What is CPE?

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is an action/reflective, interfaith, hands-on clinical ministry model of learning. The purpose of the University Health program is to develop competency in providing spiritual care for patients, families, and staff. Using case studies, verbatims, reflections, didactic sessions, individual supervision, and group seminars, students will gain self-awareness, crisis management skills, pastoral ministry skills, and evidence-based interventions while providing spiritual care in a medical context.

CPE Residency

The CPE residency is a full-time, one-year program beginning in September each year. A unique feature of our residency program is the presentation of psychological/ spiritual assessment models as residents develop their theory and approach to spiritual care. A variety of beliefs and theological perspectives, as well as selected readings in spiritual care research and outcome-oriented chaplaincy are discussed. Spiritual Care residency is to enhance personal growth and the skills for effective support through empathy, excellence, and innovation. Students will gain experience providing broad range of spiritual care at a 1000 bed Level I trauma center where a full range of spiritual care is offered as well as grief, and bereavement support. CPE Residents are required to be available to work a variety of shifts including weekdays, evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.

What the CPE Residency Program Entails

The overarching ACPE goals of the program focus on spiritual formation and integration, awareness of self and others, relational dynamics, spiritual care interventions and professional development. These goals work in conjunction with the student's individual learning goals. University Health focuses on these five core competencies and combines them with ACPE outcomes.

This Program Emphasizes:

1. Spiritual Awareness and Assessment
2. Self and Interpersonal Awareness with a special emphasis in story theology
3. Spiritual Care Theory Integration and Competency with a special emphasis on family systems theory
4. Consultation, Mentoring, and Supervision

The Residency Includes:

• Onboarding as a University Health employee and as a chaplain
• Full time employment, included paid time off, health insurance and other benefits
• Residents complete a 1-year program.
• Residents complete a minimum of 1600 hours of supervised learning each year.
• Weekly participation in after-hours call duty responsibilities
• Weekly classroom sessions
• Mentoring and collaboration with staff chaplains and other health professionals invested in your success.
• Apply for University Health CPE Residency program.