This department provides a ministry of spiritual care, encouragement, hope, healing, and communication among patients, families and staff.

Scope of Patient Care
The Pastoral Care department represents the hospital in the community, by offering orientation, speakers, and seminars.

Department Duties

• Provide patient care services to all components of Salem Hospital.
• Respond to referrals from Home Health Services.
• Provide Sunday worship services to patients at Psychiatric and Rehabilitation departments.
• Provide sacramental services to all patients upon request in all the hospital facilities.
• Provide counsel and support to patients and families during their hospitalization.
• Respond to all traumas and codes by locating families and informing them of the situation
• Provide crises assistant to families and patients.
• Facilitate Critical Incident Stress Debriefing sessions for staff after particularly difficult traumas.
• Respond to all staff referrals.
• Provide counsel and support to staff members and medical staff.
• Community education.
• Facilitate grief groups.

Department Professionals

• Ordained Ministers

Educational/Skill Requirements

• Masters of Divinity degree

More information
You can also go to the Professional Information link to see what training is needed, the current job opportunities, salary ranges, etc.  You may also want to look at the national employment picture for these careers from the U.S.Department of Labor.