Saint Joseph’s East Georgia Auxiliary members received special training this week in how to deal with patients’ families while they are grieving or traumatized.

The training was given by Mary Williams, Director of Pastoral Care at Saint Joseph’s Hospital of Atlanta.  Clinical and Auxiliary leaders at SJEG identified the need for training following situations in which volunteers on duty have known the patient and the loved ones.  “Because we are seeing more acute patients, our volunteers are in the position of working with families who need quality care of their own,” said Mike Huff, President and CEO, Saint Joseph’s East Georgia. “We want our volunteers to be trained on how to deal with these situations appropriately and feel comfortable that they are within the guidelines. Taking care of the families is as much a part of taking care of the community, as caring for the patients.”

Chaplains from Saint Joseph’s were also on hand to discuss working together.  Continuing education and training sessions are planned as the SJEG Auxiliary grows.