Chaplain (Fee Basis)

Veterans Health Administration • Leeds, MA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Chaplain provides religious ministry services to Veteran patients according to their specific needs and desires at the Central Western Massachusetts VA Medical Facility in Leeds, Massachusetts. The position reports under the Associate Director of Patient Services and is a fee-basis role, with payment based on services rendered. Rates listed are $40 for assessment, individual counseling, group counseling, and each 15 minutes of chaplain services in a hospice setting.

The Chaplain serves as a spiritual advisor and point of contact for patients, caregivers, and staff; conducts worship and other religious services; and provides pastoral ministry, counseling, crisis intervention, and emotional support. The role works with people across faith groups in a pluralistic environment and collaborates with healthcare professionals on patient care and treatment planning. At least 70% of time is spent in patient care. Work is scheduled as needed by the service. Telework and virtual work are not available. Travel to other VA campuses or community-based outpatient clinics may be required, as may occasional conferences at other facilities.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for appointments when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• 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.
• A full and active ecclesiastical endorsement from the official national endorsing authority for the applicant's faith group or denomination; the endorsement must be dated within the past 12 months and be maintained during employment.
• Board certification by BCCI or a U.S. certifying body with a reciprocity agreement with BCCI; certification requiring four units of CPE qualifies. Non-board-certified applicants may be considered for a temporary appointment if they meet the stated conditions and provide proof of four CPE units.
• For the GS-11 grade, one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade.
• Knowledge of advance care planning and ability to educate, inform, and counsel patients and families.
• Skill in guiding patients to express values through life review, oral history, and end-of-life preparation and documentation.
• Ability to develop measurable, outcome-driven, evidence-based pastoral care programs within department guidelines.
• Skill in counseling on medical and ethical issues, terminal diagnoses or crises, moral injury, problems of conscience, family or marital difficulties, and justice or confinement matters.
• Ability to support staff resiliency and develop staff development and wellness programs through spiritual and emotional support.
• Ability to educate healthcare staff and trainees about screening for spiritual and religious needs and making appropriate chaplain referrals for complex spiritual distress.
• Knowledge of community needs and ability to coordinate with community organizations and resources to meet patients' religious needs.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must have a valid driver's license; travel to other VA campuses and CBOCs may be required.
• Must meet background and security investigation requirements and complete required onboarding and application documentation.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to the stated evaluation and certification conditions.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with Veterans in inpatient and outpatient settings, including community-based outpatient clinics.
• Ability to adapt to service in a clinical facility, small healthcare system, or community-based outpatient clinic.
• Ability to administer the Sacrament of the Sick (Last Rites, Extreme Unction, or Viaticum).

Responsibilities

• Provide religious ministry services to Veteran patients according to their needs and desires.
• Serve as a spiritual advisor and point of contact for patients, caregivers, and staff.
• Conduct religious services, worship, pastoral ministry, and administration of Chaplain services.
• Provide compassionate listening, counseling, emotional support, and crisis intervention and stabilization.
• Ensure ministry assignments are conducted sensitively in a pluralistic environment serving diverse denominations and faith groups.
• Conduct rituals and worship before groups, using leadership and public-speaking skills.
• Conduct regular rounds of hospital wards, including areas where patients are critically ill.
• Minister to newly admitted, pre- and post-operative, critically ill patients, and their families.
• Provide advance care planning education, information, and counsel to patients and families.
• Maintain liaison with physicians, medical officers, psychologists, nurses, therapists, social workers, and other care professionals to exchange information about patients.
• Supervise, train, and coach volunteer groups assisting with services as needed.
• Participate in group consultations and conferences to evaluate and review patient progress.
• Collaborate with treatment teams on courses of action and therapeutic goals.
• Address patients' fears about surgery and questions about life, pain, illness, disfigurement, disability, and death.
• Provide religious instruction through individual or group discussions, faith-based and instructional classes, and correspondence-course tutoring.
• Collaborate with healthcare teams to create and update treatment plans addressing spiritual distress, grief, and loss.
• Use individual and group interventions to address patients' and families' emotional and spiritual needs.
• Provide support during individual or unit emergencies, natural or man-made disasters, and planned special events.
• Spend at least 70% of work time in patient care.
• Travel to other VA campuses and CBOCs as required and attend occasional conferences at other facilities.

Benefits

• A federal employee benefits package is available, with eligibility dependent on position type and other factors; applicants are directed to contact the hiring agency for details.

What This Job Offers

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