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For Patients & Families

Chaplain Intern Program

  • stained glass panels in the chapel

  • The next available chaplain intern programs will be 2023-2024 school-year internships.

    Dana-Farber's Chaplain Intern Program is accredited through Harvard Divinity School. This field education placement offers theological students the opportunity to experience hospital chaplaincy as they work with pediatric and adult patients and their families.

    Students may apply for the intensive summer program, which runs from late May to early August, or for the academic-year part-time intern program, which runs from late September to early May. International theological students are welcome to apply.

    Program objectives

    Throughout this field education placement, students will develop a learning agreement and reflect upon their personal, spiritual, and professional competence in the following areas:

    Personal

    • Awareness of, and ability to express, one's religious/spiritual history
    • Ability to incorporate authority in relationships
    • Awareness of the importance of self-care

    Spiritual

    • Awareness of the many dynamics of ministry
    • Ability to provide spiritual leadership within an institute
    • Ability to integrate theology into spiritual care

    Professional

    • Basic understanding of chaplaincy
    • Ability to understand the many functions of a spiritual care department
    • Ability to work with a multidisciplinary team
    • Awareness of the many ethical issues in a medical setting

    Prerequisites

    The following are prerequisites for Dana-Farber's Chaplain Intern Program:

    • Openness to learning in a demanding outpatient setting
    • Respect for, and willingness to minister to, people of other religious/spiritual traditions
    • Course work in spiritual care (helpful, but not required)
    • Full or part-time enrollment at Harvard Divinity School, Boston Theological Institute, or other accredited theological schools
    • Agreement to a criminal background check and to allow us to contact three references
    • Eligible for work-study program

    Program details

    Program director

    Rev. Helen Carpenter Bodell, M.Div.
    Director, Center for Spiritual Care
    617-632-3908
    helenc_bodell@dfci.harvard.edu

    On-site requirements

    • 10-15 hours per week of patient ministry and programming of interfaith services (35-40 hours per week in summer)
    • Minimum of three hours of individual and group supervision per week

    Written requirements

    • Six verbatims
    • One theological reflection paper
    • Weekly progress reports
    • Mid-term and final evaluation
    • Weekly journal (optional)

    Time off

    Time off must be discussed and agreed upon with the director prior to the start of the program.

    How to apply

    Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all available slots are filled. Please follow the steps below:

    1. Download the application.
    2. Send your completed application and resume via fax, mail, or e-mail.
    3. Upon receipt of your application, we will contact you for an interview.

    For more information, please contact:

    Larisa P. Waya, MTS, BCC, Chaplain     
    Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
    450 Brookline Ave.
    Boston, MA 02215
    Phone: 617-632-3296     
    Fax: 617-582-7177
    Email: larisa_waya@dfci.harvard.edu