Provides clinical pastoral care to patients, inmates or residents.
Plans and administers programs to meet the spiritual and emotional needs of the client population. Conducts religious services; prepares and delivers sermons and other talks. Administers religious rites. Instructs and advises individuals in matters of faith. Counsels individuals having emotional or spiritual problems; suggests actions to overcome or alleviate these problems. Leads group counseling sessions. Organizes special events for patients, inmates or residents. Supervises the activities of community clergy, institutional clergy, volunteers and others who assist with religious activities.
Knowledge of the emotional and religious needs of the client population. Knowledge of pastoral counseling and treatment techniques. Knowledge of the principles of effective human relations. Knowledge of the theological concepts and worship practices of different religious denominations. Ability to accurately identify individual psychological problems and suggest appropriate solutions. Ability to plan and administer a program of clinical pastoral care. Ability to organize programs of religious worship and related activities. Ability to communicate effectively.
Ordination as a minister, priest or rabbi with current ecclesiastical endorsement, or the accepted equivalent of ordination for the respective faith.
The equivalent of a master of divinity degree from an accredited theological school, additional clinical pastoral education and/or work experience in a clinical pastoral setting.