Chaplain (Clinical Pastoral Educator)

Summary
This position is located in the Chaplain Service at Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System in Little Rock, AR and performs senior-level clinical assignments. The incumbent provides comprehensive religious, spiritual, and pastoral care to all persons that are commensurate with the
needs, desires, and voluntary consent of the Veteran, caregiver, or staff.
This job is open to

• Internal to an agency
  Current federal employees of this agency.

Clarification from the agency
Current permanent Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System employees (includes CBOCs).
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Duties
The duties of the Chaplain (Clinical Pastoral Educator) in Chaplain Service include but are not limited to:

• Carries out an education ministry with the CPE Center, which is highly integrated into VHA's Chaplain program. Provides thorough guidance and advice to Chaplain Service management staff, students, other Chaplains, and stakeholders.
• Manages the daily operations of the CPE Center and develops and implements program policies and procedures.
• Offers students an opportunity to develop and expand professional caring skills in a clinical setting to address a person's spiritual, emotional, and physical needs; and offers students experience with hands-on spiritual care for hospitalized patients.
• Ensures all documentation is completed for compliance. Develops educational curricula that are measurable, outcome-oriented, and evidence-based and designed to meet board certification competencies.
• Monitors the CPE Center's program effectiveness and modification of service pattern, which includes research and leadership of clinical teams. Develops and implements methods to measure the effectiveness of the Chaplain educational program.
• Uses outcome evaluations to improve educational services and to design education system changes. Seeks best practices, primary research, and research literature that informs the ministry specialty and one's spiritual care practice.
• Provides leadership, direction, orientation, coaching, in-service training, staff development, and continuing education programs.
• Serves as a primary senior Chaplain education resource, spiritual advisor, and liaison for the spiritual needs of Veterans patients, students, caregivers, and staff.
• Conducts comprehensive religious services and worship, pastoral ministry, and administration of Chaplain services.
• 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 with the IDT.
• Educates, trains, and coaches volunteer groups who offer their services and assistance. Provides expert guidance and advice to other VHA Chaplains.
• Engages in group consultative discussions or conferences with treatment professionals to provide senior-level Chaplain related input.
• 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 in the service delivery area.
• 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.
• Provides guidance and religious instruction to students, individuals, and groups. Conducts and arranges for religious worship services in chapels and at other locations for patients that are unable to attend regular chapel services.
• Interacts and maintains cooperative relationships with Medical Center personnel, family, local clergy, individuals, and groups in the community.
• Maintains contacts with staff members of other professional disciplines of the VHA facility for exchange of information relative to the background and current condition of the patient.
• Uses significant religious devotional literature, films, etc. to conduct individual or group educational discussions, Bible classes, instructional classes, and tutoring for courses completed by correspondence.
• 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.
• Spends minimally 35% of time in patient care. Time includes the time of guiding students with direct patient care.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7 am to 3:30 pm. Could include Weekends, Holidays, Evenings, and Nights
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Title/Functional Statement #:598-0019-F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Requirements
Conditions of Employment

• 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.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment medical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications
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.
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• 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 is acceptable such as the Board of Chaplaincy Certification Inc. (BCCI) ® or a 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.

• Clinical Pastoral Education: Applicant 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: Must possess and maintain a full and active ecclesiastical endorsement, dated within the past 12 months. Must be from the official national endorsing authority of the applicant's faith group or denomination.
• Board Certification: 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.

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).
Preferred Experience: Ability to develop a Clinical Pastoral education program.
Grade Determinations:
Chaplain, GS-12
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. Examples of creditable experience at the GS-11 include but not limited to provides advance care planning education, information, and counsel, develops pastoral care programs, provides pastoral counseling on medical and ethical matters, supports the development of staff resiliency, provides education and equips other healthcare staff and trainees to screen for spiritual and religious needs, and coordinates with community organizations to ensure the provision of comprehensive spiritual care, and engaging community resources to meet religious needs of patients that cannot be met by chaplain staff.
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.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Ability to independently educate all levels of CPE students and plan, organize, and implement all levels of the CPE program.
• 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.
• Skill in written and verbal communication that are articulate, professional and cohesive.
• Ability to recruit, interview and select students for the CPE program.
• Knowledge of professional ethics for certified educators and history of CPE.
• Ability to apply theoretical understanding for and competence in administering and conducting all levels of CPE programs.
• Knowledge of emerging trends and research in the area of pastoral education.
• Knowledge of diverse conceptual frameworks for developing educational curriculum.

References: VA Handbook 5005/135, Part II Appendix G67, Chaplain Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.
The position is above full performance level (GS-12).
Physical Requirements: The work requires light lifting and carrying (under 15 pounds), use of fingers, walking (~2 hours), standing (~3 hours), and hear (aid permitted). (See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services).
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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Additional information
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

• Benefits
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