Chaplain

at Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration in Hines, Illinois, United States Job Description Summary This position is located within the Chaplain Service (CS) for the Edward Hines Jr Veterans Affairs Hospital System, located in Hines, IL. The Chaplain provides services within various settings, including Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs), Inpatient Clinics, Outpatient Clinics, and domiciliary. The position provides pastoral counseling and treatment to Veteran patients, patients' families and staff in various inpatient and outpatient settings. Responsibilities This Chaplain professional performs clinical assignments for the Veterans Health Administration and 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. The Chaplain 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 chaplain services. Major duties of this position include but are not limited to: Serve as a Chaplain professional providing comprehensive, religious ministry services to Veteran patients according to their specific needs and desires. Carries out a ministry which is highly integrated into VHA's Chaplain program. Provides thorough guidance and advice to Chaplain Service management staff, other Chaplains, and other stakeholders. May serve at a facility in a clinical setting, or a small healthcare system, satellite outpatient clinic, other federal agency, or Community Based Out-patient Clinic ( CBOC ) where there is limited access to onsite supervision. Provide extended and intensive pastoral counseling as an integral part of the treatment program with patients facing complex, ethical, moral, and spiritual issues. Ensure program effectiveness and modification of service pattern, which includes research and leadership of clinical teams. Practice typically in a specialized clinic/program area, that may include intensive and extended pastoral counseling as an integral part of the treatment program, with patients facing complex moral, ethical, or spiritual problems. Serve as a Chaplain representative and a fully recognized member of an interdisciplinary treatment team ( IDT ). Advises and collaborates with other members of the IDT to provide comprehensive healthcare services to Veterans. Work with a full understanding of Chaplains' relationships to the objectives of VHA to successfully integrate the work of the medical facility's staff. Collaborate with and advises the other members of the IDT in the provision of comprehensive healthcare services to Veterans. Maintain effective rapport with physicians, medical officers, psychologists, nurses, therapists, social workers, or others involved with the IDT . Ensures equity of access, service, and benefits to Veterans and provides the highest quality of care. Provides leadership, direction, orientation, coaching, in-service training, staff development, and continuing education programs. Serve as a primary Chaplain resource, spiritual advisor, and liaison for the spiritual needs of patients, caregivers, and staff. Conducts comprehensive religious services and worship, pastoral ministry, and administration of Chaplain services. Lead various complex and sensitive projects, task groups, and assignments to obtain pertinent high-level information needed for Chaplain Service management officials. Engage as a spiritual leader, a compassionate listener, and counselor, especially during times of crisis. Provides emotional support and counseling using empathy and strong interpersonal skills to effectively connect with people of all ages. Ensure various complex assignments are carried out in a pluralistic environment, which encompasses sensitivity to the religious needs of many separate religious denominations and faith groups. Provide thorough spiritual leadership, offers prayers, and provides overall religious services for Veteran patients, patient families, staff, and community. Conduct rituals before groups of people, which requires effective leadership and public speaking skills. Address the religious, spiritual, moral, and ethical problems of patients and staff. Provides effective counseling services to patients and staff. Conducts regular rounds of hospital wards where patients are critically ill. Minister to newly admitted, pre- and post-operative patients, the critically ill, and the families of concerned Veteran patients. Provides advance care planning education, information, and counsel for patients and their families. Provide pastoral ministry to patients with respect to the patient's faith group, including conscientious attention during emergencies and crises.

Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm, with rotating weekends

Telework:

Not available

Virtual:

This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 09013

F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives:

Not authorized Permanent Change of Station ( PCS ): Not authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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.

Qualifications Basic Requirements:

All Chaplains must meet the following basic requirements:

Citizenship:

Citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).

English Language Proficiency:

Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

Education:

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 may meet this requirement with an approved educational equivalency review from a nationally recognized board certification body for chaplains. This would include the Board of Chaplaincy Certification Inc. ( BCCI ) or a U.S. certifying body that has a reciprocity agreement with BCCI .

Ecclesiastical Endorsement:

Possess and maintain a full and active ecclesiastical endorsement to be employed as a VA chaplain and must have an ecclesiastical endorsement, dated within the past 12 months. Ecclesiastical endors To view full details and how to apply, please login or create a Job Seeker account