents while daily giving priority to those in greatest need Provides palliative care to residents and families as needed Is available to serve the families of deceased residents as required by follow-up guidance Is responsible to plan memorial services within the home as required Participates in committees and resident conferences to enhance the continuity of care to residents Establishes positive working relationships with all members of the health team aswell as with the volunteers Keeps records as required Offers in-service programs regularly to staff Initiates and maintains communication with area clergy through consultation, notification of a parishioner’s admission and discharge, and educational programming EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 1 year progressive related experience A bachelor’s degree is required. The chaplain has completed a curriculum of theological classes and displays skills and competencies in pastoral care. Certification by an appropriate clinical pastoral agency One year of pastoral experience Ability to articulate the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Facilities Ability to lead and coordinate prayer Ability to facilitate group process Thank you for your interest in this position. We are excited to learn more about you and the experience you would bring to our team. peopleCare is committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all stages of the recruitment and selection process. This posting is for an existing vacancy. peopleCare does not use artificial intelligence to screen, assess or select applicants. Applications are reviewed by members of our recruitment team.
A bachelor's degree and at least one year of progressive pastoral experience are required for this role. Candidates must also possess certification from a clinical pastoral agency and the ability to coordinate prayer and group processes.
Market context
Contract chaplain opportunities in Ontario can be competitive because employers seek both progressive pastoral experience and recognized clinical pastoral certification, along with skills in prayer coordination and group facilitation. Before applying, confirm that your certification is current and clearly describe relevant pastoral progression and group-process experience; requirements and benefits here are AI-summarized from the original job description, helping you reduce research time.