Average Hospital Chaplain Salary

Job Description

Hospital chaplains are religious ministers who help to provide spiritual comfort for patients and their families. They may read from religious texts or provide practical teaching or prayers, and some hospitals may have different chaplains for different religions. This job can be stressful, as hospital chaplains are often present during difficult times for loved ones of the deceased, and spiritual assessments may be carried out to focus on things such as mental, physical, or emotional challenges.

Hospital chaplains may help patients to obtain spiritual peace at the end of life, and help their loved ones to start a healing process at that time. Patience is an important quality in this position, as sometimes patients and families may be grieving or even angry at the circumstances. In some cases, hospital chaplains may obtain permission for organ donation or withdrawing life support from a religious view, and they often administer classes to staff members to provide spiritual assistance when necessary. They may also help medical staff to develop individualized plans which incorporate spirituality or provide services such as spiritual counseling and religious services. Complete records of all activities carried out in the job must also be documented for patients' files.

Some hospitals require their chaplains to have a bachelor's or master's degree in theology, and prior experience as a pastor or in a hospital or hospice environment may also be required. (Copyright 2019 PayScale.com)

• Interact with and build relationships with staff, clients and family members.
• Document interactions, challenges and program attendance.
• Work with community and care team to ensure care is in accord with patients' faith.
• Connect clients to appropriate clergy and counseling opportunities, and facilitate referrals to the hospice.
• Guide individuals and groups through grief and bereavement counseling and coping strategies.

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