The primary purpose of this position provides clinical pastoral education oversight and is responsible for designing, developing, managing, directing and conducting the Chaplain Resident and Fellow graduate level instruction in the capacity of ACPE Certified Educator.

The incumbent develops well rounded CPE Program of Instruction which provides integrated religious ministry for Veterans patients and families. Provides effective leadership in developing, planning, coordinating and on-ongoing accreditation of a complete pastoral care graduate program of instruction incorporating clinical care for Veterans, caregivers, and staff. Provides religious services, instruction and pastoral care for inpatient and outpatient recipients and their families served by the Northern California Health Care Systems (NCHCS) and its clinics. The chaplain performs spiritual care assessments and interventions with patients in a variety of health care settings. The chaplain works with patients in a variety of encounter modalities such as individual and group encounters, group leader, group resources person, etc. other duties include but are limited to:
CPE Program oversight: Designing, developing, modifying, updating and instructing a graduate level highly complex course of instruction of Clinical pastoral Education (CPE) accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education Inc. (ACPE). Provides subject matter expert instruction. Collaborates with Supervisory Chaplain in recruiting interdisciplinary faculty while developing/advising an interdisciplinary professionalconsultation committee. Screens and recommends students for admission: Level 1, Level II, and Supervisory CPE, Instructing CPE resident and fellows in performing spiritual assessments, pastoral counseling and interventions, using a variety of encounter modalities, with patients in a variety of healthcare setting such as in primary and specialized care, extended care, and mental health. Developing and maintaining active relationships with community clergy and judicatories, seminaries, and healthcare institutions to recruit students for the Clinical Pastoral Education Program.
Worship Service, Establishes periods for public worship, conducts weekly/regularly scheduled services including devotions, sermons, and arranging for the atmosphere and symbolism of worship.
Special Service, The incumbent arranges for special services including administering ordinances, rites or sacraments, conductions funeral, or seasonal services; provides bereavement support as required. As specific need and occasion arise, the Chaplain may be called upon to officiate at bedside services for patients; conducts special services (i.e. funeral and memorial services); initiate plans for special services in times of national crisis and mourning or national celebration and thanksgiving.
Community Relations, The incumbent maintains contact with families of patients, with local pastors, with local church groups and with interested community organizations to further their interest in the problems of the patients; accepts opportunities to participate in special Medical Center Programs as required; develops and maintains active relationships with community clergy, churches and /or synagogues to win assistance in the religious program of the center as well as to gain acceptance of the mission of the total hospital program. Incumbent cooperates with other medical facilities such (e.g., area hospice programs etc.) who are providing care to veteran patients.
Spiritual Assessment, The incumbent conducts spiritual assessments to determine patients spiritual resource and injuries; determines patients faith or preference for pastoral care; conveys assessment to other professionals to be considered in patient total care. The incumbent meets the religious and spiritual needs of patients; provides pastoral care in a timely manner including initial visits to newly diagnosed palliative care patients, daily ward visitations, visits to seriously ill, intensive care unit, preoperative and postoperative patients; performs pastoral interview to ascertain patient's religious background, evaluate her/his religious need, and locates other chaplains and/or community clergy as necessary to meet specific faith group needs. The incumbent is responsible for documenting patient care in accordance with Chaplain Service policies and procedures.
Work schedule: Monday-Friday Variable May provide emergency on-call night, holiday and weekend patient care coverage.

Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Yes
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIRMENTS. To qualify for appointment as a chaplain, all applicants must possess the following:
1. Citizenship. Citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7407 (a).

2. 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.

3. Clinical Pastoral Education: In addition to the education requirement, applicants must have completed 4 units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) [as defined by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE)] or the National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC). 800 hours of supervised ministry in a formal training program which incorporated both ministry formation and pastoral care skills development will be considered for equivalency to the required CPE. Evidence of two units of CPE or Letter of Equivalency for CPE from the National VA Chaplain Center must be uploaded in the application materials. To request Letter of Equivalency for CPE, email CHAPVACO@med.va.gov. Any applicants without 2 units of CPE or Letter of Equivalency will be disqualified.

4. 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. Ecclesiastical endorsement is a written official statement, by the official national endorsing body of the faith group or denomination, certifying that the applicant is in good standing with the applicant's faith group or denomination; and stating that the individual is, in the opinion of the endorsing body, qualified to perform the full range of ministry required in the VA pluralistic setting. Loss of endorsement will result in removal from the GS-0060 Chaplain series and may result in termination of employment. The National Chaplain Service maintains a list of approved endorsing organizations that can be found here: https://www.patientcare.va.gov/chaplain/Employment_Information_and_Resources.asp

4. Board Certification: All applicants must be a Board Certified Chaplain certified by the Board Of Chaplaincy Certification Inc. (BCCI) or nationally recognized certification body that utilizes the BCCI Common Qualifications and Competencies for Professional Chaplaincy or a certifying organization that has a reciprocity agreement with BCCI.

Exception. Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2) for a period not to exceed two years. This exception only applies at the entry level. For the journey level and above, the candidate must have board certification. At the time of appointment, the supervisor in collaboration with Human Resources, will provide the uncertified chaplain with the written requirements for obtaining certification, the date by which the certification must by acquired, and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline. The written notice must be provided prior to the entrance on duty date. Failure to become certified within two years from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0060 Chaplain series and may result in termination of employment. Temporary graduate chaplain appointments may not be extended beyond two years and may not be converted to a new temporary appointment in this occupation.

5. Physical Requirement. 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

6. English Language Proficiency: All applicants must be proficient in written and spoken English.

GRADE DETERMINATION. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade or candidates:

Experience. At this level, the candidate must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that is directly related to the CPE Educator position.

Certification.

1. To provide educational supervision for CPE Level 1 and Level 2 students, the Chaplain CPE Educator must be a Certified Educator.
2. To provide educational supervision for students seeking to become Certified Educators, the Chaplain CPE Educator must be a CPE national faculty from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• PCS Orders
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Next steps