ClinicalChaplaincy.org combines live online CPE training with in-person spiritual-care practice at an approved site near each trainee. The trainee takes the lead in identifying a possible site; we provide the standards, agreements, review, and ongoing coordination needed to make the placement safe, accountable, and educationally strong.

What May Qualify

Hospitals, hospices, palliative-care programs, long-term-care and rehabilitation settings, behavioral-health programs, correctional settings, congregations, community organizations, and comparable settings may qualify.

 

The decisive question is not the institution’s label. It is whether the trainee will have a defined spiritual-care role, sufficient real encounters, appropriate access, local support, and meaningful opportunities to learn the human and organizational dimensions of care.

Who Does What

The trainee proposes a site, completes required onboarding and clearances, follows both site and program policies, records clinical hours, and brings de-identified clinical material to CPE supervision.

 

The Site Supervisor is the local point person. The Site Supervisor coordinates orientation, role, scope, schedule, access, safety, and documentation; provides guidance and candid feedback about professionalism, reliability, teamwork, boundaries, adherence to the approved role, and use of the setting; verifies clinical hours; and contacts the Clinical Training Supervisor when concerns arise.

 

The Site Supervisor does not coach, teach, or correct the trainee concerning how spiritual care should be provided. Questions or concerns about clinical method or learning objectives are brought to the Clinical Training Supervisor.

 

The Clinical Training Supervisor conducts the CPE learning process—including individual and group supervision, case consultation, curriculum, clinical method, learning objectives, and evaluation—and determines whether the placement, clinical hours, and trainee performance satisfy program requirements.

Approval Process

1. Explore a possible site and identify a prospective Site Supervisor.

2. Submit the Placement Proposal and Site Readiness Review.

3. Participate in any follow-up conversation or virtual site review requested by the Clinical Training Supervisor.

4. Complete the site agreement, trainee-specific unit addendum, Site Supervisor orientation, site onboarding, insurance verification, and required clearances.

5. Begin counting clinical hours only after receiving written program approval.

During the Unit

A CPE unit includes at least 400 hours: a minimum of 300 clinical hours and 100 contact hours devoted to structured CPE learning and supervision. Clinical work should be distributed responsibly across the unit rather than compressed at the beginning or end.

 

The trainee maintains a contemporaneous clinical-hours log. The Site Supervisor verifies that the reported activity occurred within the approved role, and the Clinical Training Supervisor determines whether the hours are acceptable for CPE credit. Progress is reviewed at Mid-Unit and at the end of the unit.

 

On-call or telechaplaincy activity counts only when it is authorized, supervised, documented, and appropriate to the placement.

Can I Use My Current Workplace or Ministry Setting?

Possibly. The placement must create a defined spiritual-care learning role, not simply relabel ordinary employment or ministry. The site must meet the same standards, agree to the CPE structure, designate a qualified Site Supervisor, and provide a way to distinguish and verify approved clinical hours.

What Makes a Strong Site Supervisor?

The Site Supervisor should know the setting, understand the trainee’s role, and have the standing to coordinate access and address concerns.

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The Site Supervisor provides operational guidance and candid feedback about professionalism, reliability, teamwork, boundaries, adherence to the approved role, and use of the setting—without coaching, teaching, or correcting the trainee concerning how spiritual care should be provided.

For Interested Institutions

A clinical placement can expand spiritual-care capacity while helping prepare a reflective, accountable chaplain. We aim to make participation clear and proportionate: one primary agreement for the site, one short addendum for each trainee and unit, a brief Site Supervisor orientation, and planned communication at the beginning, midpoint, and end.

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To discuss a possible placement, contact admissions@clinicalchaplaincy.org.

Placement Documents

Required forms and agreements are provided during the placement review and approval process.

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