Chaplain

Nature of Work

Under administrative direction, performs counseling work at the full-performance level by providing spiritual guidance to residents, clients and their families at the West Virginia Veterans Nursing Facility. Conducts interdenominational religious services. Work is performed independently with considerable freedom to plan services and activities to address morale and spiritual problems. Performs related work as required.

Examples of Work

• Conducts interdenominational religious services and activities.
• Assists the institution staff and authorities in maintaining morale by attending to the spiritual needs of patients, inmates, clients or students.
• Counsels with patients or inmates and family members; performs crisis intervention counseling.
• Makes regular visits to infirm patients.
• Corresponds with families and agencies regarding patient needs.
• Interviews residents upon admission to an institution to obtain personal and case history data regarding religious, moral and family matters.
• Conducts classes on ethics and religion.
• Distributes religious literature to patients or inmates.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of religious counseling, motivation and theory.
• Knowledge of the practices and customs of organized religious sects.
• Knowledge of psychological and sociological techniques in dealing with patients and inmates.
• Knowledge of educational work methods in religious education.
• Ability to conduct religious services and classes.
• Ability to speak effectively on religious matters before large groups.
• Ability to offer spiritual counseling and guidance to patients and/or inmates.
• Ability to maintain records and prepare reports and correspondence related to the work.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain harmonious relations with the public, patients or inmates and administrative officials.

Minimum Qualifications

TRAINING: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in religious education, divinity, pastoral counseling or a closely related field; or, graduation from a Bible College accredited by The Association for Biblical Higher Education; or graduation from a theological seminary accredited by the Association of Theological Schools.

SUBSTITUTION: Graduation from a standard high school plus five years experience in pastoral counseling and/or religious ministry may substitute for the above training requirement.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Certification of ordination or ecclesiastical commission by an endorsing body or denomination.