Chaplains serve in many hospital settings. And some are assigned to rehabilitation units. They act as spiritual counselors to help patients, families, and the health care staff members:
- Through periods of crisis.
- Reaffirm their spiritual beliefs.
- Maintain or establish relationships with a church or house of worship.
- Make daily rounds. They offer on-call pastoral services 24 hours a day.
Chaplains may be ordained ministers or priests. They may have attended a chaplaincy or pastoral care program through a university or hospital.
Rehabilitation focuses on the whole person (physical, emotional, social, and spiritual). Because of this, the chaplain often plays a special part in helping a person with a disability cope and recover. When a hospital or rehab center does not have a chaplain, the patient's own clergy or spiritual advisor often performs these functions.