CPE curriculum at Vanderbilt University Medical Center emphasizes pastoral relationships and integration of head and heart. CPE curriculum integrates personal history, behavioral sciences, theology, spiritual direction and professional development. Spiritual care staff, clinical specialists, professional advisory group and community members lend their experience in their areas of specialty and interest.
CPE Residency Program
Vanderbilt University Medical Center Chaplain Residents are an integral part of the spiritual care team as well as the interdisciplinary team. Chaplain Residents provide regular on-call coverage including overnights on weekdays and weekends. Accommodations are provided at Vanderbilt for on-call duty. A $40,000 stipend is provided, along with paid time-off and full employee benefits.
This residency program includes three full units of ACPE-accredited clinical pastoral education and offers advanced training in clinical pastoral care, emphasizing the integration of head and heart.
Residents experience clinical assignments that provide in-depth exposure to specialty areas, enabling each resident to become an integral part of the health care team as a part of a strong Pastoral Care Department, functioning with a high degree of autonomy and accountability. They participate in all aspects of the ministry of Pastoral Care Department, including participating fully in the 24/7 spiritual care coverage cycle. This means that residents will be on-call a substantial amount of time during the year, including overnights on weekdays and weekends, as well as working full shifts on weekend days, as needed.
Residents are engaged in meaningful, challenging ministry, while strengthening their personal, professional and theological capacities through reflecting upon, understanding, and growing from the lived experience of ministry. Residents are able to enhance their sense of personal, professional identity, to strengthen their capacity for theological reflection, to improve their pastoral ministry skills, and to deepen their own spirituality.
Between each unit there is an "integration period" in which regular CPE course work ceases for a period of 4-5 weeks. The resident functions primarily as a staff chaplain. Educational modules are offered during these time periods and residents may utilize their vacation time during these periods.
The CPE Residency Program is a rigorous course of study and professional training. Applicants for the residency program should demonstrate a high commitment and interest in pursuing such intensive pastoral care training, and must be able to articulate clearly their professional goals and motivation for the intensive training. Residents are employed by the hospital and therefore also must meet all of Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s standards for employment.