Pastoral Services

Clinical Pastoral

Education Information & Application

McLeod Regional

Medical Center

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Welcome to Clinical Pastoral Education at McLeod. Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is theological education for ministry to persons in the midst of crisis. As part of the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc., McLeod shares in a rich heritage of pastoral education and excellent pastoral care. We are excited to let you know more about this opportunity for deepening your ministry and deepening your call. As the flagship hospital of the McLeod Health system, McLeod Regional Medical Center is an excel-lent place to learn the art of spiritual care.

Our hospital is a regional tertiary care center, serving the population of northeastern South Carolina and southeastern North Carolina. The medical center includes an accredited cancer center, dedicated open heart surgery suites, a Heart & Vascular Institute, as well as centers of excellence in heart, cancer, surgery, neurosur-gery, trauma, children and women’s services. One of five state-designated perinatal centers, McLeod Regional Medical Center also offers the region’s only children’s hospital. The diverse pa-tient population and opportunity to minister in a variety of settings makes McLeod a great place to learn the art of spiritual care.

Individualized Education

CPE at McLeod is individualized, with each stu-dent’s goals in mind. At the beginning of each program unit, students are required to set pas-toral, personal, and educational goals for them-selves. As such, each student’s learning is person-alized, and offers an opportunity for each student to gain experience and insight into areas where growth is desired. The CPE program works with seminaries, judicatories, and committees on min-istry to help students address identified areas for growth.

Program Hours

McLeod offers Level I and Level II CPE. The CPE program consists of 400 hours, at least 100 of which are structured group and individual educa-tional activities. Flexible Program Schedule

Our program design follows a flexible schedule. In an extended part-time unit, students schedule pastoral care hours at times convenient to them, and meet as a group one afternoon per week. Intensive units are designed to accommodate seminarians and other students who would like

to complete a unit of CPE over a summer break, or others who are able to participate in a full-time program.

What can I learn?

The specific content for a unit can vary according to the needs of students or at the discretion of the faculty, but there are commonalities in all CPE units. CPE assumes students are self-directed, adult learners, but coursework focuses in several key areas: pastoral functioning, self-awareness, interpersonal awareness, conceptual ability, and ministry development and management. These objectives are achieved through the clini-cal method of learning, where students are active in providing ministry, and then take time to re-flect, individually and as a group, on the ministry they provide. Outside of Class

Most interns are surprised at how much more work was involved than they realized. The class time specified is only a quarter of the total time required for a unit of CPE. In addition to the class time (which is at least 100 hours), a minimum of 300 clinical hours are required. CPE also requires: • Regular reading assignments; • Written assignments (including a spiritual

autobiography and self-evaluations) • Patient visits written up in a detailed verba-

tim format that demands considerable reflec-tion;

• Weekly reflections about ministry and learn-ing is a regular requirement.

Expect to spend an additional one to three hours a week in personal reflection on ministry and preparation for class.

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CPE & Pastoral Services

McLeod Chaplains Through clinical pastoral care, chap-lains manifest the spiritual dimension of McLeod's mission and strengthen the relationship between the health system and religious communities at large. McLeod chaplains, in partnership with the rest of the health care team, provide spiritual and religious care for patients, families, caregivers, visitors, and staff throughout the medical center. Our mission statement guides us as we provide the following ser-vices for patients, their families, care-givers, and staff: •Pastoral care and counseling •Spiritual assessment, intervention, comfort, and nurture •Facilitation and support of reli-gious practices of all faiths and spiritual paths •Religious and spiritual health pro-gramming •24-hour on-call chaplain for emer-gent spiritual care •Weekday spiritual care by chap-lains assigned to each inpatient area •Two chapels for meditation, prayer, and reflection •Emotional support •Non-judgmental listening •Crisis intervention •Advocacy for patients and staff •Collaboration with all members of the health care team •Consultations on end-of-life deci-sions, and ethical issues

•Continued development of rela-tionships with community faith leaders and communities who offer spiritual and religious support.

