Patient Counseling (PATC)

PATC 501. Introduction to Spiritual Care in Health Care. 1 Hour.

Semester course; 1 lecture and 1 field experience hours. 1 credit. Introduces the student to the hospital environment through observation, reading and reflection.

PATC 510. Introduction to Patient Counseling. 3-5 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture and optional clocked clinical hours. 3-5 credits. Introduces the student to the development and practice of spiritual care of patients and families. Includes case review and peer interaction. Assignment to the hospital is available to those seeking clinical pastoral education credit. Designed for the nonspecialist.

PATC 511. The Professional Caregiver. 4 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours and 150 clocked clinical hours. 4 credits. Prerequisite: PATC 510. Focuses upon development of professional identity and growth within the helping professions. Emphasizes the context of the health-care environment and its impact upon caregivers, patients and families. Includes practical application of theory. Incorporates the use of clinical material. Designed for the nonspecialist.

PATC 515. Basic Spiritual Care. 7 Hours.

Semester course; 7 lecture hours. 7 credits. Provides an intensive course of study toward the development of spiritual care skills in the hospital context. Utilizes group process and individual supervision for the review of clinical material.

PATC 516. Introduction to Spiritual Care Clinical Practicum. 2 Hours.

Semester course; 2 practicum hours (300 documented clinical hours). 2 credits. Corequisite: PATC 515. Introduces clinical spiritual care with supervision and direct patient care. Graded as pass/fail.

PATC 551. Selected Issues in Health Care. 1 Hour.

Semester course; 1 lecture hour. 1 credit. May be repeated to a maximum of 2 credits. Exposes the student to a number of current trends and topics relevant to the contemporary U.S. health care delivery system. Content changes from semester to semester. Utilizes the expertise of hospital personnel.

PATC 592. Independent Study in Spiritual Care. 1-4 Hours.

Semester course; 1-4 independent study hours. 1-4 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of four credits. Provides opportunity to increase clinical and interpersonal skills in specialty areas through patient care, parallel reading and individual faculty supervision.

PATC 611. Theory of Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy Practice I. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: PATC 515 or equivalent. Emphasizes the philosophical and theological foundations of spiritual care and chaplaincy. Provides an in-depth examination of clinical material in a seminar setting.

PATC 612. Theory of Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy Practice II. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: PATC 515 or equivalent. Emphasizes psychological foundations of spiritual care. Provides an in-depth examination of clinical material in a seminar setting.

PATC 613. Group Process I. 2 Hours.

Semester course; 2 lecture hours. 2 credits. Prerequisite: PATC 515 or equivalent. Explores, in a small group setting, the dynamics common to group behavior. Reflects upon the use of group process learning. Utilizes an experiential method of learning.

PATC 614. Group Process II. 2 Hours.

Semester course; 2 lecture hours. 2 credits. Prerequisite: PATC 515 or equivalent. Focuses upon the various theories of group process. Focuses upon application of theory to a variety of clinical and administrative settings. Utilizes an experiential method of learning.

PATC 615. Group Process III. 2 Hours.

Semester course; 2 lecture hours. 2 credits. Prerequisite: PATC 613 or 614. Explores various theories of group leadership. Provides opportunity to test skill development within a peer context.

PATC 617. Theory of Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy Practice III. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisites: PATC 611 and PATC 612. Provides the opportunity to examine the integration of theological, psychological and sociological aspects of spiritual care within varied clinical contexts.

PATC 618. Supervised Clinical Practice II. 5 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture and 300 clocked clinical hours. 5 credits. May be repeated for a total of 10 credits. Prerequisites: PATC 611 and PATC 612. Provides the opportunity to apply and practice clinical skills in a pastoral care specialty under faculty supervision. Utilizes university and hospital personnel in specialty areas.

PATC 619. Spiritual and Social Integration Seminar. 1 Hour.

Semester course; 1 lecture hour. 1 credit. This course is a summary course required for persons in the dual-degree program. Provides in-depth reflection on the theological and social implications of ministry within the health-care environment. Course is taught jointly with seminary faculty.

PATC 620. Religious and Social Factors in Patient Counseling. 2 Hours.

Semester course; 2 lecture hours. 2 credits. Provides an understanding of the theological and social factors related to hospitalization. Focuses on the use of ritual and tradition in caring for persons in crisis.

PATC 621. Care of the Dying. 2 Hours.

Semester course; 2 lecture hours. 2 credits. Explores the spiritual and psychological dynamics associated with loss for patients and families. Offers special attention to the emotional and spiritual impact on caregivers that work with dying patients. Includes the use of clinical material within a group experience.

PATC 627. Living Well. 2-3 Hours.

Semester course; 2 or 3 lecture hours. 2 or 3 credits. Focuses on the development, facilitation and leadership of support groups for bereaved families. Provides students the opportunity to increase interpersonal and clinical skills in supporting families who have experienced a significant death. Special attention is offered to the needs of children. Requires participation in "Living Well," a contracted component of VCU Health System's bereavement program that utilizes art and group discussion.

PATC 629. Spirituality and Aging. 2-3 Hours.

Semester course; 2 or 3 lecture hours. 2 or 3 credits. Explores the spiritual, psychological and social dynamics associated with aging. Provides special attention to the spiritual and emotional impact on caregivers who work with aging patients. Crosslisted as: GRTY 629.

