Spiritual Care volunteers assist the hospital's professional chaplain by making assigned rounds to patients, families and staff. The volunteer becomes an additional referral source to alert the chaplain of follow-up needs a patient or family may have. The goal is to create an environment where spiritual, emotional and physical healing can occur.
The Volunteer …
- Offers empathetic listening and supportive presence
- Offers prayer and/or appropriate readings only when mutually agreed upon by the patient and/or family
- Notifies the patient's faith community if the patient so desires and grants permission
- Documents observations made and any actions taken, or follow-up needs on cards filed in the Spiritual Care office
- Communicates to the chaplain any pertinent observations
The Volunteer does not …
- Give advice or proselytize
- Attempt to "fix" the patient's problems
- Become involved in the patient's physical care
- Become involved in legal or ethical issues or promote his/her own religious beliefs
- Share his/her own personal problems, emotional needs, or health experiences
The process to become a volunteer includes …
- Completing a Spiritual Care volunteer application
- Interview with the chaplain
- Health screening
- Satisfactory completion of a background check
- Orientation including 8 classroom hours and 8 hours of practicum
- Being a member of a faith community
- Making a 6-month commitment of consistent service
- Being at least 21 years of age
If you are interested, please contact The Reverend Maryellen Garnier at 650-988-7568.