Chaplain
Open To Work
Robert Smitley
Trinity Community of Fairborn
Kettering,OH
Work Preference
Job Search Status:
Open to work
Desired start date:
2 weeks notice
Desired Job Title
Chaplain
Work Type
Full Time
Location Preference
On-Site
Location:
Kettering, OH
Open to relocation:
Yes
1
Certification
9
Years of experience
I have been ordained clergyman in United Church of Christ since June 13,1983 Served as a pastor and chaplain over last 40 years. Find working as a chaplain most rewarding professionally and personally. I have served as a volunteer police, fire, and ems chaplain. I served as chaplain at Miami Valley Hospital (main campus) on Saturday and Sunday working nights 7p to 7a. Recruited by United Church Homes to serve as chaplain part time to start and at end of first year requested I become full time served chaplain in the Long Term Care facility I was serving for 8 years. Due to need to be away from work longer than FMLA because of complication from back surgery I lost my seniority. United Church Homes needed to reduce staff at all levels to meet budget for 2025 and I was terminated for this reason.
Work History
Chaplain
8 Years 11 Months- Designed and implemented interfaith services aimed at promoting inclusivity and strengthening community ties among varied cultural groups.
- Organized educational workshops on coping strategies for loss, enhancing community resilience and understanding.
- Provided spiritual guidance and emotional support to residents and families during critical life events.
- Developed and implemented grief support programs tailored to individual needs of residents and their families.
- Collaborated with healthcare staff to integrate holistic care approaches into patient treatment plans.
- Mentored CPE Interns as a mentor, fostering professional development and adherence to ethical standards in ministry.
- Conducted regular assessments of spiritual needs within the community, informing program adjustments for better outreach efforts.
- Provided spiritual guidance, emotional support and direct care to residents, family members and staff.
- Developed relationships with patients and families, resulting in increased trust and rapport during difficult times.
- Comforted family members, offered attentive listening and high level of emotional support.
- Provided spiritual care through visitation, counseling, and prayer.
- Led programs such as worship, study, fellowship, and service opportunities.
- Provided compassionate pastoral care in emergency departments, addressing the spiritual needs of patients experiencing acute distress or trauma.
- Officiated special services such as weddings, funerals, baptisms, and nursing home services.
- Delivered comforting presence during end-of-life situations, offering prayers and rituals to honor the patient''s beliefs and values.
- Delivered thoughtful eulogies at memorial services, honoring the lives of deceased patients while offering solace to grieving loved ones.
- Conducted crisis intervention sessions with individuals experiencing severe emotional distress, providing comfort and support during critical times.
- Researched and prepared materials used in Bible study and daily devotions.
- Managed volunteer chaplain program, recruiting and training dedicated individuals to assist in meeting the spiritual needs of patients and families.
- Oversaw administration and management of all areas of ministry when assigned
- Built strong relationships with local faith-based organizations to create a network of resources for patients and families.
- Implemented pastoral care programs that addressed the unique spiritual needs of patients facing terminal illness or end-of-life decisions.
- Facilitated grief support groups, helping participants cope with loss and find healing through shared experiences.
- Managed office and maintained records and files to offload administrative duties from chaplain.
- Mentored new chaplains to enhance their skills and knowledge in providing compassionate spiritual care.
- Served as a trusted resource on religious traditions, customs, practices across various faiths within the hospital setting.
- Developed and delivered sermons that addressed contemporary issues, enriching spiritual life of community.
- Guided individuals through end-of-life decision making, offering comfort and clarity during difficult times.
- Assisted in conflict resolution within community, promoting peace and harmony.
- Enhanced patient morale with regular bedside visits and compassionate counseling.
- Authored sermons, speeches and other religious materials.
Education
Doctorate of Psychology - Counseling Psychology
Masters - Pastoral Care/Counseling
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
Skills
I developed a close professional relationship with staff and residents of community.
Worked in a community of different religious beliefs.
Lead religious services meeting religious needs of those present.
Worked closely with local clergy to meet needs of non-religious residents. I am very ecumenical in my approach to ministry.
Provided weekly Bible classes using scripture and hymns averaging about 25 percent of community residents
Worked residents at all levels of dementia in our secured unit.
Would remove any clergy from volunteer list if found to be proselytizing residents.
Developed strong working relationship with local clergy.
Set with residents that were actively dying
offering support spiritually and compassionately
as well as family and staff as they worked with dying residents
Chart important and required information pertaining to resident.
Assisted
as requested
family to work through their grief.
Perform funeral services as requested and meet with family to obtain pertinent information about resident’s background to make message presented personal.
Worked closely with interdisciplinary team sharing information as necessary about resident.
Developed professional relationship with several professional organizations in the community to make the LTC community more noticeable.
Certification
American Academy of Grief Counseling, 2023-2024, Certified as Pastoral Thanatologist, certification valid through December 2027.
Affiliations
Served as Vice President on the Board of Directors Chaplain Association of Ohio for 8 years.
Vice President of Critical Incident Stress Management Team for Southwest Ohio for 6 years
Chaplain serving on Board of Box 21 Rescue Team
Timeline
Chaplain
Trinity Community of Fairborn
09.2016 - 08.2025Read More
Wright State University
Bachelor of Arts from Sociology
Read More
Northern Baptist Theological Seminary
Masters from Pastoral Care/Counseling
Read More
Emmanuel Baptist University
Doctorate of Psychology from Counseling Psychology
Read More