PATC 635. Clinical Ethics. 2-3 Hours.

Semester course; 2-3 lecture hours. 2-3 credits. Applies the principles of biomedical and health care ethics to a more informed understanding of ethical decision-making in the clinical environment. Concerned with the identification, analysis and resolution of ethical problems that arise in planning for the care of patients. Emphasizes the ethical responsibilities of clinicians.

PATC 636. Professional Identity and Ethics. 2 Hours.

Semester course; 2 lecture hours. 2 credits. Focuses on guidelines for professional ethics in the development and maintenance of professional and personal integrity, leadership ability and the enhancement of a congruency between spiritual, psychological and physical maturity.

PATC 639. Spiritual Care Management. 2 Hours.

Semester course; 2 lecture hours. 2 credits. Surveys the theory and practice of spiritual care management within the present health care environment including personnel management, process improvement, benchmarking and qualitative research design.

PATC 640. Research Basics. 1 Hour.

Semester course; 1 lecture hour. 1 credit. Provides an overview of research basics within the context of spirituality, religion and health. Explores the foundations of research literacy.

PATC 641. Evidence-based Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy Inquiry. 1 Hour.

Semester course; 1 lecture hour. 1 credit. Prerequisite: PATC 640. Provides an overview of data collection, data quality and data usage within the context of spirituality, religion and health care. Practices synthesizing the findings of multiple research articles.

PATC 642. Developing and Presenting Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy Research. 1 Hour.

Semester course; 1 lecture hour. 1 credit. Prerequisite: PATC 641. Provides an overview of how to analyze and present evidence-based project findings and develop recommendations. Emphasizes understanding different objectives and dissemination routes for evidence-based projects.

PATC 646. Clinical Practicum I. 2 Hours.

Semester course; 2 practicum hours (300 documented clinical hours). 2 credits. Corequisite: PATC 611. Integrates students in clinical spiritual care with supervision and direct patient care. Clinical time includes supervision and direct patient care. Graded as pass/fail.

PATC 647. Clinical Practicum II. 2 Hours.

Semester course; 2 practicum hours (300 documented clinical hours). 2 credits. Prerequisite: PATC 646. Corequisite: PATC 612. Student continues academic application of spiritual care skills within health care context. Clinical time includes supervision and direct patient care. Graded as pass/fail.

PATC 648. Clinical Practicum III. 2 Hours.

Semester course; 2 practicum hours (300 documented clinical hours). 2 credits. Prerequisite: PATC 647. Corequisite: PATC 617. Students continue academic application of spiritual care skills and gains experience with providing clinical mentorship. Emphasizes professional competence in preparation for board certification. Clinical time includes supervision and direct patient care. Graded as pass/fail.

PATC 653. Patient Counseling Evaluation I. 4 Hours.

Semester course; 2 lecture and 6 practicum hours. 4 credits. Focuses upon the theory and practice of case based education and clinical evaluation relevant for pastoral supervision. Observation of and reflection upon the work of ACPE supervisors are required.

PATC 654. Patient Counseling Evaluation II. 4 Hours.

Semester course; 2 lecture and 6 practicum hours. 4 credits. Continues the theoretical and practical focus of PATC 653. Students move from observation to participation in clinical evaluation of pastoral care interns.

PATC 661. History of Pastoral Supervision. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Focuses on the history and development of clinical pastoral education as a movement. Exposes the student to theoretical basis of clinical pastoral education as established in professional and organizational standards.

PATC 663. Theory of Pastoral Supervision I. 3 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Focuses on the literature in pastoral supervision. Emphasizes the applicability of educational and personality theory relevant for clinical pastoral education.

PATC 664. Theory of Pastoral Supervision II. 2 Hours.

Semester course; 2 lecture hours. 2 credits. Focuses on the literature related to cultural and gender factors relevant for pastoral supervision.

PATC 665. Selected Topics in Pastoral Supervision. 2 Hours.

2 lecture hours. 2 credits. May be repeated for a total of 4 credits. Presents a variety of topics on supervisory theory and practice for persons seeking certification by the ACPE. Utilizes ACPE supervisors as well as university and local seminary faculty.

PATC 692. Independent Study in Pastoral Supervision. 1-4 Hours.

Semester course; 1-4 credits. May be repeated for a total of 4 credits. Provides individual focus and direction of student readings in theories of pastoral supervision. Readings are selected from bibliography of the ACPE Certification Commission.

PATC 694. Advanced Clinical Pastoral Supervision. 7 Hours.

Semester course; 2 lecture and 15 practicum hours. 7 credits. Prerequisite: PATC 654. Advanced attention to integration of education and personality theories with theology. Includes the actual practice of supervision under faculty guidance. Restricted to individuals admitted to candidacy status in ACPE, Inc. May be repeated.

PATC 696. Intensive Supervisory Practicum. 9 Hours.

Semester course; 3 lecture and 18 practicum hours. 9 credits. Prerequisite: PATC 694. Provides opportunity for independent supervision of pastoral care interns with mentoring and evaluation by faculty. Utilizes ACPE supervisory personnel. Restricted to individuals admitted to candidacy status in ACPE. May be repeated.

PATC 697. Clinical Research. 1-5 Hours.

Semester course; 1-5 credits. May be repeated for a total of 5 credits. Provides the opportunity to test the practical application of research and process improvement methods within the clinical context. Encourages the development of collaborative and interdisciplinary project development.