This Staff Chaplain position is located at the VA Boston Healthcare System, West Roxbury, Massachusetts. The position is full-time at 40 hours per week.
This position 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.
Duties may include, but are not limited to: Leads and offers prayers and religious services for Veteran patients, patient families, staff, and community. Conduct rituals in front of groups of people. Addresses the religious, spiritual, moral, and ethical problems of patients and staff. Provides 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. Serves as a fully recognized member of an integrated multi-professional treatment team.
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. Serves as professional clinical chaplain in specialty clinics. Maintains records and appropriately documents chaplaincy care services. Provides pastoral counseling on medical and ethical matters.
Develops measurable, outcome-driven, and evidence-based pastoral care; and creates staff development and wellness programs. Provides appropriate education and training to other healthcare staff and trainees. Coordinates with the appropriate VHA Chaplain Service officials and adheres to the department's guidelines. Maintains cooperative relationships with Medical Center personnel and individuals and groups in the community.
Engages community resources to meet the religious needs of patients that cannot be met by chaplain staff. Administers ordinances, rites or sacraments; prepares and delivers sermons; arranges for the atmosphere and symbolism of worship; and conducts funeral services when needed. Provides pastoral care involving initial interviews, visits to the various units of the institution, and bedside ministry.
Conducts spiritual assessments to identify patients' strengths and needs and 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. Work Schedule: Tuesday-Saturday 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: PDF01856 and PDF01857 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required Notifications: This position is in the Excepted Service. This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay. The incumbent may be required to travel to other VA campuses and CBOC's. May be required to attend conference at other facilities or other VA sites on occasion.
Current and former Federal employees may submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment.
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/. Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be submitted to a current affiliate agency of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) at https://www.naces.org/members and be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program.
Physical Requirements: This position requires the Chaplain to meaningfully engage with Veteran patients and family members by walking and moving within the healthcare setting or with the incumbent using an assistive device. The Chaplain is required to speak, hear (hearing aid permitted) and work closely with others. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
julia.murdoch@va.gov · 508-513-7803
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $69905 – $109959/yr.
Applications close on 2026-11-09.
This position is open under the 'Public' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government · Retrieved 2026-10-29 · Not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM or USAJOBS.gov
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