Chaplain

Veterans Health Administration • Miami, FL

15h

About The Position

This position is within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMC), Chaplain Service. Chaplains provide spiritual, emotional, and pastoral care to Veterans and their families in settings that may include VISNs, inpatient and outpatient clinics, and domiciliaries. Most services are provided in a medical facility. VA Chaplains are endorsed by their religious bodies and trained in Clinical Pastoral Education. They are the only VA professionals authorized to conduct official spiritual assessments.

The Chaplain offers confidential, respectful support during crises, illness, hospitalization, recovery, and bereavement; provides religious services and spiritual practices; supports ethical and end-of-life decision-making; and safeguards Veterans’ rights to free exercise of religion. The role includes collaboration with interdisciplinary care teams, communication among Veterans, families, and care teams, and connections to community clergy and other resources as needed.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor, and the incumbent may be required to work various shifts temporarily or permanently based on facility and patient-care needs. The full performance level and actual grade for this vacancy are GS-12.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• A Master of Divinity degree or equivalent graduate-level theological degree from an appropriately accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• A full and active ecclesiastical endorsement from the official national endorsing authority of the applicant’s faith group or denomination; the endorsement must be dated within the past 12 months and 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 is qualifying. Provisional, associate, or candidate status does not meet the GS-11-or-above requirement.
• For GS-12: one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 journey level, directly related to the position.
• For GS-12: specialty certification demonstrating advanced practice or specialization in chaplaincy, directly related to the assignment.
• For GS-12: ability to apply relevant theories and methodologies to the ministry specialty and integrate specialized psychological and sociological theory with an advanced approach to spiritual care.
• For GS-12: skill in seeking primary research and research literature relevant to the ministry specialty and spiritual care practice.
• For GS-12: skill in developing and implementing methods to measure chaplain practice and service effectiveness, using outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and design system changes.
• For GS-12: ability to mediate conflict, hold varied emotions, and diffuse moral distress among staff and complex crisis situations.
• For GS-12: ability to provide specialized consultation, teaching, and mentoring on advanced spiritual care interventions.
• For GS-12: ability to apply advanced clinical knowledge to write policies, procedures, or practice guidelines for the service delivery area.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background and security investigation, pre-employment physical examination, and urinalysis drug screening for applicants tentatively selected for testing-designated positions; refusal of required testing results in denial of employment.
• Seasonal influenza vaccination is required for VA health care personnel.
• Must complete required application and online onboarding requirements and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period; continued employment after the trial period requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in Mental Health/SUD.

Responsibilities

• Listen to Veterans and their families with respect and confidentiality.
• Provide support during crises, illness, hospitalization, or recovery.
• Assist with feelings of guilt, moral injury, or spiritual distress.
• Offer prayer, meditation, sacraments, and observance of holy days.
• Provide worship services and coordinate with community clergy when needed.
• Serve people of all faiths and protect them from unwanted religious influence.
• Assist with advance directives and end-of-life decisions.
• Help Veterans and families navigate difficult ethical questions.
• Participate in interdisciplinary care teams, Service Dog Programs, and medical rounds.
• Provide bereavement counseling and grief support.
• Support families during critical illness or after death.
• Communicate between Veterans, families, and care teams.
• Assist with discharge planning and connect Veterans to community resources.
• Ensure Veterans’ constitutional right to free exercise of religion.
• Prevent proselytization from any source within VA facilities.
• Conduct official spiritual assessments.
• Apply specialized chaplaincy practice, evaluate its effectiveness, and contribute to improvements in treatment services and systems.
• Mediate conflict, help diffuse moral distress among staff, and respond to complex crisis situations.
• Provide specialized consultation, teaching, and mentoring to colleagues and students.
• Write policies, procedures, or practice guidelines related to the service delivery area.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for qualifying prior federal work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

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