Pastoral Care
The chaplains of St. Joseph's Hospital represent a vital component of our overall commitment to outstanding patient care. Chaplains bring healing through spiritual care.
A chaplain may be reached by calling the hospital operator ("0") or by asking a nurse to arrange a visit.
How can pastoral care help me?
The chaplains of St. Joseph's Hospital offer emotional and spiritual support for patients and their loved ones during their hospital stay or outpatient visit. Chaplains can be beneficial in their ability to interpret the hospital environment to the family and communicate the concerns of the patient to the hospital staff. The chaplains, through their ministry of listening, counseling, and advocacy, share God's love and healing care with those in need.
What services do the chaplains provide?
St. Joseph's chaplains offer worship in the chapel or at the bedside of any patient.
Chaplains are assigned to every nursing unit for routine visits and prayer. They utilize the past experiences of the patient to assist in the healing process.
Chaplains visit outpatients and their families in surgery, cardiac catheterization and other areas of the hospital.
Our chaplains are experienced in pastoral counseling and assisting patients in advanced directives (organ donors, living wills and medical powers of attorney).
They also offer bereavement support and bi-monthly memorial services in the hospital chapel.
The services of the chaplains are available daily with round-the-clock emergency coverage.
Who can use the services of pastoral care?
Pastoral care is available to all St. Joseph's staff, patients and their families. Our chaplains provide care to persons of any faith or background.
About our staff.
Our board certified chaplains are highly trained and offer a non-anxious, compassionate presence to those they serve. Chaplains are approved for ministry at St. Joseph's Hospital by their faith groups or denominations. Our chaplains have graduate degrees in theology or related fields, 1600 hours or more of clinical training, and have passed rigorous peer review to become board certified.
Chaplains work closely with area clergy, physicians and staff to meet our patients' spiritual needs. Our pastoral care is not about religion but it is about using religious belief to bring about healing of the whole person. The patient's personal minister or clergy is encouraged to be a part of the healing team. Our chaplains support them in their ministry. Together they try to make each patient's faith commitment part of the total care at St. Joseph's Hospital.
