What are the duties of an emergency hospital chaplain?

Mostly (in my experience) the spiritual counselors in a hospital are more about comfort. They tend to frightened and/or confused patients and loved ones, being a soothing presence.

For example, when I had cancer, there was often some sort of religious person (nun, pastor, priest) who would sit with me before this or that unpleasant procedure. I never requested anybody, but I was grateful for the gentle presence.

When my child got run over, in the emergency department, a nun assigned herself to me, helped with paperwork, led me to the bathroom, waited with me during surgery.

Anything of a more religious nature is probably available, I don’t know.

At the hospital I worked at, the religious person gave a morning prayer at 8:00 a.m. every morning. On a side note, one of the pastors was a woman and had a very breathy, sexy voice. One of the doctors in my office always made a comment as to he would need a shower or a cigarette after her morning prayer. They were there for patients that requested them or if a patient was going through a tough diagnosis or treatment. When I was in the hospital and they thought I wouldn’t make it, one of the pastors came in and sat with me. It really was comforting.

I’ve asked them to leave, on multiple occasions.

When I was in the hospital post-op, from my liver transplant, another walked into my room.
I was trying to open a juice container, and because of my lack of fingernails it’s hard to open them.
He came in, and when I asked who he was, he said he was a chaplain and said “is there anything I can do for you?”
I thought about what use such a person could actually have, for me. It occurred to me, why Jesus sent him to me.
I asked him “can you open this juice container?”
He did, and I thanked him.
He said “is there anything I can do for you?” And I said, “not unless I get another juice container.”..

I completely understand the responses above.
My problem, is I don’t believe in altruism. These people think, they are “doing God’s work.”

They may have empathy, but so does an ape. It is NOT divine spirit, but human compassion, that most of these people are demonstrating…

People often misinterpret feelings of empathy, as morality inspired by the will of a deity.

It’s never far from my head, that a religious person providing “charity,” is doing so, because they believe it somehow makes up for their “sins,” or grants them higher standing in the afterlife.
In that vein, it is NOT altruistic, but self serving…

As a former LEO, in certain situations, or in life in general, I have offered help or company, to people who had nobody else.

Whenever I helped, or comforted someone in a rough spot, I always felt like I was undoing “God’s work.” In other words, I was helping another struggling life. There was never an agenda, or motivation, other than easing the suffering of others…
I rarely ever saw, most of those people after an ambulance would take them away.
I would often try, to see how people did. Sometimes, I might see them in court.
I never held a religious title. Never will.

@MrGrimm888 I would think that after getting the gift, a miracle of a second chance to live, that you could show some semblance of appreciation for any small gesture of help. Whether it be a chaplain opening your juice or housekeeping emptying your trash there’s no need to be rude.

^I’m ALWAYS nice, to especially the people whom empty the trash.

I’m sorry you are only able to see, one side of it.

Such places, are hunting grounds, for organized religion.
Anywhere, there are desperate people, there WILL be those trying to take advantage, to recruit others.

You are specifically asked about such things, when you were in my condition. It’s likely in everyone’s medical history, as far as religious beliefs. Specifically regarding, whether one wishes for a representative of their beliefs, in certain circumstances, or not.
The amount of Christian iconography, like crosses, is already inviting religion to a place it has no business being.
They don’t have to have recruiters walking into random rooms, reinforcing attempted indoctrination.

As a patient, you have the right, not to be bothered by people who are not there to perform a service for the hospital. In this case, a stranger took ot upon themselves to walk into my room, unsolicited.

I do not believe this man, took offense, and I was not rude.
I could see his wheels turning.
I gave him purpose. Opening my juice…
I can’t speak for other places, but down south, there is usually actually a small church or place of worship. THAT would be where I would go, if I desired such things.

My second chance to live, has nothing to do with any organized religion.
Enabling a man, who believes he is speaking for, or to, a 100% fictional character, designed to control people, is not my prerogative. I don’t chastise him for his beliefs, but he is as welcome in my place of healing as a traveling scam artist can expect.

If he brings comfort to others, he was wasting time he could be helping them.

No deity played ANY part in me killing myself, OR in my recovery.
I’m sorry that people, cannot accept that we endure hardship, because of who we already are, or are capable of being.
“But Oz never did give nothing to The Tin Man. That he didn’t already have.”..

Sometimes, it’s important to remember, there was never a wizard, just a man behind a curtain. And the wizard ruled that realm of Oz, because nobody ever questioned what they were told…

It is dishonorable to my donor, medical workers, doctors, and myself, to try and credit a false deity for my story to this point.

If there IS a “God,” they can try to speak to me directly, but I have no interest in false profits.
I would likely have little nice to say, to a “God,” anyways.
It’s FAR more likely, that I would speak with the kid sterilizing my floors, than a deity or it’s proclaimed representative…

I did appreciate him opening my juice. I would have appreciated more, if he had not entered my room, as per the paperwork I signed prior to surgery.

And they ask me, every time I get treated, if my religious beliefs or gender identity have changed. So. There’s always an opportunity.

To more accurately address the question. The duties of a chaplain, are to respect the wishes of the people who don’t believe as they do.