Summer Unit Program Description

Summer Unit - Level I CPE

(Download a PDF of this information.)

A. Certification of Training

According to the ACPE Standards*, the total time required for an accredited unit of CPE is a minimum of 400 hours of training that includes both at least 300 contact hours of patient visitation and at least 100 of instruction and peer group reflection. Successful completion of a minimum of 400 hours of supervised learning will provide the participating interns with credit for one unit of Level I CPE.

B. Time Structure of Program

• The Summer Unit Program will run for 10 -11 weeks (depending on the schedule of holidays), usually beginning the second week of June and continuing through mid-August.

• The Summer Unit intern is a paid position. As a short term temporary employee the Summer Intern is not eligible for benefits. The summer intern will be assigned to work rotating shifts at the Medical Center for a total of 40 hours each week including class time. These shifts may include both weekday evenings (M-F 3:00pm – 11:30pm or 11:00pm – 7:30am) or weekends (7:00am – 3:30pm, 3:00pm – 11:30pm or 11:00pm - 7:30am) the intern is expected to do rounds and respond to emergency calls in the medical center during their shift.

• A mid-summer retreat will be scheduled for students.

C. Clinical Pastoral Assignment/Responsibility

• During orientation, interns will have an opportunity to express preference for assigned patient units within the hospital, based on the interns’ learning goals. These assignments will be considered the intern’s “parish” (which may be shared with staff chaplains who will mentor the intern). The Summer Unit intern should expect a full summer of activity and not make arrangements for outside employment or other work activities.

• The intern’s immediate responsibility as a member of the health care team is always to the clinical supervisor of the Spiritual Care Department, and within the department they serve, the department’s charge nurse on duty, the department director, or the nursing supervisor for any treatment or administrative concerns. The intern is always responsible to the ACPE Supervisor for ministry and training concerns.

• The Intern should expect a full summer of learning activity and not make arrangements for outside work activities.

D. Seminars and Supervision:

Following a 40-hour orientation (first week), there will be regularly scheduled seminars each week:

1. Verbatim Seminars: (1-1½ hours) One intern will be responsible at each seminar for presentation of clinical materials (verbatim) from a pastoral care relationship for group supervision.

2. Human Relations Lab: (1½-2 hours) Open agenda; peer group interaction for any personal, professional, or interpersonal concerns.

3. Didactic Seminars: (1-1½ hours) Each presentation will be made by the ACPE Supervisor, staff chaplains, hospital staff, or other community resource persons.

4. During the first 5 weeks of the Unit, the intern group will participate in a 20-hour HRD Seminar. This listening skill curriculum will use printed materials, multimedia and videotape role-play to learn and improve listening and responding skills.

5. Required Individual Supervisory Sessions with the ACPE Supervisor where the agenda is primarily the intern’s to discuss personal and professional concerns and clarify learning issues.

E. Written Work & Other Responsibilities

1. Preparation of verbatims or other clinical material for presentation to assigned verbatim seminar.
2. Preparation of weekly summaries or other materials as requested for individual supervision.
3. Sharing responsibility for worship services in rotation with CPE group.
4. Two written book reports will be required. The Supervisor will make individual assignments and suggestions.
5. A theodicy paper, which reviews the intern’s theological understanding of suffering in the world.
6. Written mid-unit and final evaluation of progress will be prepared and shared with the training group.
7. Visitation reports that help the department with continuity of care and quality improvement.

F. Admission to Program

Admission is based on:

• A completed ACPE application with application fee.
• An admission interview with a qualified interviewer.
• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• A bachelor degree from an accredited college or university is preferred. Participation in some form of theological education/pastoral education and/or active participation in a community of faith.
• A proven aptitude for interpersonal work, sound mental/emotional health, and the ability to minister in a cross-cultural, interfaith setting.

G. Costs

• A non-refundable $25.00 application fee submitted with ACPE application (credited toward tuition)
• $300.00 non-refundable deposit upon acceptance into the unit (credited toward tuition, remaining balance of $275.00 due on the first day of the unit)
• Unit tuition: $600.00
• Approximately $30.00 for required books for the unit (some books may be borrowed)

H. Application

Application can be made in either electronic form from this Web Page, or for further information, please contact:

Rev. Rich Gorman, Clinical Supervisor
St. Luke’s CPE Center
St. Luke’s Boise Regional Medical Center
190 East Bannock Street
Boise, ID 83712
Phone: (208) 381-2100
Email: gormanr@slrmc.org

I. St. Luke’s Staff

Thomas Aronson
Director, Department of Spiritual Care Services

Rev. Rich Gorman, Clinical Supervisor
Department of Spiritual Care Services
Board Certified Chaplain, Association of Professional Chaplains

Rev. Richard (Alex) Chamberlain, Staff Chaplain
Board Certified Chaplain, Association of Professional Chaplains

Rev. Brian Greenwood, Associate Chaplain, Hospice

Rev. Karla Nielsen, Staff Chaplain
Board Certification Pending, Association of Professional Chaplains

Rev. Cheryl Haney, Chaplain/OR Liaison
Affiliate Member, Association of Professional Chaplains

Rev. Kelly Loy, Staff Chaplain
Board Certified Chaplain, Association of Professional Chaplains

Greg Nealon, Associate Chaplain

J. National/Regional Offices

ACPE Executive Director:
Rev. Teresa E. Snorton, D.Min.
ACPE, Inc.
1549 Clairmont Road, Suite 103
Decatur, GA 30033
(404) 320-1472

ACPE Pacific Region Director:
Rev. John Moody
1245 Young Street Suite 204
Honolulu, HI 96814
(808) 591-6556
phm@pacifichealthministry.org

*Standards can be found on the Web at www.acpe.edu.