Careers

Clinical Pastoral Education at ECU Health

You belong where you will be supported.
Over 40 years of compassionate training and service
For more than four decades, ECU Health has recognized the vital role of pastoral care in promoting holistic health and healing. Clinical pastoral care has been at the heart of ECU Health’s mission—integrated into patient care, team member support and community outreach across the health system.

The Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program has been a cornerstone of this mission, serving as a respected training ground for clergy, chaplains, seminarians and laypersons. Whether entering the field or expanding your role in caregiving, the program equips participants to serve with compassion, clarity, cultural sensitivity and clinical acuity in a wide range of settings—from hospitals, hospices and congregations to other venues addressing human needs.

CPE is an allied health professional training program rooted in clinical practice, the behavioral sciences, theological reflection and self-exploration. It is intentionally interfaith and inclusive, welcoming individuals from diverse religious, spiritual and cultural traditions.

Participants engage in supervised clinical encounters with patients and families facing illness, trauma, crisis, grief, end-of-life realities and other life challenges. Through these real-life experiences, participants develop essential clinical care competencies, grow in their ability to provide a deep and empathetic pastoral relationships and enhance their personal and professional identity.

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Your training
CPE chaplain trainees become active members of the interdisciplinary health care team, collaborating with professionals across clinical fields. They also benefit from working alongside experienced chaplains at ECU Health, who bring passion and depth to their roles as clinical caregivers and mentors.

The training takes place in both individual and group settings, where the CPE trainees reflect on their experiences, especially during Clinical Case Conferences, where they share insights and offer and receive thoughtful feedback from peers and supervisors. CPE draws deeply from the disciplines of the behavioral sciences, theology and self-exploration.
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CPE at ECU Health fosters:
  • Deep personal and professional growth through self-reflection and feedback
  • Increased self-understanding and use of self as the primary instrument of care
  • Enhanced utilization of professional consultation
  • A rich understanding of diversity, ethics and systemic care
  • Real-world clinical experience alongside interdisciplinary teams
  • Preparation for professional chaplaincy and board certification
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Ready for the next step?

If you feel called to serve in the sacred space where faith meets human need, we invite you to begin your CPE journey with us. Whether you're discerning a vocation or strengthening your ministry, ECU Health's CPE program will help you grow as a skilled, compassionate and resilient spiritual caregiver.

If you are interested in applying for a CPE Program at ECU Health Medical Center, please check this page later for our updated application.
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Submit by mail:

Submit by mail:
ECU Health Medical Center
Clinical Pastoral Education Program
P.O. Box 6028 Greenville, NC 27835-6028

Submit by email:
Email application to pastoral.care@ecuhealth.org

Please mail the $25 application fee to:
ECU Health Medical Center
Clinical Pastoral Education Program
P.O. Box 6028 Greenville, NC 27835-6028
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Submit by email:

Application process timeline:
Applications for our CPE programs are reviewed on a rolling, monthly basis throughout the year.

All submitted applications must meet the standards and guidelines outlined within the official application form. To ensure a smooth review process, please take time to thoroughly complete and proofread your application prior to submission. Incomplete or inaccurate applications may delay your candidacy or disqualify you from consideration.
Please note - the application fee may be paid by check, money order or Cashier's Check. Make the check or money order out to ECU Health Medical Center. On the memo line on the bottom left side of the check, write CPE Application Fee.

If you are sending a paper application, do not use spiral binding, three ring binders or page protectors. Do not send materials printed double sided; send only single-sided prints. This makes the processing of your application more timely and efficient and we thank you for your consideration.