Level II CPE Curriculum
Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento

Level II CPE continues to develop and build upon the competencies achieved in Level I.

Competency in Self-Awareness

Students develop a deepened self-awareness, which becomes increasingly integrated with their pastoral role.

This curriculum includes:

• The impact of one’s attitudes, values and assumptions on one’s ministry
• Family of origin issues
• Professional ethics and boundaries
• Appropriate use of power in professional relationships
• Authenticity, integrity, and immediate awareness of feelings 

Competency in Interpersonal Awareness

Students create collaborative relationships and provide leadership in peer group interactions.

This curriculum includes:

• Facilitation of support, confrontation, and clarification in group process
• Communication as a team member
• Interdisciplinary roles and scope of practice
• Consultation and referral
• Conflict management and intimacy

Conceptual Competency

Students develop further assessment skills, based on the behavioral sciences, clinical practice, and theology.

This curriculum includes:

• Impact of social conditions and structures on individual lives
• Use of community resources and referrals
• Domestic violence, child and elder abuse
• Gender issues
• Ministry to the cardiac, pediatric, neonatal, dialysis, oncology, orthopedic, and psychiatric patient (depending on student’s clinical assignment)
• Patient’s rights
• End of life care and pain management
• Substance abuse
• Religious and cultural diversity
• Crisis ministry and ministry to those with chronic illness
• Critical incident stress debriefing
• Group theory

Competency in Pastoral Functioning

Students further develop ministry skills, drawing on psychological and religious insight.

This curriculum includes:

• Multi-cultural and diversity issues
• Worship leadership
• Use of self in ministry: emotional availability and self-disclosure
• Design of ritual and liturgy
• Ministry to the dying
• Pastoral counseling skills

Ministry Development and Management

Students further their capacity to evaluate their ministry.

This curriculum includes:

• Clinical communication and documentation
• Self-supervision
• Self-care and personal support systems
• Administrative functions of professional chaplaincy
• Professional career development
• Resume development and job interview preparedness