Hospital Chaplain
What Does a Hospital Chaplain Do?
The main duty of a Chaplain is to provide spiritual support and guidance to anyone in a hospital who wishes for it. This can be anyone from patients, to nurses and staff, to family members of patients. Chaplains usually make themselves available to people by either scheduled appointments, or simply walking the halls of health care facilities. Many hospitals consider Chaplains an integral member of their health care team as they can provide objective crisis intervention and competent spiritual support.
Who Makes a Good Hospital Chaplain?
In the often stressful and demanding healthcare environment, the Chaplain is an understanding friend and confidant who can provide objectivity to some treatments and situation, but can also be very personable and understanding. Hospital Chaplains provide a listening ear and a pastoral point of view for patients and health care staff as they face professional and personal dilemmas. They must be excellent listeners more than anything, and have a highly-developed sense of empathy for personal struggles. They must also be open to others who may not necessarily share the same spiritual beliefs, and find common ground in order to provide comfort and support.
Additional Duties for a Hospital Chaplain
Many times the Chaplain is asked to contact the minister, priest, rabbi or other spiritual leader by patients they are attending to. The Chaplain provides pastoral care and support until the patient/resident's own minister arrives.
Many times, Hospital Chaplains also serve as the healthcare facility's religious community public relations person. They may be asked to coordinate services provided by other clergy or to conduct seminars and workshops on topics such as patient/resident visitation, terminal illness, death and dying, and the grieving process.
What is the education track for becoming a Hospital Chaplain?
Hospice and Hospital Chaplains usually come from a Master's of Divinity program at a seminary or accredited college. Once they graduate, they may be professionally certified by one of the following organizations: Association of Professional Chaplains, National Association of Catholic Chaplains, or National Association of Jewish Chaplains. Other non-educational certification typically requires a faith group ordination or commissioning, faith group endorsement.