Comparing 2004 & 2017 Common Qualifications

What Has Changed?

1. The main title has been changed and we are now using the word “qualifications” rather than “standards” in order to more clearly differentiate this document with the APC Standards of Practice for Professional Chaplains.
2. The title for each section has been changed to wording that brings more clarity to the areas of professional chaplaincy that they are describing.
3. The term “patients” has been changed to “care recipients” in order to be more inclusive of professional chaplains who do not serve in a health care context.
4. The term “pastoral” has been changed to “spiritual,” “professional,” or “chaplain” where appropriate in order to be more inclusive of religious and spiritual traditions that do not identify with the term “pastoral.”
5. Certain competencies have been reworded to articulate more clearly the focus and meaning of the competency.
6. Certain competencies have been reordered so that a section might flow more logically.
7. Section III: Professional Skills Competencieshas gone from9 competencies to11 competencies. The meeting of all the competencies in this section remains a requirement for full and provisional certification.  If one or more of this section is missed the candidate is automatically recommended for “Subsequent Appearance Only.” 
8. The former competency PRO5: Document one’s contribution of care effectively in the appropriate records, has been moved from Section IV to Section III because of the increased importance of documentation to professional chaplaincy.  It is therefore now a competency that if not met will automatically result in a “Subsequent Appearance Only” recommendation from a committee.
9. Two new competencies have been added, taking us from 29 competencies to 31.  These are: ITP6: Articulate how primary research and research literature inform the profession of chaplaincy and one’s spiritual care practice.  And PPS9: Facilitate group processes, such as family meetings, post trauma, staff debriefing, and support groups.