Master of Chaplaincy Studies

Crystal Curasi
ULC Chaplaincy Program

 

chapter 5

 

A DAY IN A CHAPLAIN'S ROUTINE

 

It varies from day to day. This means it's interesting for those who choose varieties.

 

Example:

 

7:00 – 8:30 Check emails and correspondence

8:30 – 9:00 Review patient census and plan for visitation

9:00 – 9:30 Called to ER

9:30 – 11:30 Visiting patients (Contacts, spiritual assessments, inter-disciplinary meetings, etc.)

11:30 – 12:00 Attending worship

12:00 -12:30  Lunch

12:30 -  1:00  Reading chaplain materials

1:00 – 3:00 visitation

3:00 – 4:00 meeting with colleagues on pastoral care issues

4:00 – 4:30 Review the day's progress

 

BELOW ARE THE SCOPE, PURPOSE, POLICY, MAJOR SERVICES, COMMUNITY CLERGY FOR YOUR INFORMATION

 

SCOPE

This policy has hospital-wide application including community clergy.

 

PURPOSE

To outline the purpose and major services of Pastoral Care Services, thus enabling effective coordination with other patient care departments. The department provides an on-going service of offering emotional and spiritual support to patients, their families, and hospital employees. The chaplains endeavor to support the individual's spiritual resources, promote peace of mind and help establish emotional stability as part of the healing team.

 

POLICY

Pastoral Care Services is the hospital's primary source of offering emotional and spiritual support for patients, their families and hospital employees and providing guidance and direction relevant to the spiritual climate of the institution as a whole.

Pastoral Care Services is concerned with the total person on the basis of the understanding that there is an interdependence of spirit, mind and body. Personnel of Pastoral Care shall offer their ministry on an interfaith basis. Hospital staff, patients' families/friends and community clergy are encouraged to make referrals to the Pastoral Care Services.

 

A. Major Services:

1. To respond to crisis situations

2. To visit patients scheduled for procedures

3. To visit referrals daily

4. To visit new admissions

5. To make routine visits

6. To assess spiritual needs of patients

7. To support and encourage the hospital Prayer Ministry

8. To offer individual and group grief care

9. To attend inter-disciplinary and leadership meetings

10. To provide regular interfaith worship and other special services

11. To maintain contact with community clergy

 

B. Community Clergy/Patient Visitation

In order to safeguard the privacy and confidentiality rights of patients, community clergy who wish to visit patients shall be expected to follow the guidelines outlined below:

1. They may visit patients who are members of their specific congregation or faith, or patients who have specifically requested their services. Visits will be in compliance with confidentiality laws.

2. At the patient's request, Pastoral Care Services will contact community clergy and pass on any information the patient wishes to convey.

3. Pastoral Care Services is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The chaplains are in-house Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. At other times, the on-call chaplain may be contacted by dialing the hospital operator.

4. Pastoral Care Services is responsible for the care and use of the Stephenson Chapel, which is located on the first floor close to the Main Lobby of the hospital. The Chapel is open to persons of all faiths for quiet meditation.

5. Pastoral Care Services must pre-approve any activities, including religious services, to be held in the Hospital/institution Chapel.