Chaplain Services

Healthcare Chaplains

Professional healthcare chaplains provide pastoral care (emotional and spiritual support and assistance) for patients, families and hospital staff members. During times of illness, injury, trauma, distress, dying and death, their services include the ministry of presence, pastoral and ethical consultations, and education.

During weekday business hours, chaplains provide care in several ways. A patient, family or patient's medical team may request a pastoral visit or interventions (including prayer, scripture, counsel and religious rites). The chaplain also screens patients for likely benefit from pastoral care, looking for a larger gap between the relative impact of their clinical situation and their available coping resources. Patients who fit this criterion receive an initial visit from the chaplain to assess and address the particular situation.

During nights, weekends and holidays, chaplains provide 24-hour emergency pastoral care for immediate needs and requests of hospital patients and families. They work closely with the hospitals' Patient Care Coordinators to ensure the proper needs are met.

Chaplains collaborate with area pastors and religious leaders to ensure access to parishioners who allow visitors. When more in-depth help is indicated, chaplains often refer persons to area counselors, pastoral counselors, or psychotherapists.

Chaplains support the following healthcare facilities in our area: