The College of Pastoral Supervision & Psychotherapy is a theologically based covenant community, dedicated to "recovery of the soul" and promoting competency in the clinical pastoral field.
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CPSP's newly developed credential "Clinical Fellow in Hospice & Palliative Care" has generated lots of interest not only within the CPSP community but beyond.
Al Henager, Chair CPSP HPCC Committee, provided the Pastoral Report the committee's list of frequently asked questions and answers (Q&A) regarding CPSP's Clinical Fellow in Hospice & Palliative Care certification.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to do to get this certification?
Answer: The requirements and procedures for Clinical Fellow in Hospice & Palliative Care (CFHPC) are found in section 800 of the Standards of the College of Pastoral Supervision & Psychotherapy found on the CPSP website, www.cpsp.org. The basic requirement is that an individual must already be a Board Certified Clinical Chaplain or Board Certified Pastoral Counselor, plus additional training and experience as a chaplain in the field of Hospice & Palliative Care. As with all CPSP certifications, the process is begun with the local CPSP chapter. It is the individual’s responsibility to learn what the requirements are by becoming familiar with the CFHPC standards, initiating the process with his or her chapter, and completing the required documentation. The CPSP Standards can be found at this link: http://www.pastoralreport.com/standards.html .
I am an Associate Clinical Chaplain (or Associate Pastoral Counselor), is this sub-specialty certification in Hospice & Palliative Care available to me?
Answer: Not at first. However, standards are being written for those who are currently certified Associate Clinical Chaplains or Associate Pastoral Counselors to apply for a sub-specialty certification in Hospice & Palliative Care which will be called Clinical Associate in Hospice & Palliative Care. Watch the Pastoral Report for future announcements.
I have been working in Hospice and/or Palliative Care as a chaplain for a number of years, is there a process by which I can automatically become certified in the CFHPC sub-specialty?
Answer: The Hospice & Palliative Care Certification Committee established the “grandparenting” period for Clinical Fellow in Hospice & Palliative Care to run from September 1, 2012, to August 31, 2013. This is a period where work experience as a chaplain in H&PC done prior to December 31, 2012, may be submitted for consideration in lieu of formal training as a chaplain in Hospice & Palliative Care above the minimum 4 units of CPE required for initial BCCC or BCPC certification. Section 820.2.3 of the CPSP Standards addresses the requirements this “grandparenting” process. Please note that “gradparenting” of the credential is not automatic. Each person must apply for the credential and meet the requirements established in that section of the standards, as well as include all required documentation with the application.
Where can I get the application for Clinical Fellow in Hospice & Palliative Care?
Answer: The application face-sheet for Clinical Fellow in Hospice & Palliative Care can be found at this link: http://www.pastoralreport.com/documents.html. Click on the blue link that reads “Hospice and Palliative Care” under certification documents on the documents page. You will be able to download the CFHPC application in a PDF format.
I am a certified chaplain by another pastoral care cognate group. How can I apply for the certification as Clinical Fellow in Hospice & Palliative Care?
Answer: For those who are credentialed at the “board certified” level by one of the other pastoral care cognate groups, CPSP offers reciprocity of credentials at the Board Certified Clinical Chaplain level. Example: Board Certified Chaplains with APC/BCCI are eligible for reciprocity of their credentials to become a Board Certified Clinical Chaplain with CPSP. Candidates from other cognate groups wishing to apply for the Clinical Fellow in Hospice & Palliative Care, must first have their credentials from the other cognate group reciprocated through a local CPSP chapter and gain the CPSP credential of Board Certified Clinical Chaplain through the reciprocity. The first step in this process is to contact a convener of a CPSP chapter and express interest in joining CPSP and having their credentials reciprocated. Once that process has been completed, the candidate can then begin the process of pursuing certification as a Clinical Fellow in Hospice & Palliative Care. CPSP chapters and chapter conveners are listed in the CPSP Membership Directory found on the CPSP website: www.cpsp.org. Links to the Directory can be found at http://www.pastoralreport.com/directory.html. Please be aware that those members of others cognate groups becoming members of CPSP through the process of reciprocity are free to keep their memberships and credentials with the other organization(s) along with their new CPSP credentials.
