Pastoral Care Committee Bylaws

GUIDELINES FOR VOLUNTEER CHAPLAINS

1. Each Chaplain must become a member of the Lea Regional Medical Center (LRMC/Hospital) Pastoral Care Committee.

2. Each new Chaplain must complete an application, pass a back ground check (effective Jan. 2006), be approved by the Pastoral Executive Committee and the LRMC Board of Trustees and must be properly oriented before beginning voluntary service.

3. Each Chaplain will serve for one day a month, Monday through Friday, for a minimum of two hours between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.  and will be on-call for that day and night for spiritual care assistance. Persons on duty Friday will be on call for the following Saturday.  Persons on duty Monday will be on call for the Sunday prior.

4. The Chaplain will be responsible for informing local ministers who have members among the new admissions at LRMC with patient’s permission.

5. He/she will give special attention to:

• Out-of-town patients
• Un-churched patients
• Bereaved patients
• Critical patients
• Pre-surgical patients
• Post-surgical and medical patients
• New admissions
• Follow-up

6. All information while serving will be CONFIDENTIAL.

7. Chaplains on duty are required to wear a Hospital name badge.

8. Chaplains will be under the direct supervision of the Executive Committee of the Pastoral Care Committee.

9. The Chaplain will in no way impose on patients or employees his/her particular denominational beliefs.

10. Chaplains will support the Hospital and it’s policies and procedures.

11. Chaplains may not accept gifts from patients or employees.

12. Chaplains should dress business casual or better.

13. Chaplains may be called for duty if a disaster occurs in the community and the hospital is in need of assistance for spiritual care.

I. CHAIRPERSON

The Pastoral Care Department is a committee of Lea Regional Medical Center and will therefore have a Chairperson.  The Chairperson will be elected by the executive committee annually and can be re-elected for consecutive terms.  The term will run from January 1 until December 31.  The Chairperson is directly responsible to the delegated Hospital liaison.

II. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee will consist of five members, each elected for a one-year term.  The five will include the Chairperson and four other elected members.

An Executive Committee member will give an in depth orientation to all new members who have been approved before the new member is allowed to begin duty.  This Committee will meet prior to the monthly Pastoral Care Committee meetings to plan and review the ongoing programs and issues of the Pastoral Care Committee and of Lea Regional Medical Center.

III. PURPOSE

The purpose of the Pastoral Care Committee is to bring a healing and supportive ministry of the church to the patients, patients’ families, staff, employees and personnel of Lea Regional Medical Center.  Through counseling, visiting, prayers, and attentive concern, the healing relationship between Hospital, patient, and physician is to be enhanced.

IV. ELEGIBILITY

Chaplains must serve a church, synagogue or Salvation Army post or be recognized as a licensed and/or ordained minister  in good standing in accordance to state laws within an established congregation.  Chaplains must maintain a strict adherence to Hospital schedule and programs instituted by the Pastoral Care Committee and Lea Regional Medical Center.

V. DUTIES

1. Check new admissions (available at the designated area).
2. Notify pastor of church listed on admission form of new admissions of member in the hospital with patient’s permission and in accordance to HIPAA rules.
3. Check with nursing station on surgical floor, MICU, and Emergency Room for critical cases.
4. Visit as many un-churched patients from out of town, those temporarily without a pastor, and staff as time permits.
5. Chaplains on duty will be identified by their Hospital name badges.
6. Assist volunteer services in special programs, commencements, and counseling.
7. Be available on call to the Hospital 24 hours a day during assignment.
8. Any other duties that may be needed.

VI. STANDING

Chaplains must meet certain requirements to be considered in good standing.  Chaplains who are considered to be in good standing will be eligible for Hospital amenities (i.e., turkeys for Thanksgiving, small gifts for Hospital Week, etc.).

Chaplains must meet the following requirements in order to be in good standing:

1. Serve minimum one day a month; minimum eight times per year.
2. Chaplains must sign in at the chapel when serving.
3. Attend minimum one monthly meeting per quarter.
4. Must have completed and/or updated all required Hospital training, orientation, etc.

The Pastoral Care Committee will review each Chaplain’s participation quarterly.  If the above-listed requirements are not met, he/she will be notified by the Pastoral Committee that they have been put on Inactive Standing for the next quarter.  If a Chaplain is on probationary status for more than two consecutive quarters, they will be terminated from the Pastoral Care Committee.  A terminated chaplain may reapply by following the standard application process.

Chaplains can take a sabbatical from the Pastoral Care Committee for up to six months by notifying the Pastoral Committee in writing the dates and reason for the sabbatical.

VII. MONTHLY MEETING

A noon lunch meeting will be held every month for the Pastoral Care Committee.  All members are urged to attend for updating and exchange of views on pastoral matters pertaining to Hospital Chaplaincy and for continuing education.  In order to remain in good standing, each Chaplain must attend one monthly meeting per quarter.

VIII. AMENDMENTS

Amendments may be made to these bylaws in the form of a two third (2/3) majority vote at any Pastoral Care Committee Meeting with prior notification.  Amendments must be submitted in writing to the Administration office and the Lea Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees will have final approval.