Chaplain (Intermittent)

Veterans Health Administration • Lyons, NJ

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Chaplain serves at VANJHCS, covering the East Orange and Lyons campuses, and provides religious, spiritual, and pastoral care to Veterans, caregivers, and staff according to their needs, desires, and voluntary consent. The role addresses the spiritual dimension of health and wellness across patient care settings and integrates pastoral care into service delivery.

The Chaplain provides religious ministry and services, spiritual advising, counseling, crisis support, and pastoral care in a pluralistic environment. The position includes ministering to newly admitted, pre- and post-operative, critically ill patients and their families, conducting hospital rounds, leading services and rituals, and offering advance care planning and related counsel. The schedule is intermittent and as needed; telework is unavailable, and the position is not virtual.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).
• Master of Divinity degree or equivalent graduate-level theological degree from a qualifying 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. Non-board-certified applicants may be eligible for a temporary appointment not exceeding two years if they meet the stated conditions, including proof of four units of CPE and supervised practice.
• For the GS-11 grade, one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade; no experience beyond the basic requirements is specified for GS-09.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills in spiritual assessment and documentation, pastoral care planning, crisis intervention, health care team collaboration, religious exercise, individual and group interventions, coordination of religious services, and communication with people from varied backgrounds, as applicable to GS-09.
• For GS-11, demonstrated knowledge and skills in advance care planning, values exploration and end-of-life preparation, measurable pastoral care programs, counseling on medical and ethical issues and crises, staff resiliency and wellness support, staff education about spiritual needs and chaplain referrals, and coordination with community resources.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Registration with Selective Service for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Successful completion of required background/security investigation, online onboarding, and pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Completion of all application requirements detailed in the announcement’s Required Documents section.
• May be required to serve a two-year trial period.

Nice To Haves

• Three to five years of experience as a Chaplain.

Responsibilities

• Provide complete religious ministry services to Veteran patients according to their needs and desires.
• Serve as a primary resource, spiritual advisor, and point of contact for the spiritual needs of patients, caregivers, and staff.
• Conduct religious services and worship, pastoral ministry, and administration of Chaplain services.
• Provide spiritual leadership, compassionate listening, counseling, emotional support, and crisis support.
• Carry out assignments in a pluralistic environment, with sensitivity to the religious needs of diverse denominations and faith groups.
• Lead and offer prayers and religious services for Veteran patients, patient families, staff, and the community.
• Conduct rituals in front of groups, using effective leadership and public speaking skills.
• Address the religious, spiritual, moral, and ethical concerns of patients and staff.
• Conduct regular rounds of hospital wards where patients are critically ill.
• Minister to newly admitted, pre- and post-operative, and critically ill patients, as well as concerned Veteran patients’ families.
• Provide advance care planning, education, information, and counsel for patients and their families.
• Perform other assigned duties as required.

Benefits

• A comprehensive federal employee benefits package is available to eligible employees; eligibility depends on position type and whether the position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level