- Position Title
- Chaplain
- Agency
- Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
- Announcement Number
- CBSR-10996520-21-PB Opens in new window
- Open Period
- Wednesday, December 23, 2020 to Friday, January 15, 2021
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Preferences
1.
Which of the following items describes your current or recent (within the last five years) political appointee service?
If you responded yes to any of the items below, you will need to include a SF-50 specifying your prior service.
If you responded yes to any of the items below, you will need to include a SF-50 specifying your prior service.
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in the Chaplain position with the Battle Creek VA Medical Center.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
1.
Are you a current employee at a VA Medical Center or other Federal agency?
Note: SF-50 Required to show proof of federal service
Note: SF-50 Required to show proof of federal service
2.
Do you have 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 is acceptable (such as 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 ?.)
NOTE on foreign education: To be creditable, theological or related education completed outside the U.S. must be submitted to a current affiliate agency of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) listed at https://www.naces.org/members. Copy verification must be provided.
*Must include supporting documentation verifying the educational requirement in application packet*
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 is acceptable (such as 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 ?.)
NOTE on foreign education: To be creditable, theological or related education completed outside the U.S. must be submitted to a current affiliate agency of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) listed at https://www.naces.org/members. Copy verification must be provided.
*Must include supporting documentation verifying the educational requirement in application packet*
3.
Have you completed four (4) units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) from a CPE center is accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education?
*Must include supporting documentation verifying the CPE requirement in application packet*
*Must include supporting documentation verifying the CPE requirement in application packet*
4.
Do you 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.
NOTE: 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
*Must include supporting documentation verifying the ecclesiastical endorsement requirement in application packet*
NOTE: 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
*Must include supporting documentation verifying the ecclesiastical endorsement requirement in application packet*
5.
Are you 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 (GS-9). For the journey level (GS-11) and above, you must have board certification.
*Must include supporting documentation verifying the board certification requirement in application packet if applying for the GS-11 grade level*
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 (GS-9). For the journey level (GS-11) and above, you must have board certification.
*Must include supporting documentation verifying the board certification requirement in application packet if applying for the GS-11 grade level*
6.
Are you proficient in the English Language? Chaplains must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. ? 7403(f).
7.
To qualify for the GS-9 grade level, do you meet the basic requirements consisting of citizenship, education, board certification, clinical pastoral education (CPE), ecclesiastical endorsement, and English language proficiency?
At the GS-9 entry level, Chaplains serve in a career development position practicing under the supervision of a supervisory or qualified individual ho reviews and ensures the employee meets competency requirements. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs):
? Knowledge of spiritual assessments to identify patient strengths and needs and documenting services provided.
? Ability to use the information of the spiritual assessment to create care plans in all dimensions of pastoral care.
? Ability to provide crisis intervention and stabilization.
? Skill in healthcare team collaboration to create and update treatment plans to address spiritual issues.
? Ability to ensure free exercise of religion for patients and staff.
? Knowledge of individual and group interventions to address spiritual and emotional needs of patients and families; providing referrals for continuity of spiritual care.
? Skill in the coordination of religious services respecting the faith tradition of individual patients. viii. Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with persons of varied backgrounds.
At the GS-9 entry level, Chaplains serve in a career development position practicing under the supervision of a supervisory or qualified individual ho reviews and ensures the employee meets competency requirements. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs):
? Knowledge of spiritual assessments to identify patient strengths and needs and documenting services provided.
? Ability to use the information of the spiritual assessment to create care plans in all dimensions of pastoral care.
? Ability to provide crisis intervention and stabilization.
? Skill in healthcare team collaboration to create and update treatment plans to address spiritual issues.
? Ability to ensure free exercise of religion for patients and staff.
? Knowledge of individual and group interventions to address spiritual and emotional needs of patients and families; providing referrals for continuity of spiritual care.
? Skill in the coordination of religious services respecting the faith tradition of individual patients. viii. Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with persons of varied backgrounds.
8.
To qualify for the GS-11 grade level, do you have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level that is directly related to the position to be filled? Creditable experience is defined as experience that has required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs), and other characteristics, also referred to as core competencies; be associated with the scope of chaplain practice equivalent to at least the next lower grade level; be directly related to the position being filled; and may be paid or non-paid employment. Examples of experience may include the following: conducting spiritual assessments to identify patient strengths and needs and creates plans for care in response to the moral injuries and spiritual distress of patients; providing crisis intervention and stabilization as required; collaborating with healthcare teams to create and update treatment plans to address spiritual distress, grief, and loss as existential concerns to enhance holistic care; using a variety of intervention methods, including individual and group intervention, to address the emotional and spiritual needs of patients and families; coordinating religious services in a manner which respects the faith traditions and religious expression of patient; and, communicating effectively both in writing and verbally with persons of varied backgrounds
In addition to the one year of experience you must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs):
? Knowledge of advance care planning to educate, inform, and counsel patients and families.
? Skill in guiding patients in verbalizing and expressing values through life review, oral history, and end of life preparation and documentation.
? Ability to develop pastoral care programs that are measurable, outcome-driven and evidenced based within the department guidelines.
? 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.
? Ability to support the development of staff resiliency and develop programs for staff development and wellness by providing spiritual and emotional support.
? Ability to educate and equip healthcare staff and trainees screening for spiritual and religious needs of patients and the importance of appropriate referrals to chaplains for complex spiritual distress.
? 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.
In addition to the one year of experience you must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs):
? Knowledge of advance care planning to educate, inform, and counsel patients and families.
? Skill in guiding patients in verbalizing and expressing values through life review, oral history, and end of life preparation and documentation.
? Ability to develop pastoral care programs that are measurable, outcome-driven and evidenced based within the department guidelines.
? 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.
? Ability to support the development of staff resiliency and develop programs for staff development and wellness by providing spiritual and emotional support.
? Ability to educate and equip healthcare staff and trainees screening for spiritual and religious needs of patients and the importance of appropriate referrals to chaplains for complex spiritual distress.
? 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.
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s).
9.
For the GS-12 grade level, do you have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the journey level (GS-11) that is directly related to the position to be filled? To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities (KSAs), and other characteristics, also referred to as core competencies; be associated with the scope of chaplain practice equivalent to at least the next lower grade level; be directly related to the position being filled; and may be paid or non-paid employment. Examples of experience may include independently serves as a primary resource and point of contact for the spiritual needs of patients, caregivers and staff; providing advance care planning education, information, and counsel for patients and their families; providing guidance and/or support for patients to express values through processes such as life review, oral history, and end of life preparation and documentation; developing pastoral care programs that are measurable, outcome-driven, and evidence-based in coordination with the department guidelines; providing 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; and, supporting the development of staff resiliency by providing emotional and spiritual support and compassionate presence and develops programs for staff development and wellness.
And
Hold a specialty certification. Specialty certification is demonstrated advanced practice and/or specialization in chaplaincy beyond the board certification and is required for the GS-12 grade level. Specialty certification from a professional chaplain certifying body that is directly related to the assignment is qualifying for a senior chaplain assignment
.In addition, you must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
-Ability to apply relevant theories and methodologies to their ministry specialty.
-Ability to integrate specialized psychological and sociological theory with an advanced approach to spiritual care.
- Skill to seek out primary research and research literature that informs the ministry specialty and one's spiritual care practice
.- Skill in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of chaplain practice and services in the specialty area, utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes.- Ability to mediate conflict, hold various emotions and diffuse moral distress among staff and complex crisis situations
.- Ability to provide specialized consultation, teaching and mentoring to colleagues and students on advanced spiritual care interventions in the service delivery area.
- Ability to apply advanced clinical knowledge to write policies, procedures and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area.
And
Hold a specialty certification. Specialty certification is demonstrated advanced practice and/or specialization in chaplaincy beyond the board certification and is required for the GS-12 grade level. Specialty certification from a professional chaplain certifying body that is directly related to the assignment is qualifying for a senior chaplain assignment
.In addition, you must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
-Ability to apply relevant theories and methodologies to their ministry specialty.
-Ability to integrate specialized psychological and sociological theory with an advanced approach to spiritual care.
- Skill to seek out primary research and research literature that informs the ministry specialty and one's spiritual care practice
.- Skill in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of chaplain practice and services in the specialty area, utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes.- Ability to mediate conflict, hold various emotions and diffuse moral distress among staff and complex crisis situations
.- Ability to provide specialized consultation, teaching and mentoring to colleagues and students on advanced spiritual care interventions in the service delivery area.
- Ability to apply advanced clinical knowledge to write policies, procedures and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area.
10.
I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information included in this questionnaire is true, correct, and provided in good faith. I understand that if I make an intentional false statement, or commit deception or fraud in this application and its supporting materials, or in any document or interview associated with the examination process, I may be fined or imprisoned (18 U.S.C. 1001); my eligibilities may be cancelled, I may be denied an appointment, or I may be removed and debarred from Federal service (5 C.F.R. part 731). I understand that any information I give may be investigated. I understand that responding "No" to this item will result in my not being considered for this position.