Chaplain

Full Job Description

This position is located within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMC), Chaplain Service (CS).

The position provides services within various settings, including Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs), Inpatient Clinics, Outpatient Clinics, and domiciliaries throughout the United States.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS. To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must possess the following: Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.).

Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens according to 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).

Education: Applicants must possess a Master of Divinity degree or equivalent educational qualifications as evidenced by a graduate-level theological degree from a college, university or theological school accredited by a member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and recognized by the U.S.

Department of Education.

NOTE: For applicants who do not possess a Master of Divinity degree or equivalent educational degree, an approved educational equivalency review from a nationally recognized board certification body for chaplains (see paragraph d) is acceptable.

Ecclesiastical Endorsement: In accordance with 38 C.F.R. § 17.655, ecclesiastical endorsement is a condition of employment as a VA chaplain.

An individual must possess and maintain a full and active ecclesiastical endorsement to be employed as a VA chaplain.

Applicants must have an ecclesiastical endorsement, dated within the past 12 months.

Ecclesiastical endorsements must be from the official national endorsing authority of the applicant's/employee's faith group or denomination.

Ecclesiastical endorsement is a written official statement, by the official national endorsing body of the faith group or denomination, certifying that the applicant is in good standing with the applicant's faith group or denomination; and stating that the individual is, in the opinion of the endorsing body, qualified to perform the full range of ministry required in the VA pluralistic setting.

Loss of endorsement will result in removal from the GS-0060 Chaplain series and may result in termination of employment.

The National Chaplain Service maintains a list of approved endorsing organizations that can be found here: National VA Chaplain Service SharePoint. Board Certification: (1) Certification.

Applicants must be a Board-Certified Chaplain certified by BCCI ® or a U.S. certifying body that has a reciprocity agreement with BCCI ®. Board Certification that requires 4 units of CPE is qualifying.

The National Chaplain Service maintains a list of approved certifications found on the National VA Chaplain Service SharePoint.

Note: Provisional or Associate or other status as a candidate for board certification does not meet the board certification requirement for the FPL GS-11 or above.

Loss of Credential: Management officials, in collaboration with HR Office staff must immediately relieve employees who fail to maintain any of the required certifications (board certification, ecclesiastical endorsement, or when applicable a speciality certification) of the duties and responsibilities associated with this occupation which may also result in separation from employment.

HR Office staff must appoint Chaplains according to the provisions in VA Handbook, Part II, Chapter 3, Section B, paragraph 16, who have, or ever had, their Chaplain board certification, ecclesiastical endorsement, or specialty certification revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status GRADE DETERMINATIONS.

In addition to the basic requirements for employment, candidates must meet the following grade determining criteria for placement at grade levels specified.

Chaplain, GS-12 Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-11).

Specialty Certification: Specialty certification is demonstrated advanced practice and/or specialization in chaplaincy beyond the board certification and is required for the GS-12 grade level.

Specialty certification from a professional chaplain certifying body that is directly related to the assignment is qualifying for a senior chaplain assignment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to apply relevant theories and methodologies to their ministry specialty.

Ability to integrate specialized psychological and sociological theory with an advanced approach to spiritual care.

Skill to seek out primary research and research literature that informs the ministry specialty and one's spiritual care practice.

Skill in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of chaplain practice and services in the specialty area, utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes.

Ability to mediate conflict, hold various emotions and diffuse moral distress among staff and complex crisis situations.

Ability to provide specialized consultation, teaching and mentoring to colleagues and students on advanced spiritual care interventions in the service delivery area.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: This position requires the Chaplain to meaningfully engage with Veteran patients and family members by walking and moving within the healthcare setting or with the incumbent using an assistive device.

The Chaplain is required to speak, hear (hearing aid permitted) and work closely with others.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-12 to GS-12. Major Duties:

Serves as a Chaplain professional providing comprehensive, religious ministry services to Veteran patients according to their specific needs and desires.

Carries out a ministry which is highly integrated into VHA's Chaplain program. Provides thorough guidance and advice to Chaplain Service management staff, other Chaplains, and other stakeholders.

Major duties include, but are not limited to: Serves as a Chaplain professional providing comprehensive, religious ministry services to Veteran patients according to their specific needs and desires.

Carries out a ministry which is highly integrated into VHA's Chaplain program. Provides thorough guidance and advice to Chaplain Service management staff, other Chaplains, and other stakeholders.

Provides extended and intensive pastoral counseling as an integral part of the treatment program with patients facing complex, ethical, moral, and spiritual issues.

Ensures program effectiveness and modification of service pattern, which includes research and leadership of clinical teams.

Practices typically in a specialized clinic/program area, that may include intensive and extended pastoral counseling as an integral part of the treatment program, with patients facing complex moral, ethical, or spiritual problems.

Serves as a Chaplain representative and a fully recognized member of an interdisciplinary treatment team (IDT).

Advises and collaborates with other members of the IDT to provide comprehensive healthcare services to Veterans.

Works with a full understanding of Chaplains' relationships to the objectives of VHA to successfully integrate the work of the medical facility's staff.

Collaborates with and advises the other members of the IDT in the provision of comprehensive healthcare services to Veterans.

Maintains effective rapport with physicians, medical officers, psychologists, nurses, therapists, social workers, or others involved with the IDT.

Ensures equity of access, service, and benefits to Veterans and provides the highest quality of care.

Provides leadership, direction, orientation, coaching, in-service training, staff development, and continuing education programs.

Maintains records and appropriately documents chaplaincy care services in the Electronic Health Record Management (EHRM) system/Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) through either service approved template or Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan (SOAP) note format.

Administers ordinances, rites or sacraments; prepares and delivers sermons; arranges for the atmosphere and symbolism of worship; and conducts funeral services when needed.

Work Schedule: Full-time Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD09494F