Who makes up the Hospice & Palliative Care Certification Committee (HPCC)?
Answer: The leadership of the College of Pastoral Supervision & Psychotherapy has worked on the sub-specialty certification in hospice & palliative care for almost two years. When we began the process, we wanted as much input and feedback to the process of developing our standards as we could get. Therefore, we made at least two appeals to our membership for those interested in helping out to come forward. A number of individuals came forward, and most of these formed the nucleus of what became the Hospice & Palliative Care Certification Committee (HPCC). All of these people have significant experience as pastoral care providers in hospice and/or palliative care settings. The current members are Al Henager (chair), Barbara McGuire, Cesar Espineda, Julien Olivier, Bryan Bass-Riley, and George Hankins-Hull. Also, Raymond Lawrence and Perry Miller serve as consultants from the Executive Committee.
How do I begin the process of becoming certified as a Clinical Fellow in Hospice & Palliative Care?
Answer: First, contact your chapter convener and let that person know of your interest. Also, become familiar with the standards for the credential located in section 800 of the Standards of the College of Pastoral Supervision & Psychotherapy found on the CPSP website. Make sure you meet the requirements for the credential and download the face-sheet application discussed in question #4 above. Complete the application and submit it to your chapter through your convener. Then, pay the fee for the credential through your chapter. Next you will need to meet with your chapter to discuss your interest and qualifications. In addition, you may wish to work with your chapter to engage an outside consultant versed in the new credential to help guide you and the chapter through your certification process. Once the chapter recommends you for the credential, your application is forwarded to the Hospice & Palliative Care Certification Committee who will make the final decision. Once approved, the credential must be ratified by the Governing Council of CPSP.
What are the fees and annual dues for the new CFHPC certification?
Answer: The initial fee for the credential is $100.00. After that, there are no other annual dues or fees in addition to your regular yearly CPSP dues. Your regular yearly CPSP dues are based upon your highest earned certification. The yearly dues for Board Certified Clinical Chaplain and for Board Certified Pastoral Counselor are $50.00. The yearly dues for Diplomates are $125.00.
How can I become involved in working with the HPCC committee? I have worked in the hospice and/or palliative care field and feel I have something to contribute?
Answer: From the beginning of the process of working on the CFHPC certification, we have sought input from the CPSP community. A number of individuals who came forward formed the nucleus of what became the Hospice & Palliative Care Certification Committee (HPCC). In addition, several others gave us input into the process. The feedback of everyone who responded is valued and was given serious consideration. The HPCC is always looking for others who may make valuable contributions. Those who have an interest in becoming involved or giving feedback can contact the chair of the HPCC at CPSP.HPCC@gmail.com.
How do I pay my $100.00 certification fee for Clinical Fellow in Hospice & Palliative Care?
Answer: First, make sure all of your application paperwork is complete and that you have met with your chapter which has agreed to recommend you for this certification. Also, be sure your convener has submitted your face sheet and supporting documents to the chair of the HPCC committee. Then, have the convener of your chapter send an email to the CPSP Treasurer Charles Kirby at cpsptreasurer@gmail.com requesting Charles send you an invoice for the CFHPC certification fee. Make sure your convener includes your email address. Charles will then send you an invoice for the fee. You can pay the amount 2 ways: (1) Send a check or money order in U. S. funds to Charles at the address on the invoice OR (2) Pay by credit card or debit card by using the link on the bottom of the invoice. The online payment procedure is quick and easy. Once you have the receipt for the payment of your fee, forward a copy of it, along with a copy of the receipt for payment of your regular CPSP certification dues (for BCCC, BCPC, or Diplomate) to the HPCC chair at cpsp.hpcc@gmail.com.
Posted by Perry Miller, Editor at October 9, 2012 10:19 PM
