Interfaith Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Residency Program-Oregon State Hospital (6 positions)

At the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), we value diversity and encourage applicants from all backgrounds and experiences to help us build a stronger, more equitable future for all.

About the role

The Oregon State Hospital (OSH) operates campuses in Salem, Junction City, and Pendleton to provide patient-centered, psychiatric treatment for adults from throughout the state who need hospital-level care. The hospital's primary goal is to help people recover from their illness and return to the community. Services include psychiatric evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment, as well as community outreach and peer support.

This unique, limited-duration Interfaith Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Residency Program runs from September 2026 to September 2027 (exact dates to be determined). Successful applicants will receive salary and benefits. The Oregon State Hospital does not charge tuition for units of CPE, and the cost for any educational supplies will be less than $100 per unit.

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is interfaith/interreligious professional education for ministry. It brings theological students and ministers of all religious/spiritual/humanist traditions into supervised encounter with persons in crisis. Through intense involvement with persons in need, feedback from peers and teachers, and theological/philosophical reflection, students develop new awareness of themselves and the people they serve, gaining a deeper understanding of ministry and skills in interpersonal and interprofessional relationships.

If you fulfill the most current educational requirements of ACPE, Inc., you will earn four units of CPE through ACPE, Inc., The Standard for Spiritual Care & Education, which is nationally recognized as an accrediting agency in the field of clinical pastoral education by the U.S. Department of Education. The OSH CPE program has been in existence since 1957, providing high-quality clinical education in spiritual care over the decades.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct spiritual care to clients, families, and hospital staff, based on the patient’s personal belief system.
• Conduct spiritual assessments and consult with interdisciplinary care teams.
• Facilitate Treatment Mall spiritual care groups and interfaith/interreligious services.
• Collaborate with staff chaplains, clinicians, and outside religious leaders.
• Participate in weekly CPE group learning, individual supervision, and feedback.
• Complete all educational requirements for each ACPE unit during the residency.
• Contribute to the mission of providing hope, safety, and support in recovery by providing interfaith pastoral services aligned with the belief system of each individual patient.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Completion of or degree in-progress for graduate-level theological education or formal religious training (equivalents may be accepted).
• Official endorsement or sponsorship from a recognized religious or spiritual organization (where applicable).
• At least three (3) years of full-time experience as a religious leader in a formal setting (e.g., parish, temple, mosque, congregation, etc.) or relevant clinical/institutional experience.

Skills

• Previous experience in chaplaincy or clinical settings (preferred).
• One unit of CPE (preferred, not required).
• Demonstrated capacity to support others from diverse spiritually-orienting systems with humility and respect, rather than judgment.
• Strong interpersonal, team, and communication skills.
• Capacity for personal reflection, supervision, and growth.
• Ability to receive and integrate feedback for improved ministerial functioning and professional growth.
• Ability to function effectively in emotionally intense environments.
• Cultural and religious literacy that allows for the support of patients without assumptions, while refraining from proselytizing or imposing your own worldview.

Applicants from historically underrepresented religious or faith-based organizations are strongly encouraged to apply (e.g., Muslim, Hindu, Pagan, etc.).

Benefits

• Excellent, low-cost medical, vision, and dental coverage for you and your family.
• Optional benefits like life insurance, disability coverage, deferred compensation, and FSA options for health and childcare.
• Generous paid time off: 11 holidays, 3 personal days, monthly sick leave, and vacation accrual starting at 8 hours per month.
• Potential eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Retirement security through Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP).
• Training and development opportunities to grow your career with the State of Oregon.

Pay

Salary range: $3,515.00 - $3,952.00 per month. The salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying range. If the successful candidate qualifies for PERS, the salary range will increase by 6.95%.

Schedule

• Full-time, 12-month limited-duration program (September 2026 to September 2027, exact dates to be determined).
• On-campus position in Salem, Oregon; all clinical and educational hours must be conducted on-site and on-the-clock.