Common standards for professional chaplaincy.

This document is one of four foundational documents affirmed by the constituent boards of the Council on Collaboration on November 7, 2004 in Portland, Maine. Collectively, these documents establish a unified voice for the six organizations that have affirmed them and describe what it means to these organizations to be a professional pastoral care provider, pastoral counselor or educator. The four documents are:

* Common Standards for Professional Chaplaincy

* Common Standards for Pastoral Educators/Supervisors

* Common Code of Ethics for Chaplains, Pastoral Counselors, Pastoral Educators and Students

* Principles for Processing Ethical Complaints

The membership of the participating groups represents over 10,000 members who currently serve as chaplains, pastoral counselors, and clinical pastoral educators in specialized settings as varied as healthcare, counseling centers, prisons or the military. The complete documents and information about each of the collaborating groups can be found on the following websites:

1. Association of Professional Chaplains (APC)

www.professionalchaplains.org

2. American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC)

www.aapc.org

3. Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE)

www.acpe.edu

4. National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC)

www.nacc.org

5. National Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC)

www.najc.org

6. Canadian Association for Pastoral Practice and Education (CAPPE/ACPEP)

www.cappe.org

For more information on the foundations of professional pastoral care see "Professional Chaplaincy: Its Role and Importance in Healthcare" available at http://www.professionalchaplains.org/professionalchaplain-services-resources-reading-room-hc-role.htm.

Qualifications of Professional Chaplaincy

The candidate for certification must:

QUA1: Provide documentation of current endorsement or of good standing in accordance with the requirements of his/her own faith tradition.

QUA2: Be current in the payment of the professional association's annual dues.

QUA3: Have completed an undergraduate degree from a college, university, or theological school accredited by a member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (www.chea.org); and a graduate-level theological degree from a college, university or theological school accredited by a member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Equivalencies for the undergraduate and/or graduate level theological degree will be granted by the individual professional organizations according to their own established guidelines.

QUA4: Provide documentation of a minimum of four units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE), the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Commission on Certification and Accreditation, or the Canadian Association for Pastoral Practice and Education (CAPPE/ACPEP). Equivalency for one unit of CPE may be considered.

Section I: Theory of Pastoral Care

The candidate for certification will demonstrate the ability to:

TPC1: Articulate a theology of spiritual care that is integrated with a theory of pastoral practice.

TPC2: Incorporate a working knowledge of psychological and sociological disciplines and religious beliefs and practices in the provision of pastoral care.

TPC3: Incorporate the spiritual and emotional dimensions of human development into the practice of pastoral care.

TPC4: Incorporate a working knowledge of ethics appropriate to the pastoral context.

TPC5: Articulate a conceptual understanding of group dynamics and organizational behavior.

Section II: Identity and Conduct

The candidate for certification will demonstrate the ability to:

IDC1: Function pastorally in a manner that respects the physical, emotional, and spiritual boundaries of others.

IDC2: Use pastoral authority appropriately.

IDC3: Identify one's professional strengths and limitations in the provision of pastoral care.

IDC4: Articulate ways in which one's feelings, attitudes, values, and assumptions affect one's pastoral care.

IDC5: Advocate for the persons in one's care.

IDC6: Function within the Common Code of Ethics for Chaplains, Pastoral Counselors, Pastoral Educators and Students.

IDC7: Attend to one's own physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

IDC8: Communicate effectively orally and in writing.

IDC9: Present oneself in a manner that reflects professional behavior, including appropriate attire and personal hygiene.

Section III: Pastoral

The candidate for certification will demonstrate the ability to:

PAS1: Establish, deepen and end pastoral relationships with sensitivity, openness, and respect.

PAS2: Provide effective pastoral support that contributes to well-being of patients, their families, and staff.

PAS3: Provide pastoral care that respects diversity and differences including, but not limited to culture, gender, sexual orientation and spiritual/religious practices.

PAS4: Triage and manage crises in the practice of pastoral care.

PAS5: Provide pastoral care to persons experiencing loss and grief.

PAS6: Formulate and utilize spiritual assessments in order to contribute to plans of care.

PAS7: Provide religious/spiritual resources appropriate to the care of patients, families and staff.

PAS8: Develop, coordinate and facilitate public worship/spiritual practices appropriate to diverse settings and needs.

PAS9: Facilitate theological reflection in the practice of pastoral care.

Section IV: Professional

The candidate for certification will demonstrate the ability to:

PRO1: Promote the integration of Pastoral / Spiritual Care into the life and service of the institution in which it resides.

PRO2: Establish and maintain professional and interdisciplinary relationships.

PRO3: Articulate an understanding of institutional culture and systems, and systemic relationships.

PRO4: Support, promote, and encourage ethical decision-making and care.

PRO5: Document one's contribution of care effectively in the appropriate records.

PRO6: Foster a collaborative relationship with community clergy and faith group leaders.

Requirements for the Maintenance of Certification

In order to maintain status as a Certified Chaplain, the chaplain must:

MNT1: Participate in a peer review process every fifth year.

MNT2: Document fifty (50) hours of annual continuing education. (Recommendation that personal therapy, spiritual direction, supervision, and/or peer review be acceptable options for continuing education hours.)

MNT3: Provide documentation every fifth year of current endorsement or of good standing in accordance with the requirements of his/her own faith tradition.

MNT4: Be current in the payment of the professional association's annual dues.

MNT5: Adhere to the Common Code of Ethics for Chaplains, Pastoral Counselors, Pastoral Educators and Students.

The most influential of all educational factors is the conversation in a
child's home.
--William Temple