Palmyra Medical Center Albany, Georgia

1. Palmyra Medical CenterAlbany, Georgia Pastoral Associate Chaplain Training November 9, 2011

2. Clinical Chaplaincy Pastoral Care of Patients in the Hospital Context

3. The Goals of Hospital Chaplaincy Training • Prepare theChaplain for the “Crisis Nature” of Clinical Ministry • Give New Insights & Techniques for Effective Care of Hospital Patients • Develop a Didactic stylethat facilitates the Flow of God’s Grace between Chaplain & Patient.

4. Palmyra Medical CenterMission Statement Above all else, we are committed to the care and improvement of human life. In recognition of this commitment, we will strive to deliver high quality, cost effective healthcare in the communities we serve.

5. PMC Core Values In pursuit of our mission, we believe the following value statements are essential & timeless: • We recognize & affirm the unique & intrinsic worth of each individual. • We treat all those we serve with compassion & kindness. • We act with absolute honesty, integrity & fairness in the way we live our lives. • We trust our colleagues as valuable members of our health care team & pledge to treat one another with loyalty, respect & dignity.

6. Institutional Care-giving • Dependent, in part, on the Mission & Philosophy of the Hospital. • “Congregation” is more Diverse (Pluralism). • Chaplain is often not treated with the Reverence & Respect of the local church Pastor. • Chaplain is expected to be a Loyal member of the Palmyra Medical Center Care-giving Team of Professionals. • Chaplains take a message of Hope to those who are usually looking for a Word from God.

7. Understanding the Clinical Environment • Helplessness & Loss of Freedom • Fear of the Unknown • Anxiety about Illness • Fear of Pain, Handicap, Deformity • Fear of Dying & Death • Separation from Loved Ones • Concerns about Job • Worry about Finances • Sense of Guilt

8. Pastoral Care asMinistry of Presence Presence means to be, • Cognitively & Emotionally Connected with your Body to Really Care for the Hurting • Engaging the Existing, sometimes Painful, Life Structures of Patients to Really Care • Caring as a non-threatening Presence - Conveying the Message to Patient & Family, “Your body, as well as your spirit, is being Cared for.”

9. The Art of Caring The Ministry of the Hospital Chaplain: • Encourage Patients to Disclose freely who they are (Story) & their Concerns • Help Patients Interpret & Understand their Situation • Find ways to Reframe negatives into Positives • Strive for Accurate Empathyby acknowledging the Depth of their Struggle • Become Aware of your Own Issues & Personal Baggage (Transference & Counter Transference issues) • Be Relationally Congruent

10. Basic Principles of Communication We Communicate, • By Listening (focus on patient) • By being Present “where you are” • By Not Giving the “Right” Answer • By Validating the Patient’s Presence • By Asking Permission (questions) • By Giving Priority to Medical Staff

11. Visitation Guidelines • Dress Appropriately • Get Information from nurse Before Visit • Locate Patient • Knock • Assess Situation • Know where to Sit/Stand • Focus on Patient • Exit room if (Dr., food or Visitors) Enter • Give Patient Nothing (Water, Food, Meds, etc.) • Do not give Medical Opinions/Advice • Do not Talk as if Patient is Not Present • Keep you Politics to yourself • Do not Talk Too Much • Keep visit Short

12. Chaplain’s Responsibility • Approach Patients with Love & Compassion • Be Sensitive to Patient Needs & Concerns • Focus on Patient’s Agenda (not yours) • Be aware of Family’s Response to you • Assess Religious Background • Make Religious Rites Available on Request • Make use of spiritual Songs, Scripture & Prayer with Patients who are mentally incapacitated • Let them tell their Stories while you Listen • What are their Spiritual Needs?

13. Pastoral Care to the Bereaved • Validate Their Emotions • Do not Prescribe(+)/Proscribe(-) Feelings • Listen to the Grieving person • Do Not take sides in mourner’ Struggle • Help the Mourner(s) achieve Balance between Positive & Negative Feelings • Stay in touch with Your Own Feelings • Touch Appropriately

14. Common Patterns of Grief • Postponer • Displacer • Replacer • Minimizer • Somaticizer

15. Challenges for the Chaplain • Although Confidentiality is vital, Hospital Policies Govern requirements for Documentation • Chaplain must be able to Effectively Care for Patients & Contribute as a Loyal member of the PMC Care-giving Team • Chaplain, as a member of Hospital Care-giving Team, must be able to Contribute in a Participative Manner to total team effort, yet remain faithful to Ministerial Purpose

16. Challenges for the Chaplain (cont’d) • Chaplain must Contribute with Professional Conduct when assisting in identifying needs of patients (Physical, Emotional & Spiritual) • Seek to Gain Partnership with Doctors & Nurses, yet Observe Clear Boundaries (Doctor’s Lounge off limits, etc.) • Seek to Deal with Death both Socially & Personally (team, family & you) • Holding someone’s Hand as Death comes

17. Challenges for the Chaplain (cont’d) • Caring for those who Mourn (family, care team, etc.) • Conduct Worship Services Only at the Hospital’s Request & Approval • Diversity of Religious Practices • Being Sensitive to & Aware of Timing for Theological Presentations/ Dialogue

18. Things to Remember • Presence is more important than words • Listening is the Primary Pastoral Task • Be Available to give Support & Helpful Information • Each Person & Crisis is Different • Find ways to “be with” people of different faiths in the Various Ways people Handle Crises • Illness, Hospitalization, Pain & Drugs may alter how you have experienced a person previously

19. Things to Remember (cont’d) • Never Force your Feelings, Attitudes, & Values on Patient, Family or Care Team • Determine the ability of the patient/family to accept New Stress filled Situations • Be Empathetic, not Sympathetic • Be Aware of the anxiety level of patient/family • Accept patient/family where they are • Allow patient/family to Determine the Agenda • Be Honest, Genuine, Authentic, Sincere & Caring

20. Things to Remember (cont’d) • Important for Hospital Care-givers/ Employees to know that Chaplain Cares about them also • Pastoral Associate Chaplains are Volunteers who help shape the image of Patient Care at PMC but may NEVER speak to the Media in Hospital’s behalf (wear badge only at Phoebe) • REMEMBER: Proverbs 17:22 says: “A merry heart does good like a medicine.”

21. Infection Control • Is everyone’s responsibility • Hand-washing (sanitizing) is a MUST • Follow Hospital Infection Control Rules

22. Other Concerns • Hospice - Helping patients face End of Life Issues • HIPPA - Health Information Portability & Accountability Act is a set of Federal Rules & Regulations regarding patient privacy effective April 14,2003 (handling patient information) • Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) - Interfaith education for Hospital Ministry

23. Questions