Chaplain (Clinical Pastoral Educator)

Veterans Health Administration • Augusta, GA

10d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is in the Chaplain Service Department of the VA Augusta Health Care System in Augusta, Georgia. The Chaplain provides religious ministry, pastoral counseling, and clinical pastoral education services to Veteran patients and supports students, caregivers, staff, and stakeholders. Services may be provided in inpatient and outpatient clinics, domiciliary settings, and other Veterans Health Administration settings.

The position manages the daily operations of the Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Center and serves as educator of record for assigned CPE students. It provides educational supervision and resources, develops curricula and program policies, monitors educational outcomes, maintains accreditation and student records, recruits and selects students, and ensures program documentation and compliance. The educator also evaluates program effectiveness and uses research and outcome assessments to improve educational services.

As a senior Chaplain resource and member of interdisciplinary treatment teams, the incumbent provides spiritual care and extended pastoral counseling for patients facing complex ethical, moral, or spiritual concerns; advises and collaborates with healthcare staff; and provides leadership, coaching, training, and continuing education. The position also coordinates with community organizations to support spiritual care and educational outreach.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is not virtual, and telework is not available.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception under VA policy for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• A Master of Divinity degree or equivalent graduate-level theological education from an appropriately accredited institution, or an approved educational equivalency review from a nationally recognized chaplain certification body.
• Foreign education used to qualify must be evaluated by a current affiliate agency of NACES and deemed equivalent to a conventional U.S. program.
• CPE Educator certification from an agency whose CPE training units are recognized by BCCI or a U.S. certifying body with a reciprocity agreement with BCCI; certification must be from the same accrediting body as the CPE training program where the position is filled.
• A full and active ecclesiastical endorsement from the official national endorsing authority of the applicant's faith group or denomination, dated within the past 12 months; endorsement must be maintained during employment.
• Board-Certified Chaplain certification from BCCI or a U.S. certifying body with a reciprocity agreement with BCCI; board certification requiring four CPE units qualifies.
• At the GS-12 level, one year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-11 and directly related to the position. Examples include advance-care-planning education and counseling; supporting patients with values clarification, life review, oral history, or end-of-life preparation; supporting staff resiliency and wellness; and educating healthcare staff and trainees about spiritual needs and appropriate chaplain referrals.
• Ability to independently educate all levels of CPE students and plan, organize, and implement all levels of a CPE program.
• Skill in following accreditation standards and processes, including timely and professional submission of required reports, center portfolio, fees, and dues.
• Articulate, professional, and cohesive written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to recruit, interview, and select CPE students.
• Knowledge of professional ethics for certified educators and the history of CPE.
• Ability to apply theoretical understanding and competence in administering and conducting all levels of CPE programs.
• Knowledge of emerging trends and research in pastoral education.
• Knowledge of diverse conceptual frameworks for developing educational curricula.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must complete required background and security investigation and online onboarding requirements; applicable identification and application documents are required.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to the stated evaluation and certification conditions.

Nice To Haves

• Certification as a Clinical Pastoral Educator from a VA-approved professional organization recognized by the Department of Education, such as the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE).
• Experience providing educational supervision for CPE Level 1 and Level 2 students.
• Experience providing educational supervision for students seeking to become CPE Educators.
• Experience following CPE accreditation standards, processes, and practices, including timely and professional submission of required reports, center portfolio, fees, and dues.
• Proficiency in electronic health record documentation, particularly spiritual assessments and reassessments, and experience teaching Joint Commission documentation timeliness standards to CPE students.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive religious ministry services and training to Veteran patients and CPE students according to their needs.
• Carry out the CPE Center's education ministry as part of the VHA Chaplain program.
• Provide guidance and advice to Chaplain Service management, students, other Chaplains, and stakeholders.
• Manage daily CPE Center operations and develop and implement program policies and procedures.
• Serve as certified educator of record for CPE students in an assigned area; provide administrative oversight and program resources and monitor educational outcomes.
• Provide students with clinical learning opportunities to develop professional caring skills and hands-on spiritual care for hospitalized patients.
• Maintain educator evaluations, student records, the center portfolio, and CPE accreditation documentation, including applicable satellite and placement contracts.
• Seek approval for allied health trainee positions through the Office of Academic Affiliations; recruit, interview, and select CPE students; and ensure documentation is complete for compliance.
• Develop measurable, outcome-oriented, evidence-based curricula designed to meet board certification competencies.
• Build relationships with clinical preceptors, Advisory Group members, Office of Academic Affiliations staff, and other CPE program stakeholders.
• Provide extended and intensive pastoral counseling as part of treatment for patients facing complex ethical, moral, or spiritual issues.
• Monitor CPE Center effectiveness, modify service patterns, and conduct research and provide leadership to clinical teams.
• Develop and implement methods to measure the effectiveness of the Chaplain educational program, and use outcome evaluations to improve educational services and education systems.
• Identify best practices, primary research, and research literature relevant to ministry specialties and spiritual care practice.
• Provide leadership, direction, orientation, coaching, in-service training, staff development, and continuing education.
• Serve as a senior Chaplain education resource, spiritual advisor, and liaison for the spiritual needs of Veteran patients, students, caregivers, and staff.
• Represent Chaplaincy as a senior member of interdisciplinary treatment teams; advise and collaborate with treatment-team members to provide comprehensive healthcare.
• Participate in consultative discussions and conferences with treatment professionals, providing senior-level Chaplain input.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to evaluate and review CPE Center program progress.
• Coordinate with community organizations and other stakeholders to provide spiritual care and educational outreach.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families, with specific eligibility dependent on position type.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment and not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior