A part of the overall hospice team, a hospice chaplain gives pastoral support to terminally ill patients and their families. Patients can go into hospice care when they are expected to die within six months. The chaplain is a vital member of the hospice team. Although he gives no medical care, he is trained to listen well and to be a comforting and supporting presence in a difficult time.
Hospice
Hospice is a well-known type of care in the United States. Hospice groups are specially trained to work with dying patients and their families to give support, physical help and comfort. A hospice team usually consists of nurses, aides, social workers and a chaplain.
Role in the Hospice Team
Using a combination of spirituality and psychology, the hospice chaplain is the team member responsible for the spiritual care of the dying patient and the family. Chaplains are nonjudgmental and make no distinctions for different denominations or cultures. Additionally, hospice chaplains help conduct workshops for other hospice team members on sensitivity to patients' spiritual needs.
Duties
Hospice chaplains say much of their time is spent simply sitting with dying patients and listening to them talk. According to Health Care Chaplaincy, a large organization of chaplains in the New York area, the chaplain's most important duty is giving spiritual counseling and support. If requested, chaplains may conduct religious services of their own faith, but they refrain from proselytizing. Since hospice foundations receive government money, they are required to be nondenominational. Hospice chaplains visit the patient and family as often or as little as requested. Most visit the patient at least once a week. If the patient is active in a church, the chaplain stays in touch with the minister and other church members. They are also available for prayer or counseling. Volunteers who have received hospice training may also assist the hospice chaplain in his duties. After the patient's death, the hospice chaplain is also available to help with funeral plans.
Education
Most hospice chaplains receive their training from the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, an organization that comprises all faiths and cultures. Although some of the training is done in a traditional classroom setting, student chaplains study and learn by participating in hospice work. Many receive professional certification from the Association of Professional Chaplains or a chaplain organization within their particular faith. Membership in the APC means the hospice chaplain does his work according to national standards and a code of ethics. Many hospice chaplains are ordained ministers.
Bereavement Counselor
After the patient's death, the hospice chaplain in available to help family members work through grief. Many hospice chaplains are also on staff at hospitals as grief counselors.
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