Clinical Pastoral Education

Students As chaplains and learners, CPE stu-dents are welcomed as an important part of the pastoral services team at McLeod. CPE students engage in pa-tient care even as they learn to reflect actively on the manner of care they provide. Patients, families, and staff at McLeod benefit from the care of stu-dents, chaplains, and volunteers alike.

A Typical Day Since the heart of CPE is ministering and learning from the experience, a day’s schedule frequently includes a clinical seminar in which a student presents a pastoral encounter to other students and the supervisor for discussion and feedback. Other typical sessions are: didactic seminars in which discussion follows a lecture; discussion of a book or arti-cle; exploration of theological con-cerns; peer group meetings or inter-personal group sessions for mutual sharing, caring, and support where relationship concerns are explored; and worship or sharing occasions which provide opportunity for spiri-tual nurture. Field trips, workshops, and clinical observations may be peri-odically included.

Evaluation experiences with the other students and your supervisor are also part of a CPE program and may be scheduled at the end of a unit to sum up the experience, midway to assess your learning objectives, and, at other times, such as with the other care providers in your ministry area. You will discover that a CPE schedule asks for active investment but also provides time for sharing, reflection, preparation, and relaxation.

Student Resources The Pastoral Services department provides many useful resources for CPE students completing education in pastoral and spiritual care. Several of these resources are: •Access to our pastoral services lending library. •Collaboration with chaplains across McLeod Regional Medical Center. •Through a collaboration with Pee Dee AHEC, access to educational opportunities for health personnel at a reduced student rate. •A complimentary meal and pre-ferred parking when serving as the on-call chaplain. •Supervisor assistance in locating counselors, professional develop-ment resources, and job opportuni-ties. •A well-qualified staff in the medi-cal center, with experts on many topics ranging from grief, medical ethics, to social services, conflict management and administration.

Pastoral care has been an important part of the culture of McLeod Regional Medical

Center since its transition from a community hospital to a regional medical center in

1979. The Department of Pastoral Services at McLeod Regional Medical Center cares

for a wide range of spiritual needs, providing a sensitive and inclusive ministry in health

crises ranging from problem pregnancies and births to end-of-life decisions and death.

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Your Future with CPE Preparation for Ministry CPE serves as a part of one's preparation for parish minis-try, chaplaincy, lay ministry, teaching, and counseling. A student's learning contract may be focused toward inte-gration of theological, psychological, and pastoral in-sights into pastoral functioning for parish work. Or the contract may be designed with a career goal of chap-laincy or pastoral counseling. Some students, after completing several units of CPE, choose to enroll in Supervisory CPE working toward certi-fication as a CPE supervisor. In Supervisory CPE the stu-dent learns the theory and practice of supervision and has an experience of supervising CPE students under the guidance and with the consultation of a CPE supervisor. CPE develops the capacity for the pastoral and spiritual care of individuals, families, and systems. Many theological schools require one unit of CPE as a part of a theological degree program. Other schools ac-cept a year of CPE as the required intern year of ministry for a theological degree program.

Certification Though CPE is a form of education, not certification, it is required as part of the journey towards certification as a professional chaplain or pastoral counselor. The Associa-tion of Professional Chaplains, the National Association of Catholic Chaplains, the National Association of Jewish Chaplains and other organizations certify chaplains. The American Association of Pastoral Counselors trains and certifies pastoral counselors. Some CPE is required as a pre-requisite. You should contact these organizations directly about their requirements.

Areas of Service Training Recommended

or Required Contact

Pastoral Care Pastor, Church Staff, Social Services

Clinical Pastoral Education (minimum of one unit)

Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. (ACPE) or CAPPE

Professional

Chaplaincy Hospital, hospice, military, or other institutional chaplaincy

Clinical Pastoral Education (4 units required for Board certification)

ACPE for training and Association of Professional Chaplains (APC) or NACC or NAJC for certification

Pastoral Educator

(CPE Supervisor) Supervisor of CPE programs in a variety of settings

CPE (Level I, Level II and Supervisory) Successful completion of certification process.

Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. (ACPE)

Pastoral

Counselor Counselor on church staff, counseling center or agency

CPE (at least 1 unit) PLUS pastoral counseling training program.

ACPE for introductory unit and American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC) For pastoral counseling training.

Licensed

Professional

Counselor

Varies from state to state, Can often be done in conjunction with pas-toral counseling training.

AAPC or state credentialing agency.

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Programs Offered & Schedules We offer two programs designed to meet the needs of working pastoral professionals or graduate semi-nary or theological students. Our programs are designed to deepen your pastoral practice in five key areas: (1) pastoral functioning, (2) self-awareness, (3) interpersonal awareness, (4) conceptual ability, and (5) min-istry development and management.

Extended CPE

Program Description The Extended Unit Program allows students to complete one unit of CPE by attending the program on a part-time basis, typically about 20 hours per week. This program is especially suited for working pastors and others who wish to devote part of their time to learning the art of pastoral care and need flexibility in their schedules.

Program Structure Seminars typically meet for one-half day each week, with flexibility in scheduling hours for patient care. Students also participate in the chaplain on-call schedule.

Typically Offered Extended units are offered in the Spring and Fall.

Minimum Entry Requirements • Students should hold at least high school diploma

(college and graduate level work recommended). • Have a ministry context (i.e., church, hospital, hos-

pice) or be in training for ministries of care, counsel-ing.

• Successfully complete the application and interview for admission.

• Successfully complete the background and health check.

Requirements • 100 educational hours, including orientation, semi-

nars and individual supervision meetings. • 300 patient care hours. • Program requirements, including written assign-

ments, readings, evaluations, and group leadership responsibilities.

Fees & Funding Tuition for extended units is $450, due at the beginning of orientation.

Intensive CPE

Program Description The Intensive Program is appropriate for students in seminary and others who wish to complete a full unit of CPE in 11 weeks. This program is full-time, requiring 40 hours per week of pastoral care and educational respon-sibilities. Seminars are offered over the course of the week. Intensive units are well-suited for seminarians.

Program Structure Seminars are scheduled throughout the week, and stu-dents schedule patient care around these hours. Stu-dents also participate in the chaplain on-call schedule.

Typically Offered Intensive units are offered in the summer.

Minimum Entry Requirements • Students should hold at least high school diploma

(college and graduate level work recommended). • Have a ministry context (i.e., church, hospital, hos-

pice) or be in training for ministries of care, counsel-ing.

• Successfully complete the application and interview for admission.

• Successfully complete the background and health check.

Requirements • 100 educational hours, including orientation, semi-

nars and individual supervision meetings. • 300 patient care hours. • Program requirements, including written assign-

ments, readings, evaluations, and group leadership responsibilities.

Fees & Funding Tuition for intensive units is $450, due at the beginning of orientation.

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How to Apply Our application process is accessible online and through the directions contained in the back of this booklet. Our goal is to get to know you, and help you get to know us. For guid-ance in completing your application, get in touch with us at (843) 777-2119 or email tpietila@mcleodhealth.org.

Our application process consists of two parts. You will need to ll out the application materials and essays as directed on the application, and will be invited to interview with our cen-ter’s sta .

Prerequisites Persons applying to CPE should hold a high school diploma or its equiva-lent, though a college degree is rec-ommended, and some graduate theological education is preferred. In most cases, persons should have a ministry context to which they will return after the CPE program, or be working towards ordination, certi ca-tion (etc.) in their own faith group. Laypersons active in ministry are also welcomed to apply, as are persons in the healthcare eld who are inter-ested in expanding their skills in spiri-tual care. Applicants must be willing to learn and re ect on their own prac-tice of ministry, and be willing to work in a multi-cultural multi-faith environment without imposing their own religious views on patients or other group members.

General Requirements In addition to the demographic infor-mation required on the application, persons are required to submit the following information with your ap-plication. More detailed information is found on the application itself.

A reasonably full account of your life A description of your spiritual growth and development

A description of your work (vocational) history An account of a “helping inci-dent” in which you were the per-son who provided the help. Your impressions of Clinical Pas-toral Education, including any personal and/or professional learning goals and issues that you have at this time.

References After we receive your application, our human resources department will contact you via e-mail requesting ve references. After receiving these ref-erences, we will process your applica-tion. Interview The interview is a way for us to get to know you better, learn your learning needs and hopes, and nd out some-thing about your style of personal re ection. Your interviewer will dis-cuss with you information from your application, inviting you to engage in a process of personal theological re-

ection. Interviews may also be con-ducted at other CPE centers and transferred to our center.

Application Fee McLeod Health does not require an application fee to be considered for our Clinical Pastoral Education pro-grams.

Deadlines While there is no set “deadline” for our units of CPE, our programs often

ll to capacity. We operate on a “rolling admissions” basis, receiving applications for the next available unit. You are encouraged to apply several months before the unit is scheduled to begin. Health & Background Requirements Any admission decision is pending until you have been approved by McLeod’s human resources depart-ment, including a health screen, state and federal background check.

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Get in Touch

Contact Us McLeod Regional Medical Center Department of Pastoral Services PO Box 100551 Florence, SC 29502-0551 Phone: 843-777-2119 tpietila@mcleodhealth.org

Accredited By: The Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. One West Court Square, Suite 325 Decatur, GA | 404.320.1472 acpe@acpe.edu www.acpe.edu

Visit Our Website www.mcleodpastoralcare.org

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Teaching the art of caring

for persons in need.

www.mcleodpastoralcare.org

Please respond to each of the following items. Your typed responses on separate pages would be appreciated.

1. Please complete the attached form and mail to the Center or Cluster to which you are applying. Read instructions carefully before submitting. International applicants have additional requirements and deadlines. You may want to make a copy of a blank form before entering any data.

2. A reasonably full account of your life. Include, for example, significant and important persons and events, especially as they have impacted, or continue to impact, your personal growth and development. Describe your family of origin, current family relationships, and important and supportive social relationships. (About five pages)

3. A description of your spiritual growth and development. Include, for example, the faith heritage into which you were born and describe and explain any subsequent, personal conversions, your call to ministry, religious experiences, and significant persons and events that have impacted, or continue to impact, your spiritual growth and development. (About five pages)

4. A description of your work (vocational) history. Include a chronological list of jobs/positions/dates of employment and a brief statement about your current employment and work relationships.

5. An account of a “helping incident” in which you were the person who provided the help. Include the nature and extent of the request, your assessment of the issue(s), problem(s), situation(s). Describe how you came to be involved and what you did. Give a brief, evaluative commentary on what you did and how you believe you were able to help. If you have had prior and recent CPE, please attach a copy of a recent verbatim as your 'helping incident' and add to the verbatim your own notes on how and what you learned from sharing this verbatim with your supervisor and/or peers. If you have had CPE, but it was more than two years ago, include a recent account of a helping incident, written up in a verbatim format. If possible, include feedback from current pastoral colleagues and/or administrative supervisor.

6. Your impressions of Clinical Pastoral Education. Indicate, for example, what you believe or imagine CPE to be. Indicate if CPE is being required of you. Indicate any learning goals or issues of which you are aware and would like to address in CPE. Finally, indicate how CPE may be able to help you meet needs generated by your ministry or call to ministry. If you have had prior CPE, please indicate the most significant learning experience you had during CPE. State how you have continued to use the clinical method since your previous experience. Indicate strengths and weaknesses that you have as they relate to your ministry and your identity as a professional person. Indicate any personal and/or professional learning goals and issues that you have at this time and how you believe that CPE will help you to attain or address these learning goals and issues

7. You are required to complete an admissions interview with an ACPE supervisor or a person approved by the center to which you are applying. Contact a local CPE Center if you need help in locating an interviewer in your area.

8. CPE at McLeod Health does not require an application fee.

9. If you are an international applicant, you will have to obtain appropriate documentation from U.S. Immigration, which usually implies a visa and a U.S. Social Security Number. Therefore, international applicants should have such documentation approved at least six (6) months prior to the start date of the program for which they are applying.

10. An applicant with prior CPE should attach copies of all previous self and supervisory CPE evaluations. Also, if you have had prior CPE and if you are giving this Center permission to directly access previous CPE evaluations and supervisory personnel, then please sign the corresponding box as well as signing the application form. If permission is given, please submit 2 (two) original copies of this application, each containing your signature, not one original and a copy. The second original will be sent to your previous CPE Center as written authorization of your consent to release information.

11. Retain your own copy of this completed application and bring it with you to any interview for CPE.

I hereby give my consent to the ACPE Center to which I am applying to access my CPE evaluations and supervisory personnel about matters pertaining to this current application.

Signature: ______________________ Date: _________ Birth Date________ SSN: _________

Please send your completed application materials to: McLeod Regional Medical Center | Department of Pastoral Services

PO Box 100551 Florence, SC 29502-0551 Phone: 843-777-2119 Fax: 843-777-2125

Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc.

Instructions and Application for Clinical Pastoral Education

Application for Clinical Pastoral Education Print or type responses and mail completed application to the

address indicated on the previous page.

Applying for: Summer Intensive Unit_____ Extended Unit: Spring_____ Fall _____ Preferred program/site: __________________________________________ Earliest date you can begin: ________________

Directory Information

Name: __________________________________________________________________________________________

Mailing address: ____________________________________ City:_______________________________ ST: ________

Country & ZIP:___________ _________________________Email: ___________________________________________

HmPh:____________________ WkPh:___________________ Fax: ____________________Cell Phone______________

Permanent address:___________________________________ City:______________________________ ST: _________

ZIP:____________ Country: _______________________________ Alt Email: _________________________________

Denomination/Faith Group Affiliation: ___________________________________________________________________

Jurisdiction/District/Diocese/Conference/Assoc: _____________________________________________________________

Jurisdictional Authority (name/title): _____________________________________________________________________

Local Church & Ministry Position: _______________________________________________________________________

Ordained/Licensed/Appointed: _____________________________________ Date: _______________________________

College: Degree/Date: _______________________________________________________________________________

Seminary: Degree/Date: ______________________________________________________________________________

Grad Schl: Degree/Date: ______________________________________________________________________________

Prior CPE Dates: Center Supervisor

______________________ _____________________________________________ ________________________

Academic Reference (Name/Title): _____________________________________________________________________

Ph:____________________________ Address: _________________________________________________________

City:______________________________ ST: ________ ZIP: ______________ Email:__________________________

Denominational Reference (name/title): ___________________________________________________________________

Ph:____________________________ Address: _________________________________________________________

City:______________________________ ST: ________ ZIP: ______________ Email:__________________________

Personal Reference (name/relationship): __________________________________________________________________

Ph:____________________________ Address: _________________________________________________________

City:______________________________ ST: ________ ZIP: ______________ Email:__________________________

Interviewing Supervisor: _____________________________________________________________________________

Address: ________________________________________________________________________________________

Interviewer’s Ph: ______________________________ Email: _______________________________________________

Signature of applicant: _______________________________________________ Date: _________________

McLeod Health is Accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc.One West Court Square, Suite 325 | Decatur, GA | 404.320.1472 | acpe@acpe.edu | www.acpe.edu

Applications should be sent to McLeod Regional Medical Center, Department of Pastoral Services. Address on previous page.