Chaplain – A Healing Presence

Chaplain – A Healing Presence

Considering This Career

Who becomes a chaplain?

 Unique call of faith Professional background

– Healthcare – Social services– Pastoral ministry– Education – Nonprofits

Tug - presence/impact in painful moments

What does a chaplain do?Make tangible the Presence and Grace of God

– A compassionate pastoral presence

Assess spiritual need Provide/document pastoral care Offer spiritual care programs Facilitate ethical decision making Cultivate a culture of spirituality in

organization

Emphasis of ministry varies

Pastoral presence to patient/family/friends

Trained to reverence diverse faith backgrounds

Grounded in own pastoral identityEncounterSacred in midst

Of suffering

Assessing patient’s spiritual needHealthcare team all participateHigh respect for personal spiritual

condition Integral to holistic care

Provide spiritual care programs

Diverse Special Seasonal Staff

Facilitate ethical decision makingEthical and Religious DirectivesAssist with Advanced DirectivesEmbrace people where they areListening and clarifying presence to

family

Culture of spirituality in organization

MissionThe Joint CommissionPartner with Mission Integration and

Directors of Pastoral Care

Are there jobs? Where? Demand?

Yes, Health care, hospice/palliative careThroughout the country, especially ruralWithin five years higher demandAverage chaplain age = 63We need you soon.

Is it a viable career?YesCollaborative on compensationComparable to other Master-level

professionals$30,000’s - $60,000’sSolid benefits

What do I need to be prepared?Goal – Board Certified ChaplainCertifying Bodies – Common StandardsNational Association of Catholic Chaplains

– Membership– Catholic in good standing (endorsement) – Master-level degree in theology– 4 units of Clinical Pastoral Education– Meet competencies

Prepare and work?

PossibleMany theological programsWays to complete Clinical Pastoral

Education(CPE)– Extended– Residence

CPE residency and compensation

Whom do I contact?

Contact NACC (414-483-4898 or info@nacc.org)

Visit NACC website, www.nacc.org