Clinical Pastoral Education: More Information
Who May Participate?
Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is designed for people who are interested in:
- Deepening their own spirituality
- Enhancing their pastoral care skills
- Increasing their understanding of medical ethics and related issues
- Improving their ability to process through reflection
- Learning about end-of-life issues
The program is open to laity and clergy who have an interest in deepening their own spiritual life through attentiveness to end-of-life issues, as well as to those seeking to strengthen their competency in providing pastoral care. It is also for those hoping to broaden their understanding of inter-faith and interdisciplinary relationships.
Persons interested in CPE at VITAS also should have a desire to work with others in an inter-faith and interdisciplinary setting. VITAS does not discriminate based upon race, gender, age, faith group, national origin, sexual orientation or disability.
The Learning Process
Clinical Pastoral Education is a dynamic and creative program that uses the “action reflection” method of learning.
Typical learning structure includes:
- A small interpersonal group
- Verbatim clinical presentations
- Didactic seminars
- Spiritual reflection
- Individual supervision
Preparation involves:
- Journaling
- Reading
- Meditation
- Articulation of one’s spiritual journey
- Practicing pastoral care
Through supervised pastoral encounters, participants benefit from the opportunity to work directly with hospice patients and their families. With deep introspection, honest critique and real learning, CPE participants over time can increase their self-awareness and become more observant and sensitive to the needs of those they minister.
Areas of Focus
Pastoral Reflection
Reflecting on oneself as a person and minister in relation to people in crisis— through feedback offered by the supervisor, peer group members, the curriculum and written learning tools.
Pastoral Formation
Increasing awareness of one’s pastoral identity through ministry provided in the clinical setting, integrating one’s family history and incorporating one’s theological heritage.
Competence
Developing ways to broaden one’s ministry based on existing and newly learned skills and resources.
Pastoral Specialization at VITAS
Ministering to persons facing end-of-life issues, working as a member of an interdisciplinary team, providing bereavement services, offering staff support and other areas of focus.
The Hospice Experience
Hospice offers a unique opportunity for Clinical Pastoral Education. The level of intimacy at the end of life invites a vulnerability that is rich with meaning and profound explorations of spirituality.
Through hospice care, a focus on the quality of relationships deepens between you and others as well as you and your own spirit. Possibilities for hope and courage emerge for all involved.
Chaplains use this clinical context for learning how to strengthen and build upon spiritual awareness. Mutual growth with hospice staff, patients and families happens in surprising and exciting ways.
Training in the hospice environment offers diverse experiences in patients' homes, hospitals and nursing homes, and assisted living facilities/residential care facilities for the elderly.
Bereavement group leadership rounds out the cycle of end-of-life care. Chaplains conduct memorial services and help facilitate bereavement support groups in the community. Experiencing end-of-life rituals helps clergy learn the nuances of ethnic, cultural, religious and familial heritage.
Levels of Training and Commitment Hours
VITAS Healthcare is accredited by the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. to offer three levels of training: Level I, Level II and Supervisory. Each level includes distinct objectives and outcomes. To earn credit for one unit of Clinical Pastoral Education students are required to earn a minimum of 400 hours of training (a minimum of 100 educational hours and 300 clinical hours) and comply with ACPE Standards.
Many faith bodies require a minimum of one unit of ACPE-accredited CPE to be considered for ordination. VITAS requires its hospice chaplains to complete one unit of CPE, with encouragement to do more. A minimum of 4 units of CPE are required to meet a committee to be considered for board certification as a professional chaplain.
Categories
- Interns are students enrolled in a single unit of CPE; they pay tuition to the CPE site for their educational experience and often apply this training toward their seminary degrees.
- Those who have completed four or more CPE units and aspire to become a certified ACPE Supervisor may wish to apply for a supervisory training position. This process takes a minimum of 4 years and requires writing a number of papers on relevant topics, which are reviewed by both regional and national committees at varying stages of the process.
Accreditation
VITAS is accredited as a system to offer Level I, Level II, and Supervisory training by:
Association for Clinical Pastoral Education Inc., (ACPE)
One West Court Square, Suite 325
Decatur, GA 30033
Phone: 404.320.1472
Fax: 404.320.0849
Accredited CPE centers offer clinical pastoral education:
- One component of theological education
- Continuing education for ministry
- Training for institutional chaplains
- Training for pastoral counseling
- Training for certification as a supervisor of CPE
- Training for other specialized ministries
Are you looking for a career as a Hospice Chaplain? View our open positions today.