The Certificate of Chaplaincy, Pastoral and Spiritual Care is an online professional development program that will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to provide effective chaplaincy and pastoral care services.
In this online chaplaincy and pastoral care course you will learn how to build rapport and provide counselling to clients using a range of counselling techniques, including psychoanalysis and cognitive behavioural therapies. This professional development program will also help you develop the self-awareness and theory required work successfully as part of a pastoral care team – which may include chaplains, volunteers and faith group representatives – to evaluate and implement a pastoral care program.
At the end of this course you will acquire the knowledge and skills required to provide effective pastoral and spiritual care; and work within a structured counselling framework. You may seek voluntary or paid work as part of a pastoral care team in a variety of settings, including: hospitals; residential and aged-care facilities; community outreach centres; and churches.
Course Structure
Unit 1 - Planning for pastoral and spiritual care
- Pastoral and spiritual care work
- Legislatory requirements
- Privacy and confidentiality
- Health and safety
- Equal opportunities
- Anti-discrimination legislation
- Child protection legislation
- Organisation policies and procedures
- Privacy
- Digital media and social media
- Records management
- Code of practice
- Professional and ethical standards
- Rights and responsibilities
- Breaches of client rights
- Advocacy groups
- Informed consent
- Communication techniques
- Pastoral networks and resources
- Pastoral care full range of services
- World religions
- Limitation and parameters
- Escalation and crisis procedures
- Collaborative processes
- Conflicting interests
- Reporting potential crisis situations
- Threatening behaviours
- Opportunities for referral
- Eligibility criteria
- Referral processes
- Internal and external contacts
- Networks benefit organisations
- Spiritual care support
- Establish professional supervision
- Mentoring requirements
- Definition of supervision
- Frequency of supervision
- Establishing rapport
- Active listening
- Feedback to improve pastoral care
- Receiving feedback
- Review own communication
- Professional development
Unit 2 - Use communication to build relationships
- Communicating effectively with clients
- Building rapport
- Compromising behaviours
- Active listening
- Effective questioning
- Data security
- Professional boundaries
- Formal presentations
- Media resources
- Communication protocols
- Exchanging information
- Tips for providing information to clients
- Policies and procedures
- Law and ethics
- Specific customer needs
- Seeking help from others
- Referral processes
- Communication barriers
- Conflict resolution
- Threatening behaviours
- Meetings and agendas
- Facilitating meetings
- Discussing relevant issues
- Effective group discussions
- Meeting participation
- Conflict between participants
- Recording/minute taking
- Distribution of minutes / reports
- Evaluation processes
- Continuous improvement
Unit 3 - Specialist interpersonal and counselling interview skills
- Communicate effectively
- Communication barriers
- Communication models
- Environmental and individual factors
- Cultural issues
- Use of language
- Disabilities
- Signage and symbols
- Client-counsellor relationship
- Communication checklist
- Questioning skills
- Client-centred interactions
- Establishing rapport
- Empathy and sympathy
- Honesty and openness
- Body language
- Conflict resolution
- Learning styles
- Non-verbal communication cues
- Communication techniques
- The rules of communication
- Feedback
- Case note taking
- Security of records
- Legal and ethical requirements
- Privacy
- Duty of care
- Counselling interviewing skills
- Sequence of an interview
- Counselling skills
- Key objectives
- The initial session
- Assessment interviews
- Standardised assessments
- Engaging with client
- Structured approach
- Specialised counselling techniques
- Process of negotiation
- Reframing and focusing
- Solution-focused questions
- Changing client behaviour
- Goal setting
- Self-advocacy
- Cognitive behaviour therapy
- Self-care
- Shifting client’s feelings
- Coping strategies
- Strong client emotional reactions
- Distress or crisis
- Self-evaluation
- Self-awareness
- Effect of own values and with client
- Managing own values and attitudes
- Mutual respect
- Training and development
- Action learning sets
- Self-development plans
- Implement goals
- Conferences and networking
- Professional memberships
Unit 4 - Provide pastoral and spiritual care
- Spiritual and pastoral issues
- Monitoring mental wellbeing
- Spiritual wellbeing
- Determine specific issues
- Client or community’s needs
- Identify pastoral and spiritual care
- Develop a support plan
- Individual or community support
- Significant life events and attitudes
- Providing ritual symbol
- Providing support to family
- Support networks for ongoing support
- Assisting carers
- Role of pastoral care workers
- Engaging in discussion groups
- Ethical and moral guidelines
- Organisation procedures
- Organisation protocols
- Pastoral care in schools
- Review and reflect on pastoral care
- Provision and support
- Evaluate needs with supervisor
- Performance reflection
- Identify ways to improve practices
- Professional supervision
- Give and receive feedback
- Acting on feedback
- Training
- Professional development
- Maintaining records
- Documenting care
- Privacy and confidentiality
- Disclosure and requirements
Study Hours
Estimated duration 60 Hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% Online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Testimonials
I have found the course to be invaluable in gaining the knowledge and skills required for me to provide effective pastoral and spiritual care within my role. The course enabled me to work at my own pace due to work commitments. Modules were assessed quickly and the comments were very encouraging. I have not hesitation in recommending Australian Online Courses to others here in New Zealand
Sharon | New Zealand | Certificate of Chaplaincy, Pastoral and Spiritual Care
A thoroughly enjoyable experience. Study resources provided contained all relevant information. Modules were assessed in a timely manner and comments from assessors were encouraging. Knowledge gained was relevant and I would have no hesitation in recommending Australian Online Courses
D. Shaw, Leanyer, NT | Certificate of Chaplaincy, Pastoral and Spiritual Care
I enjoyed working at my own pace and the course was easy to follow and understand. I would definitely recommend Australian Online courses to anyone who wants to study at home.
D. Cameron, VIC | Certificate of Chaplaincy, Pastoral and Spiritual Care
I found the course to be excellent .Easy to navigate and excellent to complement my nursing
D. Southam, Netley, SA | Certificate of Chaplaincy, Pastoral and Spiritual Care
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrol Online: Click Add to Cart/View Cart on the course page.
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Enrol via Purchase Order/Tax Invoice
Enrolling Multiple Staff?
To enrol multiple staff, please complete the Employer Enrolment Form. We’ll be in touch within 60 minutes during business hours!
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and Direct Deposit.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18. In some circumstances, enrolments from younger people may be considered. Please complete the AOC Parent Guardian Consent Form prior to enrolling and submit here.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional Develop for:
- Chaplain
- Pastoral Care Worker
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