Director of Mission

Description

Director of Mission and Spiritual Care

Youville Place - Lexington, MA | Youville House - Cambridge, MA
Covenant Health

Position Summary

Are you a compassionate, mission-driven leader who is passionate about spirituality, service, and enhancing the lives of older adults? Join Covenant Health as the Director of Mission and Spiritual Care, serving both Youville Place in Lexington, MA, and Youville House in Cambridge, MA.

As a member of the senior management team, the Director of Mission and Spiritual Care plays a vital role in fostering a culture rooted in the mission, values, and Catholic heritage of Covenant Health. This position leads mission integration, spiritual care, staff formation, and ethical education initiatives while ensuring that residents, families, employees, and volunteers feel supported, respected, and connected to a meaningful purpose.

Working collaboratively with administration, department leaders, community partners, and local faith leaders, the Director promotes a welcoming environment that honors our Catholic tradition while respecting and supporting individuals of all faith backgrounds and spiritual beliefs.

Both Youville Place and Youville House are assisted living communities dedicated to supporting the well-being, independence, dignity, and quality of life of older adults.

Essential ResponsibilitiesMission Integration and Leadership

• Serve as the primary liaison to Covenant Health regarding mission integration, the Public Juridic Person (PJP), and the organization's identity as a ministry of the Catholic Church.
• Promote and strengthen the mission, values, heritage, and Catholic identity of Youville Place, Youville House, and Covenant Health.
• Lead initiatives that foster spirituality throughout the organization and serve as a key resource for ethical, moral, and spiritual matters.
• Develop, coordinate, and deliver new employee orientation and ongoing education for employees and volunteers on the organization's mission, values, and responsibilities as a ministry of the Church.
• Provide education on the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services and connect leaders and staff with appropriate ethics resources, including system ethicists and Catholic Health Association educational programs.
• Collaborate with the ministry's Mission Committee to promote and celebrate the organization's traditions among residents, families, employees, and volunteers.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local churches, diocesan leadership, community agencies, and spiritual care providers to strengthen partnerships and respond to community needs, particularly those of individuals who are poor and vulnerable.
• Partner with the Vice President of Mission Integration at Covenant Health on mission integration, ethics, and spiritual care initiatives, including the timely preparation of quarterly reports.
• Participate in Covenant Health education, formation programs, and designated committee meetings.
• Coordinate periodic Ministry Identity Assessments in partnership with Covenant Health and local leadership, developing action plans to address findings and strengthen mission alignment.
• Coordinate social accountability monitoring and reporting, including community benefit reports, and contribute to the organization's Stewardship Report.
• Promote ethical conduct and collaborate with Employee Experience leadership in addressing employee concerns related to the Standards of Conduct.
• Prepare, plan, and manage the department budget in accordance with approved guidelines.
• Serve on organizational committees as assigned by the Chief Executive Officer.
• Pursue ongoing spiritual formation and professional development consistent with applicable professional standards.
• Maintain effective working relationships across departments and collaborate with the interdisciplinary team to integrate mission and pastoral care into daily operations.

Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care Responsibilities

• Visit residents upon admission to assess, document, and address their spiritual and religious needs, ensuring appropriate follow-up and ongoing support.
• Participate in interdisciplinary care planning meetings and establish individualized goals related to residents' spiritual well-being.
• Provide compassionate spiritual and emotional support to residents, families, and employees, particularly during times of crisis, grief, loss, illness, and end-of-life care.
• Coordinate and facilitate religious and spiritual services, including Mass, sacraments, worship services, healing services, memorial services, and other observances that meet the needs of residents across faith traditions.
• Maintain the chapel as a welcoming and sacred space, ensuring it is respected and used for its intended purpose.
• Coordinate visits and services with priests, ministers, rabbis, lay ministers, and other appropriate religious and spiritual care providers.
• Develop and maintain relationships with local parishes and faith communities to support residents' spiritual needs and encourage interfaith engagement.
• Recruit, train, and coordinate volunteers who support spiritual care services, including collaboration with local parishes in the preparation of Eucharistic Ministers.
• Promote an environment of dignity, compassion, inclusion, and respect for each resident's individual beliefs, values, and spiritual preferences.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Master's degree in theology, divinity, religious studies, pastoral ministry, spirituality, or a related field from an accredited academic institution.
• Chaplain certification through the National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC) or the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC) preferred.
• Completion of at least two units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), or active progress toward board certification.
• Substantial knowledge of and commitment to the social and moral teachings of the Catholic Church.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to communicate and apply the Ethical and Religious Directives for