This position is located within the Chaplain Service (CS). The position provides services within various settings, including Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs), Inpatient Clinics, Outpatient Clinics, and domiciliary throughout the United States. Most Chaplain services are usually provided in a medical facility structure. The CS provides pastoral counseling and treatment to Veteran patients, patient's families, and staff in various inpatient and outpatient settings.
The Chaplain serves as a Senior Chaplain professional performing clinical assignments for the VHA. The incumbent provides comprehensive 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 chaplain services. The Chaplain: serves as a Senior Chaplain standard functional statement to be used throughout the VHA.
independently provides advanced spiritual care in one or more specialized clinical programs, which may include substance use disorder treatment, mental health, cancer care, hospice and palliative care, or other specialty settings. This work includes intensive and extended pastoral counseling integrated into interdisciplinary treatment for Veterans experiencing complex moral, ethical, spiritual, or existential concerns.
Assignments may involve settings with limited onsite supervision within assigned areas of responsibility, the incumbent independently develops, implements, and evaluates specialized spiritual care programs, clinical practices, and curricula; assesses outcomes and clinical program effectiveness; and recommends or implements appropriate modifications to service delivery patterns.
incorporates relevant research, evidence-informed practices, and quality improvement into program development and may lead clinical teams or interdisciplinary initiatives within delegated authority. aligns specialized chaplaincy programs with institutional objectives, collaborates with and advises interdisciplinary treatment team members, and promotes comprehensive, coordinated healthcare services for Veterans.
ensures equitable access to spiritual care, respect for diverse religious and nonreligious beliefs, and delivery of high-quality patient-centered care. provides senior-level professional leadership, direction, orientation, coaching, in-service training, staff development, and continuing education for assigned chaplain staff, trainees, and interdisciplinary colleagues, as applicable.
These senior-level functions are performed independently within established policies and delegated responsibilities and are distinguished from routine chaplaincy services by their specialized complexity, program accountability, and institutional impact. may serve at a facility in a clinical setting, or a small healthcare system, satellite outpatient clinic, other federal agency, or Community Based Out-patient Clinic (CBOC) where there is limited access to onsite supervision.
provides extended and intensive pastoral counseling as an integral part of the treatment program with patients facing complex, ethical, moral, and spiritual issues. ensures program effectiveness and modification of service pattern, which includes research and leadership of clinical teams.
practices typically in a specialized clinic/program area, that may include intensive and extended pastoral counseling as an integral part of the treatment program, with patients facing complex moral, ethical, or spiritual problems. serves as a Senior Chaplain representative and a fully recognized member of an interdisciplinary treatment team (IDT). Advises and collaborates with other members of the IDT to provide comprehensive healthcare services to Veterans.
works with a full understanding of Chaplains' relationships to the objectives of VHA to successfully integrate the work of the medical facility's staff. Collaborates with and advises the other members of the IDT in the provision of comprehensive healthcare services to Veterans. maintains effective rapport with physicians, medical officers, psychologists, nurses, therapists, social workers, or others involved with the IDT.
ensures equity of access, service, and benefits to Veterans and provides the highest quality of care. Provides leadership, direction, orientation, coaching, in-service training, staff development, and continuing education programs. serves as a primary Chaplain resource, spiritual advisor, and liaison for the spiritual needs of patients, caregivers, and staff. Conducts comprehensive religious services and worship, pastoral ministry, and administration of Chaplain services.
leads various complex and sensitive projects, task groups, and assignments to obtain pertinent high-level information needed for Chaplain Service management officials. Duties are continued in the Education Section. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 4:30 PM Telework: Ad-Hoc Telework Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 56588-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.
For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Education: 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) (https://www.chea.org/) or Association of Theological Schools (ATS) (https://www.ats.edu/) and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
For applicants who do not possess a Master of Divinity degree or equivalent educational degree may meet this requirement with an approved educational equivalency review from a nationally recognized board certification body for chaplains. This would include the Board of Chaplaincy Certification Inc. (BCCI) or a U.S.
certifying body that has a reciprocity agreement with BCCI NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. NOTE: If your school was accredited by a member of the CHEA or ATS (recognized by the U.S. Department of Education) at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the CHEA or ATS websites above, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.
