Competencies
CASC/ACSS competencies define skills, abilities, attitudes, and knowledge required by CASC/ACSS Members.
Competencies of CASC/ACSS Certified Professionals
CASC/ACSS identifies two types of Certified Professional: Spiritual Care Practitioner and Psycho-Spiritual Therapist.
CASC/ACSS Certified Professionals demonstrate competence in the four key domains of Professional Identity, Knowledge, Professional Ethical Conduct and Professional Skills, and can demonstrate initiative and adaptability inclusive of leadership initiatives in complex systems. CASC/ACSS Members working towards Certification grow in these areas of competence through their CASC/ACSS training and education.
Competencies of CASC/ACSS Certified Supervisor-Educators
CASC/ACSS recognizes Supervised Pastoral Education (SPE) Supervisor-Educators in the areas of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and Pastoral Counselling Education (PCE).
Certified Supervisor-Educators demonstrate supervisory competence in the field of SPE and can conduct SPE programs in keeping with the standards of CASC/ACSS. CASC/ACSS recognizes Supervisor-Educators in the areas of Spiritual Care (CPE) and Psycho-Spiritual Therapy (PCE).
Competencies of CASC/ACSS Certified Professionals Specializing in Palliative and Bereavement Care
A core team of four CASC/ACSS Certified Members completed a multi-site research project entitled “Validating Advanced Practice Competencies for Spiritual Care Professionals specializing in Palliative and Bereavement Care in Canada.” Vivian Stang at the Ottawa Hospital, Christine Enfield, at the Grey Nuns Community Hospital, Edmonton, Heather Koots from Edmonton Alberta and Peter Barnes from Eastern Health in Newfoundland were co-investigators for this project.
In April 2021, the CASC/ACSS Board approved the nine Competencies identified in this research project as official Competencies for CASC/ACSS Certified Spiritual Care Professionals Specializing in Palliative and Bereavement Care.