February 23, 1999
Harborview Pastoral Care receives teaching accreditation
An unexpected, life-threatening event can challenge people’s ability to
cope, their beliefs, and everything they are–physically, mentally and
spiritually. How can clergy best minister to those in crisis?
As Harborview Medical Center, the state’s only Level 1 trauma center,
treats the most critically ill and injured patients from throughout the
region, its Pastoral Care staff are committed to tending to the spiritual
and emotional needs of patients and their families. The hospital’s
Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program gives seminary graduates
hands-on experience supporting the spiritual needs of patients and their
families during extreme moments of crisis.
The Association of Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) recently deemed
Harborview’s Pastoral Care program as having “all the essential components
of a creditable ACPE program.” The certification follows a two-day site
visit last fall.
Harborview’s CPE program, which began last year, offers theological
students, qualified laity and others the opportunity to interact with
patients, families and health-care professionals, according to Nancy
Chambers, director of Pastoral Care. The goal is to provide a learning
environment for the student while providing additional spiritual resources
for patients and their families.
“Harborview’s Level I trauma designation provides a powerful learning
environment,” Chambers explains. “The community is beginning to realize
the value of a multi-faith training opportunity for future clergy.”
The ACPE is nationally recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S.
Department of Education. Its mission is to “foster experience-based
theological education which combines the practice of pastoral care with
qualified supervision and peer group reflection and which is grounded in a
person-based approach to religious ministry.”
