Becoming A Hospital Chaplain: A Guide

Hospital chaplains provide spiritual and emotional guidance to patients and their families, helping them through difficult times such as a life-changing diagnosis or death. They also support doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Chaplains can come from diverse religious backgrounds and must be comfortable with flexible schedules. While educational requirements vary, most chaplains have at least a bachelor's degree in religion, theology, pastoral studies, or a related field, and many hold master's degrees or doctorates. Candidates for chaplaincy positions typically complete Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and may need to be ordained.

Education: A bachelor's or master's degree in theology, religious studies, pastoral counselling, or psychology is ideal

A hospital chaplain offers spiritual and emotional guidance and support to patients, their families, and hospital personnel. They work with individuals, couples, and families, offering support and encouragement by providing counselling services and leading worship services or prayer groups. They are representatives of religious traditions and use the insights and principles of psychology, religion, spirituality, and theology.

Education is an important aspect of becoming a hospital chaplain. Most organisations that employ chaplains require candidates to have at least a bachelor's degree. A bachelor's degree in theology, religious studies, pastoral counselling, or psychology is ideal. These subjects provide a strong foundation for the work chaplains do. Some colleges and universities offer specialised chaplain programs or degrees in spiritual care, professional chaplaincy, and pastoral counselling with a focus on healthcare.

If you are pursuing an undergraduate program, consider a concentration in religious studies, theology, ministry, counselling, or philosophy. A background in these fields is beneficial for chaplains of all religious professions. While a bachelor's degree is often the minimum requirement, many hospitals and health groups prefer candidates with a master's degree or even a Ph.D. Common advanced degrees for chaplains include a Master of Divinity (MDiv), Master of Theological Studies (MTS), or a Master of Arts in theology or ministry.

In addition to a degree, completing Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) units is essential for those seeking to work in a medical or healthcare setting. CPE training focuses on interfaith and non-denominational spiritual support and prepares chaplains to work in clinical environments. It is often provided by hospitals and accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE).

Pursuing a career as a hospital chaplain requires a strong educational foundation in fields related to theology, religious studies, and counselling. This knowledge will enable chaplains to effectively support the spiritual and emotional needs of those they serve.

Clinical pastoral education: Complete Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) training to learn about spiritual care and clinical environments

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is a professional training programme designed for spiritual care professionals, clergy/religious community leaders of all faiths, and healthcare professionals. CPE trains chaplains in interfaith and non-denominational spiritual support, as well as in providing care in a clinical environment. This training is especially important as chaplains often work in unpredictable and upsetting clinical settings.

CPE students include seminarians, clergy, non-certified chaplains, nurses, social workers, physicians, and volunteers in hospitals, hospices, and rehabilitation centres. CPE training is often provided by hospitals and medical groups, and it is frequently required by hospitals and healthcare organizations.

CPE programmes are accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE). The ACPE has a rigorous accreditation and certification process, and its training enables students to strengthen the spiritual health of people in their care and themselves.

There are four levels of CPE training: Level 1 CPE is an introductory programme that helps students develop foundational clinical skills, professional identity, and pastoral authority. Level 2 CPE is for the advanced integration of clinical skills and reflective practice, and it prepares students for board certification. The Intensive full-time summer unit is 12 weeks long and comprises 300 clinical and 100 educational hours. The Extended part-time unit is six months long, with the same number of clinical and educational hours as the Intensive full-time summer unit.

CPE interns will explore spiritual issues in healthcare and advance care planning, and they will collaborate with health professionals to better support community members. They will also have the opportunity to work with palliative care services and gain experience in inpatient, outpatient, and emergency medicine patient care settings. Through encounters with people impacted by serious illness and feedback from peers, faculty, and clinical mentors, students develop skills and new awareness of themselves and the needs of those who receive their care.

Certification: Seek certification from organisations like the National Association of Catholic Chaplains or the Association of Professional Chaplains

Certification is an important step in becoming a hospital chaplain and can be a requirement for employment. The specific certification you will need depends on your faith and the organisation you wish to be certified by.

