National VA Chaplain Service
National VA Chaplain Service
National VA Chaplain Service is a vital part of the VA Healthcare System, dedicated to providing the highest quality pastoral care to the veteran.Chaplains are on call 24/7. The mission of National VA Chaplain Service is to provide spiritual/religious care to all Veterans and their family members.
NationalVA Chaplains provide complete religious ministry to veteran patients in accordance with their needs and desires. They address religious, spiritual, moral, and ethical problems of patients, ministering to newly admitted, pre- and post-operative patients, the critically ill, and the families concerned.
Get in touch with your local Chaplain Find VA locations or in-network community care providers closest to you.
For National VA Chaplain Services points of contacts questions, please contact the VA National Chaplain Staff Group Email at: VANationalChaplainStaff@va.gov History of the Department of Veterans Affairs Chaplain Services
VA Secretary Doug Collins - Chaplains can be a vital resource *(twitter)
Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins has highlighted the importance of chaplains as a vital resource for veterans, caregivers, and families. Himself a former military chaplain, Collins has emphasized that these spiritual care providers offer essential support beyond just religious services and play a key role in holistic veteran healthcare.
VA Secretary Doug Collin' background and statements: Military and faith experience: A practicing military chaplain in the Air Force Reserve with the rank of colonel, Collins' experience includes a 2008 deployment to Iraq. He also served for years as a pastor in his home state of Georgia. This background gives him firsthand insight into the spiritual and psychological struggles of service members.
Advocacy for spiritual care: In a video message celebrating VA chaplain care, Collins paid tribute to VA chaplains as selfless servants who offer compassionate support to all veterans, regardless of their religious beliefs or lack thereof.
A holistic approach: As VA Secretary, Collins is focused on providing holistic care that addresses veterans' needs comprehensively. He views spiritual and religious support as an integral part of that mission.
VA Chaplains:
Serve on care teams: VA chaplains are integrated members of patient care teams who participate in medical rounds and patient care conferences to ensure spiritual health is addressed.
Offer 24/7 availability: Chaplain coverage is available 24 hours a day, particularly for urgent situations or emergencies.
Provide safe spaces: VA medical centers have nondenominational chapels open at all times for prayer, meditation, and quiet reflection.
How to access chaplain services: Go to the VA Chaplain Directory to find your local chaplain by state: https://www.patientcare.va.gov/chaplain/Chaplain_Directory.asp
- Any veteran, family member, or caregiver can request a meeting with a VA chaplain. You can find a local chaplain by: Calling your local VA facility and asking to speak with a chaplain. https://www.va.gov/find-locations/
Announcements
Spiritual Care Week - Celebration of Spiritual Care Week: Supporting Our Veterans Through Unity and Prayer, please join us recognizing and honoring our chaplain colleagues for their role in caring for Veterans and their loved ones.
Providing Spiritual and Comprehensive Care
Chaplain Supportive Spiritual Care
- Grief and loss care
- Risk Screening to identify factors that may affect your recovery
- Facilitation of spiritual issues related to tissue/organ donation
- Communication with your caregivers
- Facilitation of staff communication
- Conflict resolution among staff members, patients, and family members
- Referral and linkage to internal and external resources
- Assistance with decision making and communication
- Advance Directives
- Staff and Family Support
Chaplains are Members of the Patient Care Team
- Participate in Medical Rounds and Patient Care Conferences
- Participate in Interdisciplinary Education
- Chart spiritual care interventions in medical charts
Spiritual and Religious Services
Our chaplains help patients and family members through outpatient treatment, hospital stays, and extended care. If needed, they will contact your personal clergy or spiritual care provider in the community. Our chaplains are clinical pastoral care specialists who provide religious and non-religious people with services such as:
- Baptisms
- Bereavement (grief and loss) care
- Comfort and counseling
- Communion
- Funerals
- Weddings
VA Chaplain Benefits and Services
The role of the VA chaplain has long been recognized as an essential part of complete and holistic health care for U.S. veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their families seeking medical treatment through VA facilities.
Any veteran or family member, regardless of religious affiliation, is welcome to speak with a chaplain at any point in the medical treatment process. Many VA patients and their families find that working with a VA chaplain helps them develop appropriate strategies for coping with the stress, grief, and anxiety that often accompany making important medical decisions.
