What to Know about Hospital Chaplains

Clergyman, attorney, and former law professor Stafford Henderson Byers has practiced law for over two decades. He has also served as pastor at the Northeastern Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists in Queens, New York, since 1982. In addition to these roles, Stafford Henderson Byers previously offered guidance and support as a chaplain at New York's Coler Hospital.

While most people are well aware of the inpatient and outpatient medical services that hospitals provide, it's important for patients and families to understand that there are many other services and resources available to them in a hospital setting. One of these resources is the hospital chaplain.

In addition to their work providing spiritual guidance to religious patients and their families, hospital chaplains provide many other services to individuals, regardless of their religious faith or spiritual beliefs. The main goal of a chaplain is to connect with people in their time of need. Chaplains often provide crisis intervention, bereavement counseling, and general counseling prior to and following surgical procedures. It's also important to note that chaplains are available not only to patients and families, but also hospital staff members.

Hospital chaplains are typically required to hold a college degree in divinity, theology, religion, or a related field. Many hospitals also require that their chaplains hold certification from a group such as the Association of Professional Chaplains, the National Association of Catholic Chaplains, or the National Association of Jewish Chaplains.