Report On The Hospital Chaplaincy Project

Introduction – Health-care Chaplaincy

Chaplaincy has been around since the time of the Old Testament when priests and the Levites accompany the Israelite soldiers to war. However, the concept of chaplain ministry started by a simple act of kindness during the fourth century. A clergyman named Martin encountered a beggar with no cloak on a rainy day. Upon seeing him, Martin decided to rip his cloak in two and gave half of it to the beggar. After the bishop's death, his cloak became treasured as a reminder of empathy. In Latin, The keeper of the cloak became known as the Chapelain, which translates as chaplain into English. However, the need for healthcare chaplaincy didn’t emerge until the early twentieth century. As hospitals started to care for patients of different religious backgrounds, a demand for providing spiritual care with health care was recognized. Medical care was also being revolutionized in the United with the Social Security Act in 1965 that allowed a large flow of capital to go into health care. While all these changes were taking place, Healthcare chaplaincy was also been developed. In 1925 the Clinical Pastoral Education program (CPE) started on the east coast.

Service provided and Employment Requirement

Health-care chaplains afford personal, immediate spiritual care to patients and their families, and hospital staff. In addition to providing spiritual care, hospital chaplains are also involved in in what is called hospitals emergency protocols. Hospital chaplains also provide support, counseling, and referral for hospital staff and limited outpatient counseling and support to former patients and their families”. In addition, staff chaplains also provide lectures and workshops for various Health entities, community organizations and agencies. Furthermore, the work of the hospital chaplain may include such things as orienting new clergy, developing educational events, and conferences for clergy; providing support and expertise to clergy dealing with difficult pastoral care issues and situations, and conducting religious services in the hospital chapel, including officiating at memorial services and weddings. Hospitals normally hire chaplaincy applicants who demonstrated a willingness and the ability to assimilate in a team setting. A chaplain with the capability to communicate respectfully across cultures and with persons of different faiths is a valued asset. Because the work of the chaplain is of confidential nature, it is required of chaplains to maintain an elevated level of moral, principled, and fitting conduct, professionalism and discretion. The capacity to operate efficiently in a highly stress environment while preserving a composed composure is of paramount of importance.

Educational Background

There are varied educational route a person can take in order to enter the field healthcare chaplaincy. At a minimum, most hospitals require that chaplains possess a bachelor's degree in counseling, theology or a related field. However, hospitals that are larger in size may require chaplain candidates to have a Master of Divinity, MA Counseling, MA Pastoral Counseling, and MA Christian Ministry: Pastoral Counseling, be endorsed by a recognized religious institution or demonstrate that they have received additional training or credential through a professional organization such as the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc.

Employment Outlook and Job Market

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) published certain salary information in 2015 with regard to chaplaincy. The statistics showed that the average salary for a hospital chaplain is $50,430. For those working in nursing care facilities, the approximate average salary is $46,380. In 2014, the BLS also stated that chaplaincy employment on the whole was expected to increase by 6% until 2024 (Study.com). In 1872 there were only one hundred seventy-eight hospitals in the U.S reported having chaplains. However, in 2017 six thousand two hundred forty-two U.S. hospitals listed in the USA Hospital Directory as having services of chaplains.

Improvements Needed in Healthcare Chaplaincy

Research finds that improvements needs to be made in hospital chaplaincy in order to better professionalized this branch of chaplaincy. These improvements include more clarity in the definition of the goals, methods and procedures; defining protocols and a stance on important ethical issues; greater participation in the multidisciplinary patient care teams; and the improvement of common ethical codes for chaplains and other professionals in the hospital setting.

Why Healthcare Chaplains

Research indicates that more than 50% of adults surveyed reported that their religion is the number one resource that helps them deal their malady. On another group surveyed, 44% mentioned religion as the greatest factor that helps them cope with their sicknesses or hospitalization. 88% of women diagnosed with breast cancer said that religion was important to them, and out the 88%, 85% of them said religion was central in helping deal with the cancer. Another 93% of women with gynecological cancer stated that having religion enabled them to be hopeful of their outcome. Research also indicate that spirituality help people cope with such issues as anxiety, hopelessness and isolation.

Hospital chaplaincy has come a long way, and still with much room to grow. It is a great opportunity for anyone who loves to minister to the sick through the ministry of listening and presence, encouragement and prayer; However, Jesus was the greatest of all chaplains and left us the greatest example of what chaplaincy is all about. Representing Him and following in His footsteps is really rewarding.