The CPE Residency program provides a variety of ministry settings in the medical center that ensure that students receive a solid foundation of knowledge and experience for ministry in any area of an acute care medical facility.  Students completing the CPE Residency receive credit for four training units of ACPE accredited CPE training that is registered with ACPE, Inc.  The emphasis in the one year of CPE training is upon gaining or enhancing pastoral ministry skills while gaining an understanding and acceptance of the pastoral caregiver's unique identity. The rotation through various clinical assignments during a Residency provides Pastoral Care Residents with a variety of learning environments. Residents are also prepared for more effective ministry in settings beyond the hospital environment.

There is also the possibility for experienced students to focus in more specialized types of ministry with a greater emphasis upon building advanced pastoral competency.  These students have the opportunity to increase their pastoral competence by specializing, if desired, in any of the hospital's ministry areas for an extended period of time during their extended training. Areas of specialization are negotiable, based on the Resident's needs, interests and unique gifts. Building on the skills learned earlier in CPE, Level II students often select specializations such as Cardiac Ministry, Oncology Ministry, Emergency Room Ministry, Pediatric Ministry, Post-Surgical Ministry, Crisis Ministry, Obstetrics and Gynecology Ministry, Acute Care Ministry or other specialization opportunities.

Benefits

• Highly Competitive Stipend
• No Tuition
• Employee Health Care Coverage at a nominal fee for student and family
• Personal Time Off accumulates commensurate with the Length of Time as VBHS Employee
• Training in a Multi-Cultural Context Opportunity

Admission

Admission to the Residency Program normally requires:

• A completed application furnished by VBHS
• A Minimum of an M.Div. degree or equivalent theological education (equivalency is determined by the CPE Center Director)
• Ordination, Professed Religious status, or movement toward some form of full-time ministry
• Interview at VBHS by CPE Admissions Committee
• Acceptance into the VBHS CPE Program

Application Procedures

Application can be made by requesting an Application Packet from the CPE Center which contains an application form and extensive information about the VBHS CPE program. Following a review of the written CPE application documents by the Screening Committee of the CPE Advisory Committee, an invitation for an Admission Interview in Harlingen is extended to those applicants selected by the CPE Admissions Committee for an On-Site Interview. Transportation and related expenses for those invited for an On-Site Interview are the responsibility of the applicant.

For more detailed information, please click here to view a PDF file, phone (956) 389-6750 {FAX: (956) 389-6755} or write to:

                       Ms. Loretta C. Salinas, A.A.S.
         Education Coordinator
         CPE Center, Valley Baptist Health System
         P.O. Box 2588
         Harlingen, Texas 78551-2588
                        Email: Loretta.Salinas@valleybaptist.net

Clinical Pastoral Education