Chaplaincy

Prerequisites

Prerequisites for Becoming A DRMC Associate Chaplain
have a sound theological background
be a fully ordained minister to his/her denomination
possess a BA/BS and Master of Divinity degree, or its equivalent
pastoring a local church, working in a ministerial role, or retired from
ministry

Exceptions to these prerequisites will be decided by the Friends of Pastoral Care.

Clinical Training
While prior clinical training is helpful, a minister need not have had CPE. Participants are expected to be committed to their personal and professional growth and commit themselves to the training offered through the program.

Job Summary
The Associate Chaplain serves as a religious presence to the patient care team; he/she is responsible for meeting the patient's and/or family's spiritual or emotional needs within DRMC. The on-call Chaplain makes regular rounds in the Medical Center and responds to requests for his/her assistance in emergency or crisis situations on a timely basis. The Chaplain provides pastoral care for patients and families from varied spiritual and religious backgrounds. While performing his/her on-call duties, the Chaplain will cooperate with existing services and coordinate his/her efforts with other medical and support staff. All Chaplains shall abide by the Code of Ethics of The Association of Professional Chaplains. The Associate Chaplain's Program is coordinated through DRMC's Department of Pastoral Care; the contact person is the full-time Chaplain (799-3731).

Guidelines         [Top]

1. Chaplains must be approved by a committee of Associate Chaplains.

2. Chaplains must complete DRMC's orientation and attend available in-service training.

3. Regular Chaplaincy services will be provided seven days a week based on a predetermined schedule; the Friends of Pastoral Care will determine hours.

4. If Chaplains have a schedule conflict he/she will need to:
     a) arrange coverage with another Chaplain,
     b) notify the full-time director (799-3731)
     c) notify the hospital operator - 799-2100
     d) notify Connie Bullins - 799-2240

5. Chaplains shall work in conjunction with the full-time director with providing patient care. In some instances, the on-call Chaplain may not need to respond to emergencies if the full-time director is present. If necessary, the full-time director will page the on-call Chaplain.

6. The following schedule is suggested for the on-call Chaplain:
      a) Report to the Volunteer Service area to secure beeper, access badge, keys, surgery schedule
       b) Check journal and/or meet with previous day's Chaplain for referrals
       c) Make rounds of Emergency Department, Critical Care, and Surgical Area Waiting Rooms, and nurse's stations
      d) Visit individual patients as requested
      e) Respond to pages, Code (303), deaths, physician's and nursing referrals
      f) Document visit in notebook, leave referrals for next Chaplain in notebook
      g) If necessary, meet with incoming Chaplain the following morning
      h) Return beeper, access badge, keys the following morning
      i) Off going Chaplain leave designated parking space open for incoming Chaplain

7. Priorities will be as follows:
      a) Families of patients during "303" Codes and families of trauma patients in the ED
      b) Bereaved families, families of patients in the ED, Surgery, & Critical Care areas
      c) Patients requesting Chaplains
      d) Staff referrals

8. All information while serving as Chaplain is confidential

9. Chaplains on duty must wear Chaplain identification

10. Chaplains will coordinate and resolve any concerns with DRMC staff through the full-time director of pastoral care services.

Benefits         [Top]

1. DRMC Associate Chaplains receive free meals during their 24-hour on-call day.

2. DRMC will provide name tags for Chaplains.

3. Active DRMC Associate Chaplains are eligible for employee discounts on prescription medicines, for their own use, dispensed at the DRMC pharmacy.

4. Chaplains are provided with accident liability insurance, to the extent it is provided other volunteers.

5. The DRMC Department of Pastoral Care will provide letters of reference for those Chaplains, seeking employment, based on an evaluation of their Chaplain services rendered.

6. Chaplains may sign up for DRMC education courses.

7. Chaplains receive free flu shots, and TB tests.

8. Chaplains receive free blood pressure testing at all times through the DRMC Occupational Health Clinic.

9. DRMC will pay the membership fee for Associate Chaplains who wish to join the Virginia Chaplains Association, as an Associate Member.

10. Chaplains are provided with a designated parking space while on duty. The supplied rear view window hang tag should be displayed.

11. DRMC requests the insurance payment only for services rendered for active Associate Chaplains and their immediate family (spouses and dependent children living at home). The amount covered by DRMC is not to exceed $1000 in a calendar year. The Chaplain must have health insurance to be eligible for this benefit. Bills received for services rendered at DRMC after insurance coverage should be brought to the full-time Chaplain. The full-time Chaplain will make arrangements with the Billing Department to have the account marked paid.

To the Applicant         [Top]

Dear Applicant,

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Chaplain at Danville Regional Medical Center. At DRMC, we are very fortunate to have a dedicated group of Chaplains. In their role, Chaplains provide a ministerial presence for patients, their family members and friends, hospital staff members, and medical staff.

The Friends of Pastoral Care of Danville Regional Medical Center is committed to supporting the Chaplain's Program. This Board upholds the enclosed department of Pastoral Care's Mission Statement; and the Goals, Benefits, Expectations, Guidelines, and Prerequisites for all approved DRMC Chaplains.

We ask that you fervently pray about your desire to become a part of this program. If you believe you meet the requirements for becoming a Chaplain at DRMC, please complete an application, also found on our web page and return it to -

Chaplain Brenda Lee, BCC
DRMC
142 South Main Street
Danville, VA 24541

If you meet our requirements, upon receipt of your application, an interview may be set up with the Chairperson of the DRMC Chaplain's Association, and myself. The purpose of the interview is for you to be able to tell us about your interest in our program, ask questions about our program, and for us to learn more about your background and call to ministry.

Thank you again for your interest in the Danville Regional Medical Center's Chaplain's Association.

Sincerely,

Brenda Lee

Reverend Brenda Lee, BCC
Director of Pastoral Care Services

Chaplain Directory         [Top]

Application Form         [Top]

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