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Student Name:
Printed Name of Person
Interviewed:
Role of Individual:
Marc Roettger
Period:
1st
Lisa Freeman
Business Address:
Phone Number:
Date of Interview:
Place of Business:
1. For someone working in your field, please describe the fantasies versus realities of the job.
(fantasy vs. reality)
As a Lay Volunteer, it is easy to think that everyone is receptive to you. In a perfect world most patients
would be easy to approach, have the same values, belief system, and would smile at you. Another fantasy would
be that everyone gets to go home healthy. Reality is you will never know what personal struggle you will
encounter. In my visitations there is a mix of Protestant, Catholic, Muslim, and Jewish. A great part of the
patients have noted in their information as No Religious Preference. I have been fortunate to encounter a
person that did not want me in their room. They never said anything and stared at me with piercing eyes as the
caretaker quickly replied that they would be okay. At the same time while I walked out of the room I felt
embarrassed, but then I realized he is in the crisis.
I have also learned the responsibilities of a vocational Hospital Chaplain are working in response to
emergencies at the hospital. Besides just offering ministerial helps, the Chaplain is needed to bring peace and
understanding to a stressful health emergency. There are times chaplains will be needed in a tense situation with
an agitated individual. Many times it is not about talking to someone, it is more about encouragement, listening
in peace as a caring compassionate person. I learned also from college classes Medical Anthropology and
Psychology that a person needs to be heard in order to fully feel encouragement during a health crisis.
2. What is your current educational level? What continuing education and training are required?
(educational level and requirements)
At this time
To apply as a Lay Volunteer at The Houston Methodist Hospital it was required that I write a paper
describing my experiences with hospitals and health care and how I applied my faith to each situation. I
interviewed with the chaplains and was accepted into the Lay Volunteer training at the hospital. This lasted a
month and shadowed with a Chaplain at the hospital. After training they assigned me to work with cancer
patients, due to my work experience with Oncologist and Hematologist office.
The Spiritual Care Department offers quarterly continuing education classes, such as further training with
the hospital procedures of hospitality, how to visit with a patient that list No Religious Preference and other
informative topics.
3. Please describe the typical day to day activities of someone working in your field.
(day-to-day activities)
My supervisor Chaplain Chuck Hawkins will prepare a visitation roll of patients at the cancer floor in the
Methodist Hospital. The patient list is from 10 to 18 patients.
I will prepare by reviewing the patients information, age, religion, and how long they have been in the
hospital.
Visit all patients on the roll. This includes the Isolation Wing for transplants and regular patient rooms.
The staff recognizes some patients need to talk and the Head Nurse will make special request for patients
that are having a rough day with health or family situations.
We were told in the training session that most patients will think you are a chaplain. They will give you
their health history, hopes, and disappointments.
Depending on the visit I will ask if I can pray for them before I leave the room.
My visits can last from 3 minutes to 45 minutes. I am not on a time schedule. Priority is the patient and
making sure they know they are cared for and given respect.
4. How secure are you in your current position? What do you think is the future of your field?
(job security)
Security as a volunteer is always positive.
As for the actual future of chaplains working with patients, I am optimistic and I am cautious. The
current status of church attendance goes down as some people explore faith. This down side of attendance may be
reflected with individuals in need of spiritual care as they search for the answer of why they have a disease.
However when people face illness and possibility of the end of life, the human nature becomes active in
searching for help and a meaning for life. The healthcare team is there to take care of the physical needs. A
chaplain is there through talk therapy and encouragement.
5. What is a typical (average or lowest to highest) salary of someone working in your field?
(salary)
$31,000.00 to $64,000.00 a year.
8. What was the most difficult obstacle for you to overcome getting into your field?
My self-doubt was a huge obstacle. But I believe you have to learn from mistakes and apply them to your
life to help overcome the next hurdle. I now see a gift that I have to help patients and caregivers during crisis.
9. Is this a job you plan on doing for the rest of your working life?
This is my dream job.
Let me explain through my experience.
I had the honor of listening to a mother that had a bone marrow transplant, vomiting, weak, crying and
depressed. She had been through chemo that was designed to destroy her bone marrow; she was still losing her
hair. Along with her physical pain, she was mentally sorrowful and afraid that she would not see her son
Revised Fall 2013
graduate. I spent 40 minutes with her listening about how the medicine made her sick. She told me about her son
and his hopes for college. The patient cried as she told me about searching for God at various churches. Before I
left, I prayed for her cares and concerns. I got to visit her the next week, she was doing better and ready to go
home.
I also had the honor of visiting with a young male that was healthy and followed a strict health diet. He
began losing weight and went to the doctor. His doctor could not find a heartbeat. After emergency medical test
they found he had a tumor between his heart and lungs. They quickly put him on Life Flight for surgery to
remove the tumor that was blocking his lungs and pushing on his heart. He is actually feeling peaceful. He has
not been a part of organized religion. But he does feel there is a God and that God will help him in these days of
deep crisis.
As a volunteer, I only get to visit with these patients once a week. As a chaplain I can continually visit
the patients and find ways to offer more encouragement and lead them to find help outside of the hospital.
10. How many hours per week do you put into your job?
I volunteer one day a week with Houston Methodist Hospital. My hour of visitation starts at
1:00pm and can last for hours or just 30 minutes.
Once I become a Chaplain, I will work under normal working hours of 40 hours a week. There
will be some overtime. But when you follow your heart in a dream job, you are happy to do the work.
Interview Summary
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