Chaplain

Veterans Health Administration • West Roxbury, MA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

This full-time Staff Chaplain position is located at the VA Boston Healthcare System in West Roxbury, Massachusetts, and is scheduled for 40 hours per week. The Chaplain provides religious ministry and spiritual care to Veteran patients according to their needs and wishes, and serves as a resource and spiritual advisor to patients, caregivers, and staff. The role includes worship and religious services, pastoral ministry, counseling, spiritual assessment, crisis support, and administration of Chaplain services.

The Chaplain works as a member of an integrated multidisciplinary treatment team, collaborating with healthcare professionals on patient care and therapeutic goals. The position also includes advance care planning, pastoral counseling on medical and ethical matters, staff education and wellness initiatives, community coordination, and documentation of care. The position is not eligible for telework or virtual work. The work schedule is Tuesday through Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; occasional travel to other VA campuses, community-based outpatient clinics, conferences, or VA sites may be required.

The position requires U.S. citizenship, written and spoken English proficiency, a qualifying graduate-level theological degree or approved equivalency, a current ecclesiastical endorsement, and board certification by BCCI or a qualifying reciprocal U.S. certifying body. Eligible non-board-certified applicants may be considered for a temporary appointment of up to two years if they meet the specified requirements. The vacancy may be filled at GS-09 through GS-11, with GS-11 as the full performance level. Applicants must also meet the applicable grade-level knowledge, skills, and experience requirements.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for appointments when recruiting qualified citizens is not possible.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• A Master of Divinity degree or equivalent graduate-level theological degree from an appropriately accredited institution, or an approved educational equivalency review from a nationally recognized chaplain board-certification body.
• 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; the endorsement must be maintained during employment.
• Board certification by BCCI or a U.S. certifying body with a reciprocity agreement with BCCI; qualifying certification requires four units of CPE. Non-board-certified applicants may be considered for a temporary appointment of up to two years if they meet applicable requirements, including proof of four CPE units, and work under certified chaplain supervision.
• Meet the applicable grade-level knowledge, skills, and abilities; GS-11 requires one year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-09, while GS-09 requires no experience beyond the basic requirements.
• Register for Selective Service if applicable to the applicant.
• Complete a background/security investigation, online onboarding, required employment documentation, and a pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Meet physical requirements for meaningful engagement with patients and families, including walking and moving within the healthcare setting (with an assistive device if used), speaking, hearing (hearing aids permitted), and working closely with others.
• Current federal employees applying internally must submit the required recent SF-50 documentation; selectees may be required to provide narrative KSA responses.

Responsibilities

• Lead and offer prayers and religious services for Veteran patients, their families, staff, and the community.
• Conduct religious rituals and worship services, administer ordinances, rites, or sacraments, prepare and deliver sermons, arrange worship settings, and conduct funerals when needed.
• Address religious, spiritual, moral, and ethical concerns of patients and staff, including through counseling and pastoral care.
• Conduct rounds in hospital wards, including areas with critically ill patients, and minister to newly admitted, pre- and post-operative, and critically ill patients and their families.
• Provide advance care planning education, information, and counsel to patients and families.
• Serve as a member of an integrated multidisciplinary treatment team and collaborate with healthcare professionals on treatment plans and therapeutic goals.
• Serve as a clinical chaplain in specialty clinics.
• Maintain records and document chaplaincy care services appropriately.
• Provide pastoral counseling on medical and ethical matters, terminal diagnoses, crises, moral injury, problems of conscience, and other relevant concerns.
• Develop measurable, outcome-driven, evidence-based pastoral care programs and staff development and wellness programs.
• Provide education and training to healthcare staff and trainees on spiritual and religious needs and appropriate referrals.
• Coordinate with VHA Chaplain Service officials and follow department guidelines.
• Maintain cooperative relationships with Medical Center personnel and community individuals and groups; engage community resources to meet patients’ religious needs when chaplain staff cannot meet them.
• Conduct initial pastoral care interviews, visit institutional units, and provide bedside ministry.
• Conduct spiritual assessments, identify patient strengths and needs, and develop care plans addressing moral injury and spiritual distress.
• Provide crisis intervention and stabilization as required.

Benefits

• A comprehensive federal employee benefits package is available to eligible employees and their families; specific benefit eligibility depends on position type.

What This Job Offers

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