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Hospital Chaplain Resume Samples
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0-5 years of experience
Conducted daily rounds to all departments, engaging in conversation and listening closely to understand the emotional, psychological and spiritual condition of each patient.
- Assessed spiritual needs regarding anxiety, fear of death, fear of poor health and a broad range of other issues and concerns. Provided appropriate intervention, documented each visit and made necessary referrals.
- Administered rituals, such as communion, baptism, marriage, funerals and burial of patients and staff.
- Provided emotional and psychological support to staff, patients and family members of all faiths and cultures.
- Provided consultation for Bioethics, Palliative Care and Organ Donor committees. Provided translation to assist the medical team with discussing critical issues about end of life, life support and the process of donating organs in accordance with faith and cultural norms.
- Collaborated with the interdisciplinary team to administer the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to the whole person: body, mind, heart and spirit.
0-5 years of experience
Led weekly groups on grief & loss and spirituality
- Led Sunday morning worship
- Provided memorial services for patients and/or staff as requested
- Served as a member of the treatment team
0-5 years of experience
Responsibilities included regular and on-call pastoral care and visitation of patients, non-medical, and medical staff.
- Worked with the Cardiac Rehab team, Oncology, Psychology, ICU, ER units, and all Nursing levels.
- Trained in Total Quality Management system approach.
- Worked with and ministered to individuals from a variety of faith and non-faith backgrounds.
- Served as a liaison to local churches and pastors.
0-5 years of experience
- Piloted pastoral care with team at the satellite site of Lakeview Hospital in Bountiful, Utah
- Participated in daily rounds on the ICU
- Worked on various units including Women’s Health Pavilion, Neonatal Intensive Care, Oncology, and Emergency Care
- Participated in family meetings, palliative care team meetings, ethical committee meetings, patient advocacy consults, and hospital administrative meetings
- Worked with administration to develop and implement plans for increasing patient satisfaction
- Provided spiritual care for diverse religious needs of patients, family, and staff, including grief and bereavement support
- Conducted crisis intervention management during codes and other emergencies
- Created and implemented spirituality groups for patients on behavioral health floor
0-5 years of experience
- Instructs Command Team Element and Units about the impact of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and complicated grief through the early identification of combat stress reactions to prevent/treat battle fatigue and other harmful stress-related behaviors
- Implemented training programs in Military Resiliency that develops strategies to promote mental health in the military by teaching students to monitor their beliefs and evaluate their accuracy contributing to a decrease in anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders, and conduct problems
- Developed comprehensive treatment plans for patients integrating multi-faith spiritual care within the palliative care model
- Outsourced to a Combat Stress Detachment Team to provide debrief on episodic memory of traumatic memories
- Implemented training in PTSD in the cognitive, emotional, and empowerment stages providing individuals with the tools to identify the facts about their issues, eliminate bitterness and deal with repressed memories, and find meaning and reconnect with family
- Provided training on setting healthy, achievable goals in creating post-traumatic growth
Hospital Chaplain Duties and Responsibilities
Specific job tasks for hospital chaplains vary based on the spiritual needs of those within the hospital and the facility’s size. However, they commonly perform these core duties:
Crisis Intervention Hospital chaplains provide emotional and spiritual support to families, patients, and staff members in the event of death, fatal diagnosis, and other life-changing moments.
Counsel Patients and Staff Hospital chaplains provide counseling services and spiritual guidance to everyone within the hospital. They also answer questions regarding end-of-life concerns and other spiritual issues while maintaining confidentiality regarding all consultations and counseling sessions.
Perform Rituals Hospital chaplains conduct and assist in spiritual rituals, such as the administration of the last rites. They also pray with patients, families, and staff members, and sometimes perform these rituals outside of the hospital.
Conduct Rounds Hospital chaplains conduct regular rounds of hospital wards where critically ill patients are treated, such as the intensive care unit.
Keep Worship Space Clean Hospital chaplains maintain the hospital worship space. This includes performing light cleaning tasks, replacing candles, and straightening furniture.
Liaise with Religious Community Hospital chaplains serve as a community liaison between the medical facility and local religious organizations and churches.
Hospital Chaplain Skills and Qualifications
Hospital chaplains are spiritual leaders, compassionate listeners, and counselors for people from all belief systems and walks of life during times of crisis. Hospitals look for chaplains with the following skills:
- Spiritual knowledge – hospital chaplains use their knowledge of different faiths to perform various religious rituals, lead prayers, and answer spiritual questions
- Communication skills – hospital chaplains need excellent verbal communication and active listening skills to talk with and effectively counsel those with spiritual needs
- Public speaking – hospital chaplains offer prayers and conduct rituals in front of groups of people, which requires public speaking skills
- Leadership– hospital chaplains lead prayers and religious services, which requires leadership ability
- Interpersonal skills – because hospital chaplains provide emotional support and counseling, they need strong interpersonal skills to effectively connect with people of all ages with empathy and compassion
Hospital Chaplain Education and Training
Hospital chaplains must have a master’s degree in divinity, spirituality, or an equivalent discipline. Employers also require hospital chaplains to have previous experience working in a clinical or hospital environment. The amount of experience required varies by facility, but two to four years is common. No on-the-job training is typically provided to hospital chaplains, though hospitals often offer a brief orientation. This orientation may consist of a tour of the facility and key staff members or may be more extensive depending on the hospital.
Hospital Chaplain Salary and Outlook
According to employment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, social workers earn a median salary of $47,980 annually. Hospital chaplains perform many of the same duties as social workers, who counsel people through difficult situations. PayScale data shows that hospital chaplains earn a median annual salary of $47,100. The BLS predicts the number of hospital chaplains will rise 16 percent through 2026, which is much faster than the average national job growth rate. A majority of hospitals provide healthcare coverage to hospital chaplains, as well as dental insurance benefits. Hospitals may also provide employees with free cafeteria meals and gift shop discounts.
Helpful Resources
Use these resources to find prayers, job strategies, career opportunities, and education options for hospital chaplains:
Association of Professional Chaplains – find certification programs, education resources, upcoming spiritual events, and information about various spiritual publications at APC
The Hospital Chaplain’s Handbook: A Guide for Good Practice – this book explores the role of the hospital chaplain and presents various techniques for assessing patient needs, working as part of a healthcare team, and guiding others through traumatic life events
American Chaplains Association – this website provides hospital chaplains and other types of chaplains with certification program resources, a newsletter, and events information
Chaplain Prayer Book – this book written for chaplains in the healthcare industry contains prayers of four major world faiths: Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism
Healthcare Chaplains Ministry Association – go to this website to find training programs for chaplains, information about achieving certification, and tips for maintaining ethical and professional standards
Professional Spiritual & Pastoral Care: A Practical Clergy and Chaplain’s Handbook – this guidebook provides chaplains in the healthcare industry with strategies and tools for offering basic therapies to patients. Several past and current presidents of chaplaincy organizations contributed to the text, which marries classic techniques with modern tips for clergy, counselors, and caregivers