Board Certification Competency Essays



Section I: Integration of Theory and Practice


ITP1: Approach to spiritual care integrated with theory of professional practice

1. Creating a Personal Theology to Do Spiritual / Pastoral Care (PSPC)

2. Creating a Personal Theology to Do Spiritual / Pastoral Care (PSPC)

1. The Gift of Healing Relationship: A Theology of Jewish Pastoral Care (JPC)

2. Bikur Cholim: A Paradigm for Pastoral Caring (JPC)

3. Wrestling Blessings: A Pastoral Response to Suffering (JPC)


ITP2: Working knowledge of psychological and sociological disciplines...


ITP3: Spiritual and emotional dimensions of human development...


ITP4: Working knowledge of different ethical theories

13. Ethics and the Care of the Sick (PSPC)

Association of Professional Chaplains Code of Ethics (APC)

Common Code of Ethics for Chaplains, Pastoral Counselors, Pastoral Educators and Students (APC)

Guidelines for the Chaplain's Role in Health Care Ethics (APC)

Bioethic Tools: Principles of Bioethics (EiM)


ITP5: Conceptual understanding of group dynamics and organizational behavior.


ITP6: Primary research and research literature informs chaplaincy and my practice


Section II: Professional Identity and Conduct Competencies


PIC1: Self-reflective identification of strengths and limitations


PIC2: Impact of feelings, attitudes, values, and assumptions on professional practice


PIC3: Attend to physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being


PIC4: Respect physical, emotional, cultural, and spiritual boundaries of others


PIC5: Use professional authority appropriately.


PIC6: Advocate for the person's in one's care.


PIC7: Function within the Common Code of Ethics for Chaplains...

13. Ethics and the Care of the Sick (PSPC)

Association of Professional Chaplains Code of Ethics (APC)

Common Code of Ethics for Chaplains, Pastoral Counselors, Pastoral Educators and Students (APC)

Guidelines for the Chaplain's Role in Health Care Ethics (APC)

Bioethic Tools: Principles of Bioethics (EiM)


Section III: Professional Practice Skills Competencies


PPS1: Establish, deepen, and conclude spiritual care relationships...


PPS2: Provide effective spiritual support that contributes to well-being...

5. Creating and Implementing a Spiritual - Pastoral Care Plan (PSPC)

15. Spiritual Care of Staff (PSPC)

27. Outcome Oriented Chaplaincy: Intentional Caring (PSPC)


PPS3: Respect diversity and differences, including culture, gender, ...


PPS4: Triage and manage crises in the practice of spiritual care


PPS5: Provide spiritual care to persons experiencing loss and grief.


PPPS6: Provide appropriate religious/spiritual resources


PPS7: Develop, coordinate, and facilitate public worship


PPS8: Facilitate theological/spiritual reflection for those in one's care


PPS9: Facilitate group processes, such as family meetings...


PPS10: ... Spiritual assessments, interventions, outcomes and care plans...


PPS11: Document one's spiritual care effectively in the appropriate records.


Section IV: Organization Leadership Competencies


OL1: Integrate spiritual care into the life and service of one's institution.


OL2: Establish and maintain professional and interdisciplinary relationships.


OL3: Understand and function within the institutional culture and systems...


OL4: Promote, facilitate, and support ethical decision-making...

13. Ethics and the Care of the Sick (PSPC)

Association of Professional Chaplains Code of Ethics (APC)

Common Code of Ethics for Chaplains, Pastoral Counselors, Pastoral Educators and Students (APC)

Guidelines for the Chaplain's Role in Health Care Ethics (APC)

Bioethic Tools: Principles of Bioethics (EiM)


OL5: Foster collaborative relationship with community clergy...