The National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC) offers two certifications. The Certified Associate Chaplain (CAC) provides a national certification for spiritual care ministry but does not require the same level of credentials as Board Certification. The CAC is encouraged for those working in per diem, part-time, or on-call chaplaincy roles. It is also recommended for full-time chaplaincy work in areas such as prison ministry, ministry to first responders, or port ministry. The second certification offered by the NACC is the Board Certified Chaplain (BCC). Those who complete the advanced certification process are designated as BCC-PCHAC (Board Certified Chaplain – Palliative Care & Hospice Advanced Certification). This certification indicates that the chaplain has mastered the spiritual care competencies necessary for palliative care, end-of-life care, and the care of those with life-limiting conditions. To be certified by the NACC, chaplains must be Roman Catholic and demonstrate proficiency in Catholic theology and spiritual care praxis, as well as competence in the areas of Theory and Practice, Professional Identity and Conduct, Professional Practice Skills, and Organizational Leadership.

The Association of Professional Chaplains (APC) is another organisation that offers certification for chaplains. The specific qualifications and competencies required for certification are outlined in the Common Qualifications and Competencies (formerly known as the Common Standards) documents. These documents were affirmed by the constituent boards of the Council on Collaboration and outline what it means to be a professional chaplaincy care provider, pastoral counsellor, or educator.

In addition to these organisations, hospital chaplains can also seek certification from other faith-based organisations, such as the National Association of Jewish Chaplains.

Ordination: While optional, ordination is required to perform sacraments or if mandated by the employer

Ordination, or formal approval to enter the clergy, is not always necessary to become a hospital chaplain. However, it is required if you wish to perform sacraments or if mandated by your employer. Some religious organizations or church-affiliated hospitals may also require it.

If you are not ordained, you may need to provide a professional reference or endorsement from a church leader, former employer, internship supervisor, professor, or another applicable source.

To become ordained, you will need to follow the procedures of your specific faith group. For example, the Catholic Church has different requirements for ordination than Protestant denominations. Typically, you will need to complete a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in a relevant field, such as theology, religious studies, or divinity, and then pursue ordination through your religious organization.

Some common advanced degrees for chaplains include a Master of Divinity (MDiv), Master of Theological Studies (MTS), or a Master of Arts in theology or ministry. It is also possible to pursue a Master of Science in Spiritual Care, which can provide a strong foundation for professional chaplaincy.

In addition to academic requirements, some faith groups may have specific work experience requirements for ordination. For example, they may require a minimum of 2,000 hours of work or volunteer experience as a chaplain before ordaining an individual.

Work experience: Gain at least 2,000 hours of work or volunteer experience as a chaplain to develop practical skills

While the specific educational requirements for becoming a hospital chaplain vary depending on the institution and sector, there are some common steps you can take to gain the necessary work experience and practical skills. Here are some detailed instructions to help you achieve your goal of becoming a hospital chaplain:

Firstly, consider the type of organisation you would like to serve as a chaplain. Chaplains are needed in a variety of settings, including hospitals, mental health facilities, correctional institutions, children's hospitals, hospice centres, nursing homes, rehabilitation centres, and long-term care homes. Volunteering in your chosen field can provide valuable experience and help you determine if this career path is right for you. Many hospitals and healthcare organisations require chaplaincy candidates to complete Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) training, which can often be done through volunteering in a healthcare setting.

CPE training is specifically designed for chaplains working in medical or healthcare settings. It equips chaplains with the skills to provide interfaith and non-denominational spiritual support in a clinical environment, which can sometimes involve unpredictable and upsetting situations. This training can also be gained through a residency programme coordinated by a theological school or seminary.

In addition to CPE training, gaining practical experience through volunteering or paid work is essential. You can seek out opportunities to counsel and support individuals in need, whether they are patients, families, or staff members in a healthcare setting. Offer spiritual guidance, emotional support, and prayer to those facing challenging situations, such as diagnosis, surgery, injury, or the loss of a loved one. By doing so, you will develop the empathy, listening skills, and understanding that are vital to a chaplain's role.

While providing spiritual care, remember to respect the diverse religious and cultural backgrounds of those you serve. Customise your approach to meet the unique needs of each individual, taking into account their background, age, and medical condition. This demonstrates your commitment to serving all those in need, regardless of their faith or lack thereof.

Finally, it is beneficial to gain experience in a broader range of chaplaincy settings. Consider volunteering or working in settings such as police departments, correctional facilities, or military contexts, where chaplains are also in high demand. This will not only enhance your practical skills but also demonstrate your adaptability and commitment to serving diverse communities.

By following these steps and gaining at least 2,000 hours of work or volunteer experience, you will develop the practical skills and knowledge needed to become a competent and compassionate hospital chaplain.

Frequently asked questions