Christus Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi
CLINICAL PASTORAL EDUCATION, ACPE
CPE RESIDENCY 2012-13
Program Description
CPE Residency dates:
Stipend Residency:
Tuition
Application Fee
References
Excellent health benefits
9/3/2012 to 8/31/2013
$28,500.00
$250.00 per unit
$50.00 non-refundable
3 written references required
Thank you for your interest in our CPE program. We are delighted that you plan to
engage in a yearlong process of professional and personal learning and growth to enhance
your pastoral ministry. Our CPE program has a long history since its inception in 1973.
Most of our staff chaplains have had CPE training and some of them serve as excellent
clinical mentors to the CPE residents. You may have already visited our website which
offers a wealth of information about the application process and our program. In this
letter we summarize some of the most important information for your review. Please do
not hesitate to contact us with any additional questions or concerns that may emerge for
you.
CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi, Memorial is a Level II Trauma center with
clinical specialties in psychiatric, orthopedic, cardiac, and emergency/trauma medicine
services. The CHRISTUS Spohn Health System consists of 6 hospitals in the Coastal
Bend (with clinical specialties in gynecology, obstetrics, level III Neonatal Intensive care
unit, geriatric-psychiatry and more) and is part of the National CHRISTUS Health
System; a faith based health care organization with the mission to extend the healing
ministry of Jesus Christ. CPE residents will provide on-call coverage for 2 campuses in
Corpus Christi and therefore will need a car and current driver’s license.
The Spiritual Care department is committed to providing spiritual care to all patients,
especially the underserved. A large group of staff chaplains and three CPE supervisors –
Rev. Mirjam Berger, Rev. Michael Doane and Rev. Mike Saxton, provide support and
supervision throughout the learning process.
The year-long residency program is structured around four consecutive intensive units of CPE.
While residents establish a learning contract during each unit, there are specific learning foci
outlined for each unit. The student’s individual learning agreement may coincide and explicitly
connect with the unit focus, but not necessarily so. Learning foci include pastoral theology,
grief and loss, developmental and behavioral theories, group and systems theory,
bioethics, concepts of illness and wellness, cultural and pastoral identity.
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Please submit your completed ACPE application to:
Rev. Mirjam Berger
Manager of Clinical Pastoral Education
CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi - Memorial
2606 Hospital Blvd.
Corpus Christi, TX 78405
When you submit your application, please make sure that the ACPE application form is
fully completed and accompanied by ALL the required written responses and
photocopies of degrees. Please also include the application fee of $50.00 payable to the
CHRISTUS Spohn Health System.
Forms included in this letter are:
- ACPE application form
- 3 Reference forms to be filled out and sent in separately by your references
- Release of written material form – please sign and return
For more information please visit our website: www.christusspohncpe.org.
Program Requirements for each unit of CPE (400 hours, 11-12 weeks)
1)
Attendance and participation in all components of the ACPE program including:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Clinical assignments as negotiated with peers, supervisor, and director.
Learning contract as negotiated with peers and supervisor.
Residency group seminars including IPR, verbatim, and didactic.
Individual supervision (usually one hour per week).
Written self-evaluation at mid-term and end of each CPE unit.
2)
Professional dress and conduct (as identified in ACPE Student Handbook).
3)
Participation in rotational assignments of weekly devotions, seminar
presentations, typical daily clinical work schedule of 0800-1630, Monday through
Friday. In addition participation in overnight and weekend on-call coverage for
multiple campuses, for an average of up to 40 hours a month.
4)
Completion of at least 6 verbatims and 8 weekly reflections.
5)
Participation in interdisciplinary patient meetings as appropriate.
6)
Completion of Medicare and departmental statistics as required.
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7)
600 pages of reading and other educational elements as negotiated.
8)
Adherence to all CHRISTUS Health, CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital, Spiritual Care
and CPE policies.
