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Director of Pastoral Care and Patient Advocay

Job Title and Job Description

Director of Pastoral Care and Patient Advocay

Oversight of an Interfaith Spiritual Care Department and direct pastoral care for a 273 medical and psychiatric inpatient and a number of hospital campus programs which includes a homeless shelter, and substance abuse treatment programs. Supervision of Field Study Students from area Graduate Schools and Volunteers (lay and ordained) Preaching and Designing and Leading worship and memorial services.

What are some related career opportunities and job titles in your company or in your career area?

Human Rights Officer Social Worker Counselors

What education or training did you have to prepare for this career?

Education Masters of Divinity (1979) Andover Newton Theological School Bachelor of Arts (1974) University of Massachusetts, Boston Continuing Education: Field Education Supervision, United Church of Christ Polity (Harvard Divinity School) Other on-going education in areas of Heath Care, Ministry, Medical/Professional Ethics, Geriatrics, Social Work, Psychology, Management and Government Volunteer work (during and after Graduate School) for Social Work Education Program at a major hospital. pursuing professional license- Licensed Certified Social Work including On-going profession continuing education to develop new skills/knowledge and met bi-annual requirements for re-certification. Skills/Experience Leadership/Team Building: working well with all types of people and facilitate cooperation. skills in developing a supportive working environment for co-workers. Counseling/Clinical:Being an empathic leader providing counseling and crisis intervention. Skills in assessing needs for medical, psychological, spiritual intervention. Program Development: experience in development and implementation of community programs. Development of educational programs and staff and patient educational materials and networking systems

What education or training do you recommend for students today who want to enter this field?

B.A. in Social Work, Education, or Public/Human Service field Some Divinity Schools offer dual degrees- Master of Divinity/Master in Social Work

When you were in high school, did you know that you would enter this field?

Yes, I always had an interest in ministry that began in childhood.

Skills Profile

Skills UsedRating (5=Most Important thru
1=Not Important)		Comments
Artistic 4-Very Important4-Very Important4-Very Important4-Very Important 
Athletic / Physical 2-Less Important2-Less Important 
Bilingual 4-Very Important4-Very Important4-Very Important4-Very Important 
Computer Technology 4-Very Important4-Very Important4-Very Important4-Very Important 
Coordination / Using Hands, Tools, and Equipment 4-Very Important4-Very Important4-Very Important4-Very Important 
Creative Thinking 5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important 
Interpersonal 5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important 
Investigative / Fact Finding 5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important 
leadership and Supervising 5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important 
Logical Thinking 4-Very Important4-Very Important4-Very Important4-Very Important 
Math 5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important 
Mechanical Understanding 3-Somewhat Important3-Somewhat Important3-Somewhat Important 
Sales and Negotiation 5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important 
Scientific and Experimental 3-Somewhat Important3-Somewhat Important3-Somewhat Important 
Social Service / Helping Skills 5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important 
Teaching / Instructing 5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important 
Verbal Communication 5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important 
Understanding Nature, Plants, Animals 3-Somewhat Important3-Somewhat Important3-Somewhat Important 
Understanding Yourself 5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important 
Writing 5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important5-Most Important 
 

Interview By: James Gannon, M.Div., LCSW