Qualifications needed to be a hospital chaplain
The job of hospital chaplain is a career consideration for some people. The chaplain is usually an ordained minister or a trained lay person. They are attached to the hospital to serve the patients and their families. The term "chaplain: has been in use since the time of Martin of Tours. He is said to have used his cape to cure many people. The old French word for cape is "chapele." and the word "chaplain" was derived from that term.
The career choice is a very demanding one. You have to be compassionate, sympathetic, and comforting. You meet all types of circumstances from serious anxiety about an illness, surgery fears and even death. It is your job to support the family unit in these situations, but give more support to the patient. You are the listening post for those who have fears, anxieties, and are depressed. It is your job to bring the word of the Lord to these people who are hurting. You will find that is not the easiest accomplishment when a family or person is distraught. You have to be caring and supportive. A patient might want last minute consolation prior to a surgery. You have to cry with them, but always making them realize that the Lord is in control of the situation.
Being a hospital chaplain is a 24-hour job. People don't die just in the morning, or within normal working hours. You are on call, unless you have an assistant chaplain who will handle some of the other shifts. The hospital chaplain should be mature and know the concepts of religion. He or she should have taken some courses in grieving, loss, and learning to be a good listener. Hospital chaplains must be able to protect the patent's rights at all times.
Chaplains are never to share any personal information with anyone. Chaplains must have an upbeat manner, but show compassion at the same time. They must be outgoing and able to converse with patients and families. Their demeanor must be one of trust. Chaplains in a hospital setting are called upon to deal with people on a more personal level. They are in charge of the hospital chapel, making sure that any services held there, be approved and scheduled. The chapel should be a quiet place to pray and reflect. It is the chaplain's job to make sure that this place is just that.
A chaplain often has an office in the hospital. This office should be used for consultations and private meetings with the families. The chaplain's real office is in the rooms of the patients. He or she should familiarize themselves with the hospital room set up, and be able to find a patient at a moment's notice. Each hospital sets a different pay scale for the chaplain. Some serve voluntarily. Check with the hospital to see what their requirements are.
Even though you might be an ordained minister, the chaplain job calls for some additional training. This training is provided at classes at various institutions. Some courses are offered online. It is a must for the chaplain to have clinical pastoral education in addition to their normal biblical studies. A pastoral counselor degree is a good course of study for the hospital chaplain. There are on line chaplain degrees available. These can be researched at www.eLearners.com. Check with your local hospital and see what the criteria is for the job.
Chaplains are often non denominational and if the patient has a particular religion, it is the chaplain's duty to call that denomination's minister. There is an organization that chaplains can join, HCMA. It was established in 1939 and non-sectarian and non-profit. It is helpful to receive various information from this organization for the hospital chaplain. They can be reached at www.hemachaplains.org.
Lists containing names of specific other ministers should be kept current. It is often the duty of the hospital chaplain to plan programs for nurses and other hospital workers to assist them with their part in the assisting of families and patients. They should be taught to call the chaplain, when they feel it would be beneficial to the patient.
