Chaplain

Full Job Description

This position is located within the Chaplain Service line within the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Department of VA Medical Center.

The incumbent provides services within various settings, including Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs), Inpatient Clinics, Outpatient Clinics, and domiciliaries.

The position provides pastoral counseling and treatment to Veteran patients, patient's families and staff in various inpatient and out patient settings.

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.Basic Requirements: 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). English Language Proficiency.

Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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.

Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S.

must be submitted to a current affiliate agency of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) at https://www.naces.org/members and be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S.

program. 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.

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.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations: To qualify at the GS-12 level you must also meet both of the following grade level requirements.

Experience: At least year of creditable experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level that is directly related to the position to be filled such as independently serving as a primary resource for the spiritual needs of patients, caregivers, and staff; providing advance care planning education, information and counsel or patients and their families, providing pastoral counseling on medical and ethical matters, coordinating with community organizations and engaging community resources to meet religious needs of patients.

Specialized Experience. 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 Your experience must demonstrate that you meet the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (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.

Ability to apply advanced clinical knowledge to write policies, procedures and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area.

Preferred Experience: Specialty Certification in Hospice Palliative Care.

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.

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. Major Duties:

The incumbent serves as a Chaplain professional performing clinical assignments for the medical center.

They provide comprehensive religious, spiritual, and pastoral care to all persons that are commensurate with the needs, desires and voluntary consent of the Veteran, caregiver, or staff.

The incumbent addresses the spiritual component of health and wellness in every patient care setting to ensure that pastoral care is fully integrated into all aspects of chaplain services.

Major duties include but are not limited to: Providing extended and intensive pastoral counseling as an integral part of the treatment program with patients facing complex, ethical, moral and spiritual issues.

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

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

Advising and collaborating with other members of the IDT to provide comprehensive healthcare services to Veterans.

Leading various complex and sensitive projects, tasks groups, and assignments to obtain pertinent high level information needed for Chaplain Service management officials.

Provides thorough spiritual leadership, offers prayers, and provides overall religious services for Veteran patients, patient families, staff and community.

Addresses religious, spiritual, moral and ethical problems of patients and staff. Serving as a professional clinical Chaplain in specialty clinics.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, (TBD) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: FS#: Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized