Chaplain

Veterans Health Administration • Harlingen, TX

9h • Onsite

About The Position

The Chaplain of the VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System (TXVCBHCS) has full responsibility for providing comprehensive religious, spiritual, and pastoral care in accordance with VHA guidelines. The incumbent addresses the spiritual component of health and wellness and ensures pastoral care is fully integrated and based on the needs, desires, and voluntary consent of the Veteran, caregiver, or staff.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• A valid driver's license is required.
• A pre-placement examination will be required to determine if the incumbent can safely operate a government vehicle.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency - Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
• 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.
• For applicants who do not possess a Master of Divinity degree or equivalent educational degree may meet this requirement with an approved educational equivalency review from a nationally recognized board certification body for chaplains. This would include the Board of Chaplaincy Certification Inc. (BCCI) or a U.S. certifying body that has a reciprocity agreement with BCCI.
• Applicants must possess and maintain a full and active ecclesiastical endorsement and must be dated within the past 12 months.
• Applicants must be a Board-Certified Chaplain by the Board of Chaplaincy Certifications Inc. (BCCI), or a U.S. certifying body that has a reciprocity agreement with BCCI. Board Certification that requires four units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is qualifying.
• 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).
• In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify at the GS-12 level you must possess at least one (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11).
• Specialty Certification: Specialty certification is demonstrated advanced practice and/or specialization in chaplaincy beyond the board certification. You must possess a Specialty Certification from a professional chaplain certifying body that is directly related to the position being filled.
• 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.
• Individuals who are required to operate a government owned or leased vehicle to successfully carry out their assigned duties must be medically cleared prior to appointment.
• Distant vision 20/40 in one eye with or without correction, field of vision 70 degrees, ability to distinguish red, green and amber, whispered voice at five feet, or average hearing loss of not greater than 40 dbs. at 500, 1000 and 2,000 Hz.

Nice To Haves

• Experience providing pastoral care in a healthcare setting, especially with Veterans or in a multi-disciplinary team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and implement staff training, wellness, or resiliency programs.
• Experience with tele-chaplaincy or delivering spiritual care via remote modalities.
• Experience in specialized program areas such as PTSD, moral injury, suicide prevention, hospice/palliative care, mental health, substance abuse, or grief and bereavement.
• Experience conducting spiritual assessments and creating care plans for patients facing complex moral, ethical, or spiritual challenges.
• Experience with community outreach, partnership building, or program development to expand access to chaplaincy services.
• Experience providing spiritual counseling to patients and families during medical crises, including end-of-life care.
• Experience working with diverse faith groups and ensuring equitable access to religious/spiritual care.
• Advanced proficiency in pastoral counseling techniques, especially for patients facing trauma, moral injury, or complex ethical dilemmas.
• Demonstrated leadership in developing and evaluating outcome-driven pastoral care programs.
• Skill in integrating spiritual care within Whole Health or holistic treatment models.
• Ability to independently develop and implement new chaplaincy programs or curricula.
• Proficiency in using electronic health records and office automation tools for documentation and communication.
• Experience supervising volunteers or chaplain staff, including program effectiveness and modification.
• Ability to conduct spiritual care outreach and build partnerships with community organizations.
• Skill in providing spiritual support for staff resiliency and wellness initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Provides pastoral ministry to patients with respect to the patient's faith group, including conscientious attention during emergencies and crises.
• Builds strong interpersonal relationships with patients and ensures all patients are provided opportunities for the free exercise of religion.
• Ensures Veterans are protected from proselytizing and coercing from any source.
• Provides leadership, direction, orientation, coaching, in-service training, staff development, and continuing education programs.
• Addresses the religious, spiritual, moral, and ethical problems of patients and staff.
• Provides effective counseling services to patients and staff.
• Provides face-to-face services and establishes a physical presence in clinics, as assigned, throughout the health care system.
• Provides a well-rounded religious ministry; participates in the total care program of the medical center with other professional and para-professional staff members and services.
• Interprets the purpose and mission of TXVCBHCS, as appropriate, to the religious and civic communities.
• Serves at a facility in clinical settings where there is limited access to onsite supervision such as small health care systems, Community Based Outpatient Clinics, other Federal agencies or satellite outpatient clinics.
• Practices in a specialized program area that may include intensive and extended pastoral counseling as an integral part of the treatment program for patients facing complex moral, ethical, or spiritual problems.
• May be assigned administrative responsibility for program development and implementation and is accountable for clinical program effectiveness and modification of service patterns, which may include research and leadership of clinical teams.
• Operates with full understanding of the relationship of chaplaincy services to institutional objectives, integrating these services within the broader healthcare system and supporting equitable access to high-quality care for Veterans.
• Provides leadership, staff development, and training for assigned chaplain staff.
• Provides guidance and religious instruction, as appropriate, to individuals or groups; arranges for and conducts regular weekly religious worship services and, may, as appropriate, for those unable to attend regular chapel services.
• Devotes time to the pastoral counseling of individual patients, seeking the solution of personal problems and to the needs of patients' families, especially in times of crisis.
• Understands other religions or denominations.
• Conducts religious services and worship; establishes periods for public worship, seasonal and occasional services, and individual devotions; administering ordinances, rites or sacraments; preparing and delivering sermons; arranging for the atmosphere and symbolism of worship; and conducting funeral services when needed.
• Provides religious instruction for patients by various means, such as individual or group discussions, Bible classes, instructional classes, broadcasts, films, and tutoring for courses completed by correspondence and via telehealth modalities.
• Fully participates, as appropriate, as a member of treatment team(s) to develop and address spiritual needs of Veterans utilizing medical and behavioral health services to include co-leading and/or independently leading groups on topics such as moral injury, traumatic growth, etc. as well as individual work with referred Veterans.
• Participates in the Whole Health Program to inform and implement spiritual aspects of the Whole Health Model across and within all health care system facilities.
• Conducts spiritual assessments to identify patients' strengths and needs.
• Creates plans for care in response to the moral injuries and spiritual distress of patients that enhance the Holistic Treatment of Veteran patients.
• Develops and implements a tele-chaplaincy program in order to provide Veterans across all health care system locations access to Chaplain services.
• Conducts personal visits with medical facility patients in the course of regular routine rounds through the clinics of the health care system, by special visits, and interviews, or on the basis of requests and referral. Such visits involve ritual administration of sacraments, or pastoral counseling.
• Conducts pastoral interviews with patients to ascertain their religious backgrounds, evaluate religious needs, and provides advice regarding the availability of chaplain services.
• Serves as spiritual counselor to patients and their families on ethical and moral matters, including problems of conscience, and family and marital differences.
• Offers spiritual consolation, support and guidance to those looking to solution of personal problems in adjustment to their illness or confinement.
• Addresses the fears that patients have when facing surgery or outpatient procedures.
• Answers patients' questions regarding the meaning of life when they are confronted with the reality of illness, pain, permanent disfigurement, crippling, or death.
• Counsels patients with long-term illnesses, especially those who need aid in developing and maintaining patience, perseverance, and determination.
• Maintains contact with medical staff, psychologists, nurses, social workers, therapists, or others involved to exchange of information relative to the background and current condition of patients; participates in consultative discussions or conferences to evaluate patient progress and recommend care approaches; and offers informed advice on integrating religious understanding with other professional services to achieve therapeutic goals.
• Develops measurable, outcome-driven, and evidence-based pastoral care; and creates staff development and wellness programs.
• Supports the development of staff resiliency by providing emotional and spiritual support and compassionate presence.
• Establishes and maintains contacts with the families of patients, with local pastors, church groups, and community organizations to strengthen patients' support systems and serves as a communication link between patients, the facility, and the broader community.
• Plans, coordinates, implements, and evaluates ongoing community outreach efforts, ensuring sustained engagement with community partners, expansion of support networks for Veterans, and increased awareness and accessibility of chaplaincy services throughout the service area.
• Provides the spiritual dimensions of specialized programs such as PTSD and moral injury, MST, Suicide Prevention, Veteran Homelessness, Hospice and Palliative Care, Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Grief and Bereavement, Polytrauma, Health Care Ethics, Patient Rehabilitation and Recovery, and Conflict Resolution and Mediation.
• Initiates outreach to community groups and organizations to enhance understanding of spiritual care in the medical setting and to support collaboration in addressing Veteran needs.
• Initiates required action to provide for and maintain ecclesiastical facilities, equipment and supplies; evaluates and supervises volunteers; arranges for religious materials; maintains records of ministry; and participates in staff orientation programs by interpreting the objectives of the religious program.
• Completes various complex Chaplain related administrative assignments, projects, and reports; and independently develops and implements programs and curricula.
• Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

What This Job Offers

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