Spiritual Care CPE frequently asked questions

What is the tuition for CPE at Harborview/UWMC?
Tuition for the first unit at HMC/UWMC is $650. 
Tuition for a second or third unit is reduced to $500.

Do you offer housing or tuition waivers for CPE interns?
We do not offer housing for CPE interns.  Many interns from out of town have success finding housing through their faith-tradition connections.  We are sometimes able to offer reduced tuition based on student need.  Requests for reduced tuition must be made in writing explaining the circumstances of the request.

Is medical insurance provided for CPE Interns?
No.  Interns need to rely on their own medical insurance.

How many hours per week are required for a CPE Unit? How is that time broken down?

Summer CPE (June-August) is a full-time (40+ hrs/week) commitment to education in Spiritual Care at Harborview and University of Washington Medical Center. Over the course of the unit, a student will regularly serve over 20 hours per week in assigned clinical ministry and serve six to eight 12-hour, House Chaplain shifts. Each student receives 11 sessions of total individual supervision for the unit. Approximately 10 hours per week is devoted to training groups, which include verbatim seminars, didactics and group life.

Fall CPE (early Sept.- late Jan)/Spring CPE (late Jan.-late May)
For these separate and respective part-time units, students are required to be engaged in active clinical contact for 60 hours per month in the Fall and 75 hours in the Spring. This can be accomplished through time spent in assigned treatment areas and through patient encounters when assigned to House Chaplain shifts (six to eight 12-hour shifts per month). Each student receives 11 sessions of total individual supervision for the unit. Training groups, which include verbatim seminars, didactics and group life, meet on Thursday evenings from 3:30 to 8:30.

How many day and overnight (house chaplain) shifts will I be expected to serve a month?
Each student will cover six to eight 12-hour house-chaplain shifts a month.  The House Chaplain carries the House Chaplain pager and responds to pages in person or by triaging to other chaplains.

What is the yearly CPE schedule of units offered for Harborview/UWMC?

Spring CPE:  late January-late May
Summer CPE:  Early June-Late August
Fall CPE:  early September - late Jan
Residency:  Late August to late August

What are the requirements to apply for the yearlong residency?

• Applicants must have completed 1 unit of CPE
• Active relationship with a faith-tradition.
• Education preferred for position:  Minimum 4 year college degree plus graduate studies. Preferred: MDiv or equivalent. 

NOTE:  Specific dates and CPE application can be found on our website: http://depts.washington.edu/chaplain/cpesched.html

When do I find out my primary hospital and unit assignments?
We do our best to accommodate students’ requests, but the final assignment is made upon arrival, considering the needs of the medical institutions and the CPE group.

How does CPE fit into my schedule if I have a full-time job?
The summer unit is full time, and cannot be completed with a full time job.  Fall/Spring CPE requires a flexible work schedule. Weekly group time is mandatory (schedule may vary by unit; please discuss at the time of your interview).  Clinical hours, small group meetings, supervision time, and House Chaplain hours can be negotiated in consideration of student schedules.  Some weekend and evening House Chaplain shifts are required.  Students will negotiate House Chaplain shifts with their peers.

What days/times do CPE Students need to be available?
Weekly group time is mandatory (schedule may vary by unit; please discuss at the time of your interview).  Some weekend and evening House Chaplain shifts are required.  Clinical, supervision, and House Chaplain hours will be negotiated with supervisors and peers.  The summer unit is full time plus weekend and evening House Chaplain shifts.

Are there reading materials recommended as preparation for a CPE unit?
Suggested bibliography for a first unit:

• The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down – Ann Fadiman
• Taking Care – Carrie Doehring
• All Our Losses, All Our Griefs – Herbert Anderson and Kenneth Mitchell
• A Grief Observed – C. S. Lewis
• Culture & Nursing Care – UCSF School of Nursing (on all nursing units)
• Death & Dying in Ethnic America – The Cross Cultural Healthcare Program

How many students are accepted for a typical unit?
A typical unit includes 5-8 interns and 4-5 residents.

How do I sign up for sequential units of CPE?
Speak with your supervisor during the unit.  Current students have acceptance priority, but are encouraged to meet application deadlines.

How many units of CPE do I need to become a certified chaplain?
The minimum number of units required for CPE certification is 4 units of CPE.  Other requirements including ordination, endorsement from a faith community and Master’s level education are included on the following national websites:  Association for Professional Chaplains: www.professionalchaplains.org, the National Association of Catholic Chaplains:  www.nacc.org/resources and the National Association of Jewish Chaplains:  www.najc.org/main.

How can I visit one of the medical centers or meet with a supervisor?
You are welcome to arrange a visit through Susan Wilbanks, the Operations Manager for the department.  Susan can usually arrange a visit with a current student or resident, as well as a short tour of Harborview or UWMC.  A visit with a supervisor is most productive after you have filled out an application.  Applications are available online at http://depts.washington.edu/chaplain/cpeapplication.html

May I volunteer as a chaplain at HMC or UWMC without taking CPE?
This is not possible. All of our chaplains are engaged in the educational process of CPE.