CHA is excited to announce the development of a new Theology and Ethics Center (Center)! The mission of this Center is to help health care ministries of the Catholic Church address complex issues so that they may more effectively fulfill their missions. It does this through intentional and honest dialogue, faithful and creative scholarship, and practical consultations. Through the Center's work, the US Church and its ministries may more effectively witness to the dignity of human life and more compellingly communicate its vision for a just, equitable, and compassionate society.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Center will be (become) the most comprehensive resource for faithfully exploring how Catholic health care ministries can best serve in today’s world.  The Executive Director will be responsible for implementing the overall vision of the Center and overseeing all related administrative duties.  The Executive Director will ensure that the Center has developed robust resources and expertise regarding Culture and Ecclesiology, Justice and Health Equity, Governance and Identity, Organizational Ethics, Vocation and Diversity, and Clinical Bioethics.  The Executive Director will ensure that the Center is committed to transparent inquiry, dialogue over debate, theological rigor, and practical applicability.  The Executive Director will assist in promoting a vision and understanding of the Catholic health ministry as an essential ministry of the Catholic Church.  The Executive Director’s duties will include serving as a spokesperson on theological and ethical issues facing Catholic health, and they will maintain effective relationships with other national organizations and CHA members.  Some travel is required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Start-Up Phase

• Utilizing the “Center for Theological Inquiry in Catholic Health Care” overview, develop a multi-phased implementation plan for the Center.
• Develop a strong working relationship with the USCCB
• Develop a strong working relationship with Catholic academic bioethics centers
• Establish an Advisory Board for the Center.
• Recruit and hire appropriate staff for the Center.
• Operationalize the first phase of the implementation plan.

On-Going

• Ensure that the Center fosters a hospitable environment where all committed to advancing the health ministry of the Church are able to engage in rigorous intellectual discourse, , and where all are held to the highest standards of intellectual charity.
• Ensure that the Center avoids ideological division to be the greatest service to the Church and society, collaboratively exploring differing views.     
• Ensure that the Center is known for thoughtful engagement with the full breadth of the Catholic intellectual tradition with transparent dialogue and activities characterized by creativity and faithfulness.
• Ensures that the Center’s work is ultimately oriented toward application and useful to a broad group of constituents.
• Ensures that the Center has access to the resources and expertise to explore the theological and ecclesial foundations of Catholic health ministry in light of contemporary culture.
• Ensures that the Center has access to the resources and expertise to explore the role of Catholic health care in reducing health disparities and advancing the right relationships within health care settings, communities, and through political structures.
• Ensures that the Center has access to the resources and expertise to explore the role of health care sponsors, board members, and other leaders in cultivating Catholic identity in today’s world.
• Ensures that the Center has access to the resources and expertise to explore the tensions that arise from the goal of simultaneously operating Catholic health care as both a faithful ministry and a sustainable business.
• Ensure that the Center has access to the resources and expertise to explore the vocation to Catholic health care and the opportunities of optimizing the gifts of today’s workforce.
• Ensure that the Center has access to the resources and expertise to explore the challenges associated with clinical care, particularly those related to new and emerging technologies and sociological issues.

Experience:              

Minimum of 5 years’ of progressive management experience and relevant and progressively responsible professional experience in theology, ethics, and/or health administration.  National prominence within Catholic health care or the U.S. Catholic Church. Proven track record of successfully building large initiatives across multiple stakeholders. Respected across the U.S. Catholic Church. Ability to collaboratively create a short-term plan and a long-term vision of the Center. Ability to effectively communicate the plan and vision to potential stakeholders.

Skills, Knowledge, and Ability:

Practicing Catholic with demonstrated understanding of Church structures, practices (rituals and traditions), moral and social teaching.   Ability to think strategically, anticipating future consequences and trends.  Ability to maintain objectivity in all situations.  Be an influential leader skilled in building trust and cultivating relationships. Effective problem-solving skills and proven ability to influence and develop win-win solutions. Project management skills tested by experience in building programs. Can navigate university dynamics and understand the academic environment. Is Academically rigorous in their thinking. Demonstrated success amidst nuanced distinctions of governance. Must exhibit high ethical standards. In addition, have Excellent written and verbal communication skills.  Demonstrate and maintain confidentiality. Effective listener.  Strong interpersonal skills exhibiting professionalism and diplomacy with internal and external customers at all levels.  Excellent time and project management skills with the ability to meet deadlines.  Strong analytical and critical thinking ability is necessary to evaluate data and form meaningful conclusions through analysis, wisdom, experience, and judgment. Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint skills.  

About Catholic Health Association of the United States

The Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA), representing more than 600 hospitals and 1,600 long-term care and other health facilities in all 50 states, advances the ministry of the Catholic church in caring for people and communities. Grounded by our core values of Respect, Integrity, Stewardship, and Excellence, CHA team members work collaboratively to bring hope and healing to those we serve as we advocate for health equity and access to care for all. CHA and our members promote a culture of inclusion and belonging that brings together people of diverse faiths and backgrounds in our belief that every person is a treasure, every life a sacred gift, and every human being a unity of body, mind, and spirit. Through our mission and values, we will empower bold change to elevate human flourishing.

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