Clinical Pastoral Education

The Clinical Pastoral Education program offers Level I, Level II and Supervisory levels of training for theological students, parish clergy, students from graduate degree programs, and selected laypersons.

Our CPE program is fully accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. Level II programs may serve as training for institutional chaplaincy, pastoral counseling and other specialized ministry.

The department is designed to facilitate holistic growth. We offer a setting of professional advancement with ample opportunity for development and role clarity through interdisciplinary conferences, and interaction with a variety of professionals. The focus is on patient and family care with emphasis on pastoral identity and development. Further focus is given to spiritual assessment and increasing awareness of how values, attitudes, and assumptions affect ministry. The program seeks to assist the students and residents in making optimum use of their own religious heritage and to function as a pastoral member of the healthcare team. The program includes peer group process, case conferences, individual supervision, and unit assignments for ministry. The program is designed to grant time for interpersonal relations work, multi-generational understanding, pastoral care management skills, and specialized area study group while those in the program are acknowledged as professionals who are granted the necessary freedom and autonomy to practice pastoral care.

Programs

Level I and Summer Intensive Unit - An 11-week, Monday through Friday program, consisting each week of four full days and one half day, and rotated in-house on-call night duty. Dates for this unit correspond to participant's seminary schedules.

Extended Units - two formats are available for this program.

1. Weekday Format - This is a full CPE Unit of 8 hours per day, one day per week, with rotated on-call weeknight duty in the hospital, and designated, supervised ministry in community service or the student's church. Each unit begins in the fall and runs for six months, meeting on Tuesdays.
2. Weekend Format - Group meetings for this alternative offering of a full CPE Unit are held on Sundays from 4-9 pm. Fulfillment of clinical assignments can be flexed throughout the week with patient visitation possible on weekdays, weekends, and early evenings. Weekly on-call duty is also required. Click here for additional information about the Weekend Extended CPE format.

Level II CPE and CPE Residency - This is a full-time, 12-month (September - August) residency program in pastoral care. Stipends and employee benefits are available. Each resident receives 16 paid days off, which may be used for vacation, sick days, or personal leave. An evaluation committee is available for consultation concerning Level II progress with CPE goals. American Association of Pastoral Counselors and American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy curriculum and supervision are available at the student's expense. Second year residencies may be available in subspecialties.

Supervisory CPE - The supervisor-in-training position is a full-time program for the learning and practice of ACPE supervision. Staff level competency and practice in pastoral care are required. Twelve month contracts are negotiated annually as the supervisor-in-training moves toward certification. All potential students must complete the Training Application.

Training Prerequisites

• Completion of standard ACPE application form and forwarding of application fee
• Completion of a minimum of one full unit of CPE and recommendation of last CPE supervisor to pursue additional CPE (for residencies).
• Interview at Baptist Medical Center
• Completion of a minimum of 2 Level II units of CPE and consultation with a regional ACPE committee for readiness to enter supervior-in training.
• Master of Divinity degree from an Association of Theological School accredited seminary or an equivalency determined by the ACPE standards statement (degree in process for basic program).

Fees and Stipend

• The fee of Summer or Extended (Level I or II) training is $500 per unit.
• The stipend for one year of residency is $23,670.

Placement

We currently offer placement in Baptist Downtown, Baptist Beaches and Wolfson Children's Hospital.

Contact Pastoral Care

Phone: 904.202.2828
email: larry.wagoner@bmcjax.com