Chaplain

Department of Veterans Affairs•Columbia, SC

59d•Onsite

About The Position

The incumbent serves as a Chaplain professional for the VHA. The incumbent provides religious, spiritual, and pastoral care to all persons that are commensurate with the needs, desires, and voluntary consent of the Veteran, caregiver, or staff. The incumbent addresses the spiritual component of health and wellness in every patient care setting to ensure that pastoral care is fully integrated into all aspects of service. This is an Open Continuous Announcement and will remain open until 09/30/2026. The initial cut-off date for the referral of eligible applications will be 11/14/2025, with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st of each month. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.

Responsibilities

Serves as a Chaplain professional providing complete religious ministry services to Veteran patients according to their specific needs and desires.
Serves as a primary resource, spiritual advisor and point of contact for the spiritual needs of patients, caregivers, and staff.
Conducts religious services and worship, pastoral ministry, and administration of Chaplain services.
Engages as a spiritual leader, a compassionate listener and counselor, especially during times of crisis.
Provides emotional support and counseling using empathy and strong interpersonal skills to effectively connect with people of all ages.
Ensures assignments are carried out in a pluralistic environment, which encompasses sensitivity to the religious needs of many separate religious denominations and faith groups.
Leads and offers prayers and religious services for Veteran patients, patient families, staff, and community.
Conduct rituals in front of groups of people, which requires effective leadership and public speaking skills.
Ministers to newly admitted, pre- and post-operative patients, the critically ill, and the families of concerned veteran patients. Provides advance care planning education, information, and counsel for patients and their families.
Ensures all patients are provided opportunities for the free exercise of religion and that Veterans are protected from proselytizing and coercing from any source.
Maintains liaison with physicians, medical officers, psychologists, nurses, therapists, social workers, or others involved to exchange information relative to the background and current condition of patients.
Ensures all patients are provided opportunities for the free exercise of religion and that Veterans are protected from proselytizing and coercing from any source.
Engages in group consultative discussions or conferences with these professionals to evaluate and review the patient's progress.
Collaborates with treatment team professionals to discuss the recommended course of action, and other informed advice to attain the necessary therapeutic goals for the patient.
Locates other Chaplains and/or persons from the community to provide patients' religious needs if necessary.
Uses knowledge of different faiths to perform various religious rituals, lead prayers, and answer spiritual questions.
Engages in group consultative discussions or conferences with these professionals to evaluate and review the patient's progress.
Provides guidance and/or support for patients to express values through processes such as life review, oral history, and end of life preparation and documentation.
Complete all other duties as assigned.