INT Chaplain

The East Orange VA Medical Center is actively recruiting for a Chaplain. This role is part of the Department of Veterans Affairs within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). The position resides in the Chaplain Service where the Chaplain provides spiritual care and support to Veterans, their families, and staff as part of an interdisciplinary healthcare team.

This position is located within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMC), Chaplain Service (CS). The position provides services within various settings, including Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs), Inpatient Clinics, Outpatient Clinics and domiciliaries 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, Patients families and staff in various inpatient and outpatient settings. The duties of the position may include but, are not limited to: 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. The incumbent serves in a developmental Chaplain capacity under the direct supervision and frequent guidance of a higher-grade chaplain for complex non-routine assignments. 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 under the direct supervision and guidance of a higher-grade chaplain. Serves as a fully recognized member of an integrated multi-professional treatment team. Maintains liaison with physicians, medical officers, psychologists, nurses, therapists, social workers, or others involved to exchange information relative to background and current condition of patients under the direct supervision and guidance of a higher-grade chaplain. 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 crisis. Develops measurable, outcome-driven, and evidence-based pastoral care; and creates staff development and wellness programs Maintains cooperative relationships with Medical Center personnel and individuals and groups in the community including local clubs, church groups, special agencies, business organizations and other stakeholders. Provides regular and routine personal visits, special visits, and new patient interviews based on requests and referrals/consults; may involve friendly visitation, ritual and bedside administration of sacraments, or pastoral counseling. Possesses the ability to educate and equip healthcare staff and trainees, screening for spiritual and religious needs of, and the importance of appropriate referrals to chaplains for complex spiritual distress. Uses 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. The incumbent reports to the Chief, Chaplain Service/Supervisory Chaplain within a vast majority of the VHA locations. The incumbent works independently and receives technical and administrative guidance from the Chief, Chaplain Service, or ELT Member who provides strategic guidance and priorities. The incumbent's relationship with Veterans, Veteran patients, management, colleagues, and the public are consistently courteous, respectful, and cooperative. The incumbent displays a cooperative attitude and works effectively together with others to implement the organization's mission and goals. The incumbent ensures productivity is maintained at the established level of the program for which he or she is responsible. 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. Performs a variety of complex intervention methods, including individual and group interventions to address the emotional and spiritual needs of patients and families. Work Schedule: On an as needed basis Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Relocation Incentive: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.