How to Become a Hospice Chaplain
A hospice chaplain is an ordained minister that is licensed to provide comfort and prayer during the end stage of life to the patient. In addition, the hospice chaplain also provides spiritual guidance to the family and friends of person that is ailing. Many chaplains have congregations as well as doing their hospital visits to pray with the sick and dying, but many only serve in hospital settings.
1. Find a regionally accredited four-year college or university to pursue a liberal arts degree. You might want to take theology coursework if you are enrolled at a college that is within your demonization. The total time it takes to beginning a career as a certified chaplain with a specialization in hospice is two to four years of theological schooling, which takes place after the formal university education. A hospice chaplain may require additional training in matters of end of life stages so that the candidate is familiar with the types of issues he or she will be dealing with when they finish their training.
2. Check with your demonization and state to see what the educational requirements are beyond the bachelor degree. The amount of education required tends to vary by state and the denomination. Generally, the candidate needs to have 36 to 72 semester hours taken after the bachelor degree at a university or seminary that is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools.
3. Locate, with the help of your denomination, the best setting to complete your Clinical Pastoral Education which is required before certification for the chaplaincy. While it varies by state, the student needs approximately 1,600 hours of Clinical Pastoral Education, which is given in a clinical setting. In addition, before certification the candidate must have at least 2,000 hours of full-time experience in a chaplain setting.
4. Seek out the ordination as outlined in the denomination that you belong to; it is generally best to be ordained through a recognized faith.
5. Gather letters of recommendation which must be presented before the certification can be granted in order to show that your character is solid. These should come from leaders in the church that you serve and represent.
6. Find out from your denomination and state before you proceed with your education since you will need guidance along the way. The hospice chaplaincy is no different than seeking ordination in a church, with the main difference being the student typically works in a hospital or nursing home setting rather than an actual congregation.