Duties Continued: 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 various complex assignments are carried out in a pluralistic environment, which encompasses sensitivity to the religious needs of many separate religious denominations and faith groups.
provides thorough spiritual leadership, offers prayers, and provides overall religious services for Veteran patients, patient families, staff, and community. conducts rituals before groups of people, which requires effective leadership and public speaking skills. Uses sound guidance and advice to lead prayer and religious services. Addresses the religious, spiritual, moral, and ethical problems of patients and staff.
Provides effective counseling services to patients and staff. Conducts regular rounds of hospital wards where patients are critically ill. 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.
provides pastoral ministry to patients with respect to the patient's faith group, including conscientious attention during emergencies and crises. Builds strong interpersonal relationships with patients and ensures all patients are provided opportunities for the free exercise of religion. Ascertains Veterans are protected from proselytizing and coercing from any source.
provides chaplain service expertise to exchange information relative to the background and current condition of patients. supervises, trains, and coaches volunteer groups who offer their services as assistants. provides expert guidance and advice to other VHA Chaplains as needed.
serves as professional clinical Chaplain in specialty clinics such as Inpatient/Outpatient Mental Health, Inpatient/Outpatient Substance Use Disorder Clinics, Hospice, and Palliative Care, Grief and Bereavement Clinics, Women's Health Clinics, Cancer Treatment Centers, Spinal Cord/Polytrauma units, Pain clinics, Infectious Disease Clinics, Whole Health Clinics/Programs, etc.
engages in group consultative discussions or conferences with these professionals to provide Chaplain related input to collaborate on the evaluation and review of 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.
identifies other Chaplains, religious leaders, and/or persons from the community to provide patients' religious needs if necessary. uses thorough knowledge of different faiths to perform various religious rituals, lead prayers, and answer spiritual questions. provides guidance and support for patients to express values through processes such as life review, oral history, and end of life preparation and documentation.
maintains records and appropriately documents chaplaincy care services in the Electronic Health Record Management (EHRM) system/Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) through either service approved template or Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan (SOAP) note format.
provides pastoral counseling on medical and ethical matters, including moral injury, problems of conscience, family or marital difficulties, justice or confinement matters, terminal diagnoses, or crises. addresses fears that patients have when facing surgery and answers questions regarding the meaning of life when confronted with the reality of pain, illness, permanent disfigurement, crippling, or death.
counsels patients with long term health illness to aid in developing and maintaining patience, determination, and perseverance. Provides advice to mental health patients with deeply troubling concerns of anxiety, depression, obsession, and fear. Provides referrals for continuity of spiritual care. Duties are continued in the Additional Information Section.
Duties Continued: provides religious instruction for patients through various means, such as individual or group discussion, Bible classes, instructional classes, and tutoring for courses completed by correspondence. provides pastoral care involving initial interviews, visits to the various units of the institution, and bedside ministry. serves as a spiritual advisor on moral and religious problems for patients and their families in times of crisis.
completes various complex Chaplain related administrative assignments, projects, and reports; and independently develops and implements programs and curricula. coordinates work schedule with other VHA Chaplains to ensure overall coverage during the incumbent's absence. maintains records, supplies, and religious equipment for the assigned program; and tracks and maintains the program's budget.
provides routine personal visits, special visits, and new patient interviews based on requests and referrals/consults. conducts friendly visitation, ritual and bedside administration of sacraments, or pastoral counseling. conducts spiritual assessments to identify patients' strengths and needs. Creates plans for care in response to the moral injuries and spiritual distress of patients that enhance the Holistic Treatment of Veteran patients.
provides crisis intervention and stabilization as required. Duties are continued in the How You Will Be Evaluated Section.
Full federal benefits details →
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $89508 – $116362/yr.
This position is eligible for telework.
Applications close on 2026-11-13.
This position is open under the 'Fed Competitive' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government · Retrieved 2026-11-05 · Not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM or USAJOBS.gov
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