Clinical Pastoral Education Program

About Eau Claire

Eau Claire is a vibrant university community of 67,000 people in northwestern Wisconsin. The city successfully integrates a wide variety of activities and urban amenities with a picturesque wooded and rural landscape surrounding two rivers and Half Moon Lake.

We're only 90 miles from the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul and from Rochester, Minnesota, making them easily accessible for day trips or special events.

There really is something for everyone in Eau Claire:

• Excellent outdoor trails and parks
• Great local farmers markets
• Lively music and art scene
• Theaters and performances
• Races and running clubs
• Rich history and fun museums
• Outstanding K-12 schools
• Fantastic restaurants
• Diverse shopping
• And, of course, Wisconsin cheese

Want to know more about what's happening this month in Eau Claire? Check out Volume One, a local culture and entertainment magazine.

Positions

The program accepts four residents annually. Applications are accepted beginning September 1, with a May 12 deadline for the September start date. A rolling admissions process is used, and early applications are encouraged.

Admission requirements

Prerequisites

To be eligible to apply for the Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Residency Program

• A college degree coupled with some theological education from a CHEA or an ATS accredited institution is preferred. Current seminary students, as well as local faith leaders, are urged to apply. Members in a religious order may also be considered
• One unit of CPE is preferred prior to a year-long residency
• Show motivation for clinical pastoral education training and the healthcare ministry
• Demonstrate the potential for advanced training
• Have clearly defined educational objectives for the experience

In order to establish a cohort that reflects the values of Mayo Clinic and the patients we serve, Mayo Clinic Health System CPE encourages and welcomes a diverse and inclusive group of applicants, reflecting a broad range of experience, backgrounds, cultures and religious/spiritual perspectives.;

Non-U.S. citizen applicants

Authorization to work and remain in the United States, without necessity for Mayo Clinic sponsorships now, or in the future (for example, be a U.S. Citizen, national, or permanent resident, refugee, or asylee).

How to apply

Disability accommodations

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status. Learn more about "EEO is the Law." Mayo Clinic participates in E-Verify and may provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. For more information see: Working at Mayo Clinic.

For more information on how to apply

Contact Rev. Matt Cisneros

Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire
1221 Whipple St.
Eau Claire, WI 54703-4105

Phone: 715-464-5813
Email: cisneros.matthew@mayo.edu

Interview process

The selection committee carefully reviews each application and the accompanying documentation. Individuals considered for an appointment are interviewed.

Trainee experiences

The Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Residency offers a comprehensive educational experience combining clinical training, classroom didactics and clinical rotations.

Clinical training and rotations

Didactic training

Clinical presentations, seminars and small group processes are integral components. Lectures and seminars are presented by staff chaplains, interdisciplinary team members and certified educators. Following orientation, there are opportunities for one or two didactic seminars per week.

The year is broken into three units:

Unit I: Orientation to Mayo Clinic and CPE, Spiritual Assessment, Theological Reflection and the Art of Spiritual Care

A few of the didactics provided include:

• Mayo Clinic history and values
• Spiritual assessment
• Spiritual care in a multicultural/multifaith setting
• Listening skills
• Identity as a spiritual care provider
• Theological reflection
• Theodicy (why bad things happen)
• End-of-life care and grief
• Research literacy and its impact on spiritual care

Unit II: The use of Psychological Tools in the Spiritual Care of Patients, Families and Staff

• Developmental theories
• Spiritual development (Fowler)
• Trauma-informed care
• Enneagrams
• Crucial conversations
• Opportunity to lead meditation/grounding for morning huddle

Unit III:  Medical Ethics and Leadership in Spiritual Care

• Clinical ethics and the Mayo Clinic ethics consult service
• The history of ethics
• How spiritual care departments function
• How to become a board-certified chaplain
• Leadership

Clinical experiences

The CPE residency offers:

• 10-12 hours small group didactic and small group process weekly
• One-hour weekly individual supervision
• Clinical work on assigned units, with orientation and mentoring by a board-certified chaplain
• Daily opportunities to provide spiritual care on patient units as well as on-call clinical experiences
• Daily opportunities to collaborate with the interdisciplinary team

Reflection on clinical experiences fosters self-awareness, enhances listening and spiritual assessment skills, and builds competence in providing meaningful interventions. This transformative process helps residents develop their identity and authority as spiritual care providers. Experienced staff chaplains and other interdisciplinary team members provide mentoring and collaboration.

Rotations

Rotations are assigned based on resident interests and gradually increasing challenges. Mayo Clinic offers diverse specialties and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration with nurses, doctors, social workers and other healthcare professionals.

• Cardiology
• Oncology
• Gynecology / Women’s Health
• General internal medicine
• Dialysis
• Palliative Care
• Intensive care
• Neurology
• Pediatrics
• Psychiatry
• Surgery

Curriculum enhancements

Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire continuously assesses and updates the curriculum to maintain the highest quality training.

Schedule and hours

Classroom instruction typically involves eight-hour days, five days a week. The on-call schedule requires evening and weekend shifts; the frequency and duration of on-call shifts will be clarified during the program orientation. Residents participate in all service shifts, including days, evenings, nights and weekends. Opportunities to lead or participate in interdenominational Christian worship services may be available for specific holidays and additional non-specific faith services such as Memorial Services and Blessing of the Hands during Nurses’ Week.

Department and faculty

The program faculty primarily consists of ACPE-credentialed certified educators. Adjunct faculty includes staff chaplains from Spiritual Care and presenters from Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire, including clinical, scientific and technical staff selected for their teaching commitment and clinical and research experience.

Additional Educational Opportunities

Mayo Clinic hosts numerous prominent professors annually, offering students opportunities to learn from visiting experts through lectures, conferences, and on-site and online seminars.

Stipend

A stipend for the Clinical Pastoral Education Residency is paid to residents in biweekly installments over the course of the 12 months.

Health benefits

This position is eligible for Mayo Clinic's benefit package, including options for coverage of spouse and dependents, and paid time off.

Living expenses

Living expenses, such as transportation, housing and meals, are the responsibility of the resident.