What is a chaplain resident?
The chaplain certification process requires a one-year residency at a hospital, military entity or any other institution that offers chaplaincy services. During this time, residents undergo intensive training to learn to effectively communicate and provide solace to those who need and desire the assistance. We learn to give appropriate care, not just engage in friendly conversation.
What inspired you to become a chaplain?
The realization that everyone needs help sometimes. After experiencing some very difficult times, and being supported through them by caring people, I felt a calling to become a chaplain. I returned to school, earned a degree in Divinity and became a pastor of a church.
What kind of education and training is required to become a chaplain?
A Masters of Divinity, ordination, ecclesiastical endorsement, 1600 supervised clinical hours as a resident and one year of full-time chaplaincy. After all this, the person can seek certification from the Association of Professional Chaplains.
What are your job duties?
As part of Spiritual Care, I provide spiritual and emotional support to members of the UCLA hospital community who are having difficulty coping with illness and its attendant stresses. The emotional and spiritual are important components of health. We're part of the healthcare team that includes doctors, nurses and social workers. Patients and their family members as well as staff are encouraged to use our services.
Are there any misconceptions about a chaplain's duties?
Yes, most people think that chaplains primarily tend to the dying. We also care for non-terminal patients. We can discuss non-medical topics including marital and financial concerns; provide grief support, counseling and prayer. Often, people experiencing grief from illness also become aware of grief and losses from other areas of their lives. We also provide faith-specific services such as sacraments, upon request.
How do family members benefit from chaplaincy services?
Here's an example: I cover several intensive care units. Family members will often sit by their loved one's bedside to talk and provide comfort; however, most of the time, the visitor or caretaker also needs help in coping with the uncertainty and sadness of the situation.
Another vivid example took place sometime ago. A family member was trying to deal with her father's serious illness. She was trying to find ways to take care of herself and her family while being fully available to her dad. I met with her almost daily for a couple of weeks to give her emotional support and encouragement as she coped with her grief.
How do you help staff members?
Pastoral Care sponsors "Tea for the Soul" to give nurses and others an opportunity to unwind, reflect and replenish. In addition to the tea service, a chaplain or chaplain resident is available to provide spiritual support.
How do you restore yourself?
As part of our training, we meet with fellow chaplain residents as a group and learn to take care of each other. Plus, we're encouraged to relax at the UCLABotanical Gardens or the chapel.
What do you do to relax?
My wife, who is a marriage and family therapist, and I enjoy watching movies, going to restaurants and pampering our two dogs. We're actually both homebodies, but, we do hope to travel in the future when time permits. |
