Clinical Pastoral Education

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at CHRISTUS Health is a Graduate Medical Education program accredited for Levels I, II and Certified Educator CPE through the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc., The Standard for Spiritual Care and Education.

Completion of CPE units is part of the requirements for certification through national agencies as a Board Certified Chaplain (BCC). CPE is also taken by people not seeking eventual certification but seeking to grow in their ministerial competence and professionalism.

What is CHRISTUS Health?

CHRISTUS Health has a strong legacy of service, demonstrated by our three Sponsoring Congregations (the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word (Houston), the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word (San Antonio), and the Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth).

With a Mission to “extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ” and Core Values of Dignity, Integrity, Excellence, Compassion, and Stewardship, CHRISTUS Health continues to expand and evolve to meet the holistic needs of those in our care.

Our Ministries

• Four countries. Six hundred centers. One CHRISTUS.
• 45,000 associates with 15,000+ physicians

CHRISTUS Health has four ACPE-accredited CPE programs.

CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System and CHRISTUS Children’s in San Antonio, Texas, offer a year-round residency and summer internship units. CHRISTUS Spohn Health System in Corpus Christi, Texas, offers a year-round residency, summer internship units, and occasional Extended (virtual or hybrid) units. CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System in Tyler, Texas, offers a year-round residency and occasional Extended (virtual or hybrid) units. CHRISTUS Health based in Irving, Texas, offers Extended (virtual/hybrid) CPE units for CHRISTUS Health chaplaincy staff in the United States, Mexico, Colombia and Chile. When available, these CPE units are open to people in the communities.

What is Clinical Pastoral Education?

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is a clinical ministry program that offers students the opportunity to learn by experience in the clinical setting (healthcare, home care, outpatient treatment, hospice, etc.). Students in CPE learn and provide spiritual care ministry in the clinical setting under the supervision of a qualified CPE Certified Educator.

Within CPE, students develop and cultivate a variety of interpersonal, professional and academic skills related to the provision of spiritual care in a variety of clinical settings while enhancing and integrating their personal identity and spiritual care ministry functioning.

CPE utilizes the clinical method of learning, based on action, reflection, and integration. The ministry setting, the persons served, and the experiences of the student are the primary “textbooks.” Students respond to ministry needs, reflect within themselves and with their peer group and Certified Educator to gain further insights and approaches, and integrate that learning for service in subsequent ministry opportunities. CHRISTUS Health is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in the provision of spiritual care. CPE students gain competence and sensitivity in responding to intercultural, interfaith, and values-based spiritual needs.

What are the expectations within Clinical Pastoral Education?

Students in ACPE CPE programs are measured by their progression within specific ACPE Standards, Outcomes, and Indicators to receive credit for their CPE units.

ACPE Manual

The ACPE Outcomes focus on:

• Spiritual Formation and Integration
• Awareness of Self and Others
• Relational Dynamics
• Spiritual Care Interventions
• Professional Development

The ACPE Indicators within these Outcomes cover:

• personal growth and self-care
• justice-seeking awareness of bias and needs
• group dynamics and interprofessional consultation
• proficiency in the use of a variety of spiritual assessment models and cultural, religious and spiritual resources
• clinical ethics, ethical practice, and professionalism
• research-based care

How do I apply for Clinical Pastoral Education?

Each of CHRISTUS Health’s CPE Program’s accepts applications for the types of units they offer (residency, summer, Extended, as noted above). Complete an ACPE application form and submit it to one or more of our CHRISTUS Health CPE Programs.

The CHRISTUS Health CPE Program provides online CPE units serving Spiritual Care staff ministering in:

• CHRISTUS Muguerza, Monterrey, Mexico
• CHRISTUS Sinergia Salud, Cali, Colombia
• Red de Salud UC CHRISTUS Health, Santiago, Chile

This ACPE accredited program does not discriminate against persons because of race, ethnicity, religious/spiritual tradition, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, or disability. CHRISTUS Health also strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination on any of the above as well as color, creed, national origin, gender, citizenship, service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at CHRISTUS Health is a Graduate Medical Education program accredited for Levels I, II, and Certified Educator CPE through ACPE, Inc. The Standard for Spiritual Care and Education, 1 Concourse Pkwy, Suite 800, Atlanta, GA 30328; (404) 320-1472; www.acpe.edu.