Robert J. Dole Veterans Medical Center - DOD SkillBridge Clinical Chaplaincy Internship

DOD SkillBridge Clinical Chaplaincy Internship Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration. WORK SCHEDULE: Full Time - Internship. JOB OVERVIEW SUMMARY/VISION: To provide veterans the world-class benefits and services they have earned - and to do so by adhering to the highest standards of compassion, commitment, excellence, professionalism, integrity, accountability, and stewardship. OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise - 'To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan' - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans? These positions are open to preference eligible veterans, VRA and VEOA eligibles only. QUALIFICATIONS: The Chaplaincy Intern (CCI) is an occupational specialty for former military Chaplains. Individuals that are selected as DOD SkillBridge Clinical Chaplain Interns must be fully qualified military chaplains who are endorsed by their endorsing agencies for work within the VHA. DUTIES: The full performance of the Clinical Chaplain Intern (CCI)is assigned to the Department of Veteran Affairs, Veterans Health Administration (VHA). This position serves as a clinical chaplain Robert J. Dole VA Healthcare System.CCI's operate within clearly defined clinical competencies. These tasks are not all inclusive and require the demonstration of appropriate training and documented competence prior to their performance. The incumbent may assist with or perform other related approved technical health care procedures under the direction and supervision of the licensed personnel as competency is demonstrated and documented.

Clinical Chaplain. A clinical chaplain is an individual who meets all VA qualification requirements for Chaplain, and whose spiritual and pastoral care, and counseling is characterized by: (1) In-depth assessment, evaluation, and treatment of patients; (2) A high degree of integration into the total care and treatment program of a VA medical facility; and (3) Close working relationships with staff members of other professional health care disciplines. (4) Facility (Clinical) Chaplains are responsible for: (a) Upholding the right to free exercise of religion by all medical, domiciliary, and community living center patients in the VA medical facility. This includes providing or facilitating appropriate worship opportunities. (b) Supporting the religious and/or spiritual belief system and practices as requested by patients. c) Ensuring that religion is not imposed on any patient either overtly or subtly. November 22, 2016 VHA DIRECTIVE 1111(1) 21 (d) Assessing a patient's desire, or lack of desire, for spiritual and pastoral care as part of the total evaluation of the patient's health care needs. (e) Visiting pre- and post-operative patients according to the patient's individualized treatment plan. (f) Meeting with immediate relatives and visitors of patients during regular and emergency visits. (g) Providing spiritual counseling for Veterans' immediate family members, legal guardians, family caregivers and others who are eligible for consultation, professional counseling, marriage and family counseling, training, and mental health services in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 1782. (h) Providing bereavement counseling for individuals who received services under paragraph 5.e.(4)(g) (above) in the case of a death that was unexpected, or that occurred while the Veteran was participating in a VA hospice program or similar program run by VA and for family members, including parents, of members of the Armed Forces who die in the active military, naval, or air service in the line of duty and under circumstances not due to the person's own misconduct (see 38 U.S.C. 1783). (i) Providing spiritual counseling as desired by approved family caregivers of eligible Veterans in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 1720G(a)(3)(A)(i)(III). (j) Providing spiritual care for eligible survivors, dependents, and caregivers of certain Veterans, as appropriate and in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 1781.

Note: the exception to the board certification requirement for Clinical Internship is assumed for this position. It is further assumed if candidate is interested they may work toward board certification while in internship status. Selection as a clinical intern does not guarantee selection as a VA chaplain. BASIC REQUIREMENTS To qualify for appointment as a chaplain, all applicants must possess the following: Citizenship - Citizen of the United States (U.S.). 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 Board Certification) 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. 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. For the journey level and above, the candidate must have board certification. At the time of appointment, the supervisor in collaboration with Human Resources, will provide the uncertified chaplain with the written requirements for obtaining certification, the date by which the certification must by acquired, and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline. The written notice must be provided prior to the entrance on duty date. Failure to become certified within two years from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0060 Chaplain series and may result in termination of employment. Temporary graduate chaplain appointments may not be extended beyond two years and may not be converted to a new temporary appointment in this occupation. Loss of Endorsement or Certification - Chaplains must maintain ecclesiastical endorsement and board certification. Loss of endorsement or board certification will result in removal from the GS-0060 Chaplain occupation and may result in termination of employment. Physical Requirements - As required in 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).