Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Education
• Applicants must possess a Master of Divinity degree or equivalent educational qualifications as evidenced by a graduate-level theological degree from a college, university or theological school accredited by a member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
• NOTE: For applicants who do not possess a Master of Divinity degree or equivalent educational degree, an approved educational equivalency review from a nationally recognized board certification body for chaplains (see paragraph d) is acceptable
• Ecclesiastical Endorsement
• In accordance with 38 C.F.R
• 17.655, ecclesiastical endorsement is a condition of employment as a VA chaplain
• An individual must possess and maintain a full and active ecclesiastical endorsement to be employed as a VA chaplain
• Applicants must have an ecclesiastical endorsement, dated within the past 12 months
• Ecclesiastical endorsements must be from the official national endorsing authority of the applicant's/employee's faith group or denomination
• Board Certification
• (1) Certification
• Applicants must be a Board-Certified Chaplain certified by BCCI or a U.S. certifying body that has a reciprocity agreement with BCCI
• Board Certification that requires 4 units of CPE is qualifying
• The National Chaplain Service maintains a list of approved certifications found on the National VA Chaplain Service SharePoint
• Note: Provisional or Associate or other status as a candidate for board certification does not meet the board certification requirement for the FPL GS-11 or above
• (2) Exception for Non-Board-Certified Chaplains
• (a) Non-Board-Certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements, may be given a temporary appointment as a Chaplain under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405(c)(2) not to exceed 2 years
• (b) Non-Board-Certified Chaplains must provide proof of completion of 4 units of CPE as required by an approved board certifying body
• (c) Non-Board-Certified individuals may only provide care under the supervision of a certified Chaplain at or above the FPL
• (d) Non-Board-Certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained
• Temporary appointments of non-board-certified Chaplains may not be extended beyond 2 years or be converted to a new temporary appointment
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
• Grade Determinations: GS-9 Chaplain Assignments
• Employees at this grade level serve in an entry level position
• It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require daily direct supervision
• Chaplains serve in a career development position practicing under close supervision of a supervisor or qualified individual who reviews and ensures the employee meets competency requirements
• Experience
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1
• Knowledge of spiritual assessments to identify patient strengths and needs and documenting services provided
• 2
• Ability to use the information of the spiritual assessment to create care plans in all dimensions of pastoral care
• 3
• Ability to provide crisis intervention and stabilization
• 4
• Skill in health care team collaboration to create and update treatment plans to address spiritual issues
• 5
• Ability to ensure free exercise of religion for patients and staff
• 6
• Knowledge of individual and group interventions to address spiritual and emotional needs of patients and families
• providing referrals for continuity of spiritual care
• 7
• Skill in the coordination of religious services respecting the faith tradition of individual patients
• 8
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with persons of varied backgrounds
• Grade Determinations: GS-11 Chaplain Assignments
• Employees at this grade level serve as an FPL Chaplain
• The chaplain independently serves as a primary resource and point of contact for the spiritual needs of patients, caregivers, and staff
• The chaplain provides advance care planning education, information, and counsel for patients and their families
• The chaplain 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
• The chaplain develops pastoral care programs that are measurable, outcome driven, and evidence-based in coordination with the department guidelines
• The chaplain provides pastoral counseling on medical and ethical matters, including but not limited to, moral injury, problems of conscience, family or marital difficulties, justice or confinement matters, terminal diagnoses, or crisis
• The chaplain also supports the development of staff resiliency by providing emotional and spiritual support and compassionate presence and develops programs for staff development and wellness
• The chaplain provides education and equips other health care staff and trainees to screen for spiritual and religious needs, and the importance of appropriate referrals to chaplains for complex spiritual distress
• At this level, the chaplain coordinates with community organizations to ensure the provision of comprehensive spiritual care, and engaging community resources to meet religious needs of patients that cannot be met by chaplain staff
• Experience
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1
• Knowledge of advance care planning to educate, inform, and counsel patients and families
• 2
• Skill in guiding patients in verbalizing and expressing values through life review, oral history, and end of life preparation and documentation
• 3
• Ability to develop pastoral care programs that are measurable, outcome driven and evidenced based within the department guidelines
• 4
• 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
• 5
• Ability to support the development of staff resiliency and develop programs for staff development and wellness by providing spiritual and emotional support
• 6
• Ability to educate and equip health care staff and trainees screening for spiritual and religious needs of patients and the importance of appropriate referrals to chaplains for complex spiritual distress
• 7
• Knowledge of community needs to coordinate with community organizations to provide comprehensive spiritual care, utilizing outside community resources to meet the religious needs of patients that cannot be met by chaplain staff
• Preferred Experience: One to two years of experience preferred
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-11.