Chaplain

Summary The Battle Creek VA Medical Center is actively recruiting for a Chaplain. This role is part of the Department of Veterans Affairs within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). The position resides in the Chaplain Service where the Chaplain provides spiritual care and support to Veterans - their families - and staff as part of an interdisciplinary healthcare team. Qualifications 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 United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyEducationApplicants 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 EducationEcclesiastical EndorsementIn accordance with 38 C.F.R17.655 - ecclesiastical endorsement is a condition of employment as a VA chaplainAn individual must possess and maintain a full and active ecclesiastical endorsement to be employed as a VA chaplainApplicants must have an ecclesiastical endorsement - dated within the past 12 monthsEcclesiastical endorsements must be from the official national endorsing authority of the applicant's/employee's faith group or denominationEcclesiastical 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 denominationand 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 settingLoss of endorsement will result in removal from the GS-0060 Chaplain series and may result in termination of employmentThe National Chaplain Service maintains a list of approved endorsing organizations that can be found here: National VA Chaplain Service SharePointBoard CertificationApplicants 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 qualifyingThe National Chaplain Service maintains a list of approved certifications found on the National VA Chaplain Service SharePointForeign EducationTo 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. programMay 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: Chaplain GS-09: ExperienceNone beyond the basic requirementsKnowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1.Knowledge of spiritual assessments to identify patient strengths and needs and documenting services provided2Ability to use the information of the spiritual assessment to create care plans in all dimensions of pastoral care3Ability to provide crisis intervention and stabilization4Skill in health care team collaboration to create and update treatment plans to address spiritual issues5Ability to ensure free exercise of religion for patients and staff6Knowledge of individual and group interventions to address spiritual and emotional needs of patients and familiesproviding referrals for continuity of spiritual care7Skill in the coordination of religious services respecting the faith tradition of individual patients8Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with persons of varied backgroundsAssignmentEmployees at this grade level serve in an entry level positionIt is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require daily direct supervisionChaplains serve in a career development position practicing under close supervision of a supervisor or qualified individual who reviews and ensures the employee meets competency requirementsThe chaplain conducts spiritual assessments to identify patient strengths and needs and creates plans for care in response to the moral injuries and spiritual distress of patientsThe candidate provides crisis intervention and stabilization as requiredThe chaplain collaborates with health care teams to create and update treatment plans to address spiritual distress - grief - and loss as existential concerns to enhance holistic careThe chaplain ensures free exercise of religion and protects Veterans from proselytization and coercion from any sourceThe candidate uses a variety of intervention methods - including individual and group intervention - to address the emotional and spiritual needs of patients and familiesThe candidate coordinates religious services in a manner which respects the faith traditions and religious expression of patientChaplain GS-11 ExperienceOne year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower gradeKnowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)In addition to meeting to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1Knowledge of advance care planning to educate - inform - and counsel patients and families2Skill in guiding patients in verbalizing and expressing values through life review - oral history - and end of life preparation and documentation3Ability to develop pastoral care programs that are measurable - outcome-driven and evidenced based within the department guidelines4Skill in counseling on medical and ethical issues - terminal diagnoses or crises - moral injury - problems of conscience - family or marital difficulties - and justice or confinement matters5Ability to support the development of staff resiliency and develop programs for staff development and wellness by providing spiritual and emotional support6Ability to educate and equip health care staff and trainees screening for spiritual and religious needs of patients and the importance of appropriate referrals to chaplains for complex spiritual distress7Knowledge of community needs to coordinate with community organizations to provide comprehensive spiritual care - utilizing outside community resources to meet the religious needs of patients that cannot be met by chaplain staffPreferred Experience: Long-term Care - Hospice and 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-11The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-11Physical 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 uses an assistive deviceThe Chaplain is required to speak - hear (hearing aid permitted) and work closely with others. Duties The duties of the position may include but - are not limited to: Serves as a Chaplain professional providing complete religious ministry services to Veteran patients according to their specific needs and desiresServes as a primary resource - spiritual advisor and point of contact for the spiritual needs of patients - caregivers and staffConducts religious services and worship - pastoral ministry - and administration of Chaplain services under the direct supervision and guidance of a higher-grade chaplainEngages as a spiritual leader - a compassionate listener and counselor especially during times of crisisProvides emotional support and counseling using strong interpersonal skills to effectively connect with people of all ages with empathyOffers prayers and religious services for Veterans patients - staff - and communityConducts rituals in front of groups of people including leading prayers - requiring effective leadership and public speaking skillsAddresses religious - spiritual - moral - and ethical problems of patients and staff under the direct supervision and guidance of a higher-grade chaplain for complex non-routine issuesProvides counseling services to patients and staff and conducts regular rounds of hospital wards containing the critically illMinisters to newly admitted - pre- and post-operative patients - the critically ill - and the families of concerned veteran patientsProvides advance care planning education - information - and counsel for patients and their familiesWork Schedule: Sunday - Thursday 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Adhoc only Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 91883-0 - 91884-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized