The incumbent serves as a Chaplain Clinical Pastoral Educator (CPE) performing senior-level clinical assignments for the VHA.

Duties

Duties are, but not limited to: Serves as a certified Chaplain (CPE) providing comprehensive, religious ministry services and training to Veteran patients and students according to their specific needs. Incumbent must be able to supervise Certified Educator Candidate in training in ACPE, Inc. process. Carries out an education ministry with the CPE Center, which is highly integrated into VHA's Chaplain program. Manages the daily operations of the CPE Center and develops and implements program policies and procedures. Serves as a certified educator of record for all CPE students for an assigned designated area. Offers students an opportunity to develop and expand professional caring skills in a clinical setting. Maintains records for all educator evaluations, student records, center portfolio, and CPE accreditation requirements, which may include off-site CPE satellite and placement contracts. Seeks approval for allied health trainee positions through the Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA). Develops relationships with key staff related to the CPE program. Provides extended and intensive pastoral counseling as an integral part of the treatment program with patients facing complex, ethical, moral, and/or spiritual issues. Monitors the CPE Center's program effectiveness and modification of service pattern. Uses outcome evaluations to improve educational services and to design education system changes. Serves as a primary senior Chaplain education resource, spiritual advisor, and liaison for the spiritual need. Completes various complex educational projects, task groups, and assignments to obtain pertinent high-level information needed for Chaplain Service senior management officials. Ensures various complex educational training assignments are carried out in a pluralistic environment. Serves as a Chaplain senior representative and a fully recognized member of an interdisciplinary treatment team (IDT). Maintains effective rapport with physicians, medical officers, psychologists, nurses, therapists, social workers, or others involved. Educates, trains, and coaches volunteer groups who offer their services and assistance. Engages in group consultative discussions or conferences with treatment professionals to provide senior-level Chaplain related input. Collaborates with IDT on the evaluation and review of VHA's CPE Center program progress. Identifies other Chaplains and faith leaders and/or persons from the community to provide patients' religious needs if necessary. Provides guidance and support for patients to express values through processes such as life review, oral history, and end of life preparation and documentation. Develops and uses measurable, outcome-driven, and evidence-based pastoral care; and creates staff development and wellness programs. Provides specialized consultation, teaching, and mentoring to healthcare staff and trainees on advanced spiritual care interventions. Provides appropriate education and training to other healthcare staff and trainees to screen for spiritual and religious needs and the importance of appropriate referrals to chaplains for complex spiritual distress. Interacts and maintains cooperative relationships with Medical Center personnel, family, local clergy, individuals, and groups in the community. Coordinates with community organizations to provide spiritual care and educational outreach. Maintains contacts with staff members of other professional disciplines of the VHA facility for exchange of information. Uses significant religious devotional literature, films, etc. to conduct individual or group educational discussions. Completes various complex Chaplain related administrative assignments, projects, and reports; and independently develops and implements programs and curricula. Provides guidance and support for patients to express values through processes such as life review, oral history, and end of life preparation and documentation. Serves as a liaison to local seminaries, ordained persons, and others concerning CPE. Participates in the broader life of Accredited CPE through the National and Community of Practice events. Educates all levels of CPE students independently. Communicates effectively both in writing and verbally with persons of varied backgrounds to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines on the service delivery area. Uses effective written communication skills to articulate professional and cohesive information. Possesses and maintains current and new knowledge of pastoral education, emerging trends, research, and professional ethics for certified educators and history of CPE. Applies theoretical understanding and competence to administer and conduct all levels of CPE programs. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Telework: Ad-Hoc Telework per organization regulations. Functional Statement #: 40655F Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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 (see paragraph f) is acceptable. 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. Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). Applicants must have completed four units of CPE from a CPE center that is accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. 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 Board Certification. 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 ®. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. English Language Proficiency. Chaplains must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grandfathering Provision. All chaplains employed in VHA, in this occupational series, performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of this qualification standard, are considered to have met all the qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements of this standard, but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to the position, the following provisions apply: (1) Chaplains who do not meet the basic requirements for education and certification may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (2) Chaplains appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended, or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (3) Chaplains initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain education and/or certification that meets all the basic requirements of this qualification standard, must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. (4) Chaplains who were retained in this occupation, under this provision, and subsequently leave the occupation, lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations: GS 12 Chaplain (CPE Educator) 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 position to be filled. Certification. i. To provide educational supervision for CPE Level 1 and Level 2 students, the Chaplain CPE Educator must be a Certified Educator. ii. 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: i. Ability to independently educate all levels of CPE students and plan, organize, and implement all levels of the CPE program. ii. Skill in adhering to all accreditation standards, processes and practices including, but not limited to, timely and professional submission of all required program reports, center portfolio, fees and dues. iii. Skill in written and verbal communication that are articulate, professional and cohesive. iv. Ability to recruit, interview and select students for the CPE program. v. Knowledge of professional ethics for certified educators and history of CPE. vi. Ability to apply theoretical understanding for and competence in administering and conducting all levels of CPE programs. vii. Knowledge of emerging trends and research in the area of pastoral education. viii. Knowledge of diverse conceptual frameworks for developing educational curriculum. References: CHAPLAIN QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-0060 Veterans Health Administration The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS 12. 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.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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/.

Contacts

• Address West Palm Beach VA Medical Center 7305 North Military Trail West Palm Beach, FL 33410 US
• Name: Kristen L. Johnson
• Phone: 813-816-7155 X100172
• Email: [email protected]