ABSTRACT
While chaplains are expected to be able to function using the skills mentioned in the previous chapter, it is quite common for individual chaplains to wish to advance professionally. This chapter explores eight areas in which a chaplain may wish to specialize: administrative skills and functions; consultation; biomedical and professional ethics; advanced pastoral care; advanced pastoral counselling; training programs, supervision, and teaching; contributions to the field—research and writing; and interpretation and advocacy within the wider community. In many cases, a chaplain will specialize in several areas. When specialization occurs, the chaplain is said to have developed, formally or informally, a competency in that particular field or area of hospital ministry. Administrative advancement within the field of hospital ministry is usually accomplished through two modes. The first is a move to supervisory level functioning, and the second is a move to management functions.
