CPE Programs at VUMC

Vanderbilt University Medical Center Chaplain Residents are an integral part of the spiritual care team as well as the interdisciplinary team. Chaplain Residents provide regular on-call coverage including overnights on weekdays and weekends.  A $45,017 annual stipend is provided, along with paid time-off and full employee benefits.

Our CPE Residency Program includes four full units (early-September thru early-September each academic year) of ACPE-accredited clinical pastoral education and offers advanced training in clinical pastoral care, emphasizing the integration of head and heart.

Residents experience clinical assignments that provide in-depth exposure to specialty areas, enabling each resident to become an integral part of the health care team as a part of a strong Pastoral Care Department, functioning with a high degree of autonomy and accountability. They participate in all aspects of the ministry of Pastoral Care Department, including participating fully in the 24/7 spiritual care coverage cycle. This means that residents will be on-call a substantial amount of time during the year, including overnights on weekdays and weekends, as well as working full shifts on weekend days, as needed.

Residents are engaged in meaningful, challenging ministry, while strengthening their personal, professional and theological capacities through reflecting upon, understanding, and growing from the lived experience of ministry. Residents are able to enhance their sense of personal, professional identity, to strengthen their capacity for theological reflection, to improve their pastoral ministry skills, and to deepen their own spirituality.

The CPE Residency Program is a rigorous course of study and professional training. Applicants for the residency program should demonstrate a high commitment and interest in pursuing such intensive pastoral care training, and must be able to articulate clearly their professional goals and motivation for the intensive training. Because of the intensity, the residency program requires a full-time commitment without any other part-time or full-time study or job in order to have the maximum benefit of integration and transformation the residency program can offer. Residents are employed by the hospital and therefore also must meet all of Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s standards for employment.

International applicants should apply at least 15 months before the beginning of each residency to allow for enough time to secure Visa and other necessary documents.

Please Note: All positions have been filled for the 2024-2025 CPE Residency.

For any inquiries or to submit an application for the 2025-2026 CPE Residency, please contact:

Rev. Frank Mächt, Senior Program Manager and ACPE Certified Educator: frank.r.macht@vumc.org / 615-936-2380

Lexie Hunsicker, CPE Registrar and Administrative Assistant: alexis.j.hunsicker@vumc.org / 615-343-3537