9)
ABSENCES: Attendance at all group seminars times is expected. Excused
absences will be granted for negotiated absences (negotiated with group and
supervisor) or immediate illness (with appropriate notification). Recurrent
absences will be noted in your evaluation. Absences may invalidate credit for the
unit. There is no refund of tuition if your credit is invalidated due to absences.
Additional Level II Requirements or 2nd Year Community Residency
1. Must meet for educational consultation prior to entering CPE Level II
2. Development of negotiated Level II project and consultant if specialty is chosen. This is a
must for a 2nd year Community Residency position.
3. 2nd year Community Residency position has its clinical setting in community agencies
such as a homeless shelter, a family education organization or a drug addiction treatment
facility. The work hours will be flexible depending on clients’ needs and collaboration
with on-site mentors is essential.
4. Shared responsibility for creating weekly scheduling and resources
5. Identifying number of supervisory sessions, verbatims, weekly reflections
(identified in learning contract)
6. Presentation of two didactics to residency, extended or summer groups
A second-year Resident works in a clinical area or community ministry specialty in which
he/she wants to gain an expertise for a pastoral care specialty. In addition to their CPE
supervisor, the second-year Resident will find one or two consultants, such as a physician,
nurse, ethicist, or other professional to facilitate their learning in the area of specialization.
The main focus of the second year is to understand the course of the disease process, the
process of addiction or that of homelessness. The resident then will develop corresponding
spiritual responses in order to provide focused spiritual care that is integrated into the
treatment/service. A clinical project related to the area of specialization is a core part of the
second year curriculum. Initiating the process for certification as a chaplain in the Association
for Professional Chaplains or in the National Association of Catholic Chaplains is another
focus for the second year.
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Summary of Residency Curriculum Level I and II
Proposed Curriculum for the Residency Program 2012-13
The learning foci for each unit are identified below. The particular program elements and resources are
included in appropriate places in the curriculum. Depending on Residents’ learning needs and clinical
context the curriculum components may vary or be placed in a different phase in the education
program.
Fall Unit: Pastoral Identity
Orientation, Crisis Ministry, Dynamics of Grief and Loss
Winter Unit: Pastoral Psychology
Family Systems and Developmental Theories - Human, Moral, and Faith Development
Spring Unit: Pastoral Theology
Theological Reflection, Spiritual Assessments, and Clinical Ethics
Summer Unit: Professional Chaplaincy
APC/NACC Certification process, Professional Ethics, End of life ministry
Thank you for your interest in our CPE program. I look forward to reviewing your application. If
you have any question please call me (361) 902-6714 or our CPE secretary, Deana Carey
at (361) 902-4890.
Sincerely,
Rev. Mirjam Berger, Th.M., ACPE Supervisor
Manager of Clinical Pastoral Education
CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi
2606 Hospital Blvd. Corpus Christi, TX 78405
Mirjam.berger@christushealth.org
361-902-6714  361-902-6538
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Annual Privacy Notice
This CPE Center will protect the privacy concerns of each student through careful and
confidential record keeping. Further, that, if accepted, the Center’s “directory
information” (meaning a student’s name, faith affiliation, previous pastoral position,
previous education, photo, gender and the exact level and type of unit in which the
student is enrolled) is NOT considered private and may be released to institutional
(internal communication) sources or through public media (such as newspapers or
websites). If a student does not wish the Center to disclose directory information, the
student must indicate such in writing within one week from the first day of the unit.
Students have the right to restrict their directory information at any time. Students also
have the right to inspect and review education records, to seek to amend them, to
specified control over release of record information, and to file a complaint against the
program for alleged violations of these Family Education and Privacy Act (FERPA)
rights. Students have the right to object to record content. If not negotiable, the written
objection will be kept with and released with the record. Grades are exempt from this
record.
Violations of these protocols may be reported to the Chair of the Accreditation
Commission at: ACPE, 1549 Clairmont Road, Suite 103, Decatur, GA 30033.
This is in compliance with the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE)
Standard 304.4. This policy also complies with Accreditation Manual, Appendix 7B in
order to meet requirements of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
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