In support of the Ministry Market, the Manager of Clinical Ethics is responsible for supporting the implementation and operations of the Ethics programming (responsive services, education and integration) throughout the clinical care setting for the purpose of strengthening Ascension’s identity as a healing ministry of the Catholic Church. Along with their primary focus of supporting Clinical Ethics programming within their Ministry Market, the Manager of Clinical Ethics also participates as a fully engaged member in the Ethics Advisory Community to develop systematic approaches, processes, policies, resources, and content for ministry decision support, ethics education, consultation and integration into the organization’s clinical processes across Ascension. Please note this is an onsite position in Austin, Texas (TX) and will require local travel.
Responsibilities:
Support the Ministry Market by providing high quality Clinical Ethics programming that is consistent with Ascension’s Catholic ministry identity and The Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services (“ERDs”) in collaboration with the Director of Ethics Integration.
Implement strategic and operational plans for Clinical Ethics programming within their Ministry Market by:
Providing subject matter expertise in clinical ethics consultation, including but not limited to the interpretation and application of the ERDs, to support multidisciplinary care teams, patients, and families in addressing ethical dimensions of patient care;
Leading, coordinating and supporting the operations of the Ethics Integration Committees, including but not limited to maintaining appropriate leadership and membership and providing education to build members’ competencies to identify and escalate ethics consults to local Ethics leadership;
Developing and providing clinical ethics-related education for providers, staff, and associates to further equip them to navigate ethical decision-making and to reinforce an ethical culture of care, the ERDs and Ascension’s Catholic ministry identity; and
Assisting and supporting Mission Integration initiatives specific to ethics programing within the health ministry as directed by the CMIO and/or Director of Ethics Integration and relative to health ministry specific needs, including but not limited to policy review and development, formation, and representing Mission Integration and Ethics on committees and workgroups
Continue the development of one's own professional skills and competencies relative to the role of Manager of Clinical Ethics, as appropriate.
MD, Advanced Practitioner (PA, APNP, etc.), or RN with master’s level work in health care ethics/bioethics and/or particular emphasis in Catholic moral theology; or M.A in one or more of the following: Health care ethics/bioethics, and courses in Catholic theology; Theology/theological ethics with a concentration in health care ethics/bioethics; Philosophical ethics with a concentration in health care ethics/bioethics and courses in Catholic theology.
Candidates need to be able to demonstrate knowledge of the Catholic moral tradition, including application of the Ethical and Religious Directives to complex clinical care issues.
1-3+ years experience in health care, preferably Catholic health care, especially working with ethics committees and performing clinical ethics consultations and ethics education.
Knowledge of and demonstrated familiarity with: health care ethics--with a concentration in clinical bioethics, the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, Catholic Social Thought, health care systems and institutions, health care law, health care administration, including ethics committees and processes of clinical consultation.
Demonstrated interpersonal skills necessary to execute major accountabilities effectively through influence rather than through reporting relationship