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Georgetown University seeks chaplains for research project

May 3, 2024
Chaplaincy in the News, Lab News & Views

Colleagues at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital are seeking chaplains for an ongoing research project:

Improving Palliative Care Teamwork in ALS – IMPACT ALS

The purpose of this study is to better understand the emotional and spiritual suffering of persons with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (pALS), and to determine how conducting a spiritual assessment can provide emotional support, improve pALS sense of wellbeing, and quality of life.

pALS will meet virtually and talk privately with one of our chaplains, who are the important team members providing emotional and spiritual support. In this study, “spiritual” includes feelings of peace, hope, finding meaning and purpose in life, and the experiences of love and connection with others or nature. The chaplain is specially qualified to understand the emotional, spiritual, religious, and cultural values of all people.

The Ask for the Chaplain:
  • Each chaplain will be assigned up to 5 pALS over the course of the study enrollment (approximately 1 year).
  • Following patient recruitment, the chaplains will be asked to meet for 3 one-hour virtual sessions over 8 weeks, and one additional one-hour meeting approximately 4 weeks later.  This is 4 hours over a 12-week period per pALS.
  • We will offer pALS an additional hour over the next 3-6 months should there be an urgent need.
Required:
  • At least 3 units of ACPE Accredited Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)
  • Ability to attend a four-hour training in May or June 2024 (date TBA)
  • Ability to attend quarterly training and education sessions for one hour from Summer 2024 – Fall 2025
  • Availability for patient meetings- 4 hours over a 12-week period per pALS, you can set the schedule that is mutually convenient for you and the pALS.
Preferred:
  • Training in Spiritual Assessment and Intervention Model (Spiritual AIM)
  • Board Certification as a chaplain
  • Palliative Care/Hospice Advanced Certification
  • Experience with neuro palliative care, especially people living with ALS
  • Compensation is $50/h for training and each patient meeting

To learn more about this opportunity:

Improving Palliative Care Teamwork in ALS- IMPACT ALS
Sponsored by the ALS Association
Contact the Principal Investigator: Michelle M. Milic, MD, FCCP
MedStar Georgetown University Hospital