Spiritual Care Practitioner

• Permanent Part time | Flexible hours - 10 hours per week over 3 days
• Maroondah hospital | Car-parking available
• Team with purpose and soul

Eastern Health

Eastern Health is one of Melbourne’s largest public health services. We provide a range of emergency, surgical, medical and general healthcare services, including maternity, palliative care, mental health, drug and alcohol, residential care, community health and state-wide specialist services to people and communities that are diverse in culture, age, socio-economic status, population and healthcare needs.

About the role

This role is all about being with people and working with them to elicit what gives them meaning, purpose and social connectivity. An opportunity to make a difference to those who are vulnerable and are presented with complex health challenges. Each time you arrive to work your day will be different and full of variety.

As a self-motivated individual, you have a work history of experience combined with qualifications in spiritual-pastoral care. The majority of your time will be spent by the bedside supporting inpatients, primary carers, family members, consumers and staff. You will do this through compassionate active listening, being attentive to the individuals needs as they present, within the spiritual-pastoral context and scope of practice.

Working collaboratively within the interdisciplinary teams, you are a sole practitioner on site, which presents its own challenges. You are however, supported by the Eastern Health Spiritual –pastoral care team of which you become a valued and respected member. An ongoing part of this role is promoting the profession by providing constant and ‘on the run’ insight to the greater healthcare team about your work, and what it is that you bring to the patients’ holistic wellbeing.

A typical day in an acute hospital setting may include: arriving at work to immediately attend a referral for a dying patient in ED with the family requesting a Hindu farewell ritual, next onto a GEM ward to support a patient (and family) admitted after falling in the shower, fracturing a hip and now anxious prior to surgery and requesting a Priest for reconciliation, to then lead group meditation with eating disorder inpatients, followed by arranging for a Buddhist Monk to provide the final blessings for a deceased patient with no family, to then attend a staff member wanting self-care strategies as they are not coping and have fatigue. Each day is extremely busy and unpredictable.

Governance and compliance is part of best practice and transparency, and in order for this to occur there is a significant level of administration required in this role along with a high level of attention to detail and accurate recording of activity and patient encounter data.

Arranging and leading public ceremonies, services, memorials and mindfulness meditations will come naturally to you.

This work exposes you to vulnerable people’s emotions at a spiritual level and how these feelings affect their holistic wellbeing. You have capacity and are comfortable with death and dying and holding those in grief and loss.  To be successful in this role you need to practice work life balance through individual self-care strategies, tools, therapies and practices. Eastern Health promotes employee wellbeing and self-care, however you are required to have regular external supervision.

As an employee of Eastern Health, you may be required to work at any of our sites / campuses.

This position is based at the Maroondah Hospital campus, 10 hours per week over three (3) days.

Either: Monday, Wednesday, Friday or,

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.

About you 

To be successful in this role you will possess:

• Two units of Clinical Pastoral Education
• Under Graduate qualifications in Theology or a Social Science
• Highly developed interpersonal and listening skills
• Exceptional time management skills
• The ability to work as part of a diverse team and as a sole practitioner
• Excellent communication and organisational skills
• High level of computer competancy skills

Please refer to the attached position description for further details of the role.

Vaccination against infectious disease is a mandatory requirement of this role.  An offer of employment is conditional on you providing evidence that you are currently vaccinated against COVID-19 with booster & Influenza, prior to commencing employment.

What we offer

Eastern Health offers a variety of fantastic Employee Benefits, view the extensive range here!

• Diverse and engaging career opportunities
• Friendly & supportive team
• Flexible working hours
• Salary packaging options
• Career progression in our teaching hospitals

Next Steps

If you believe you have the ability to make a difference in this rewarding industry, apply today!

Please note: 

• All applications must be submitted online via E-Mercury
• All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory Fit2Work Check, where preferred candidates will be required to complete a Criminal History Check at the expense of Eastern Health.
• You must have Australian work rights to apply for this position.
• Recruitment agency applications will not be accepted.

Eastern Health is a child safe organisation, committed to promoting the wellbeing and cultural safety of Aboriginal children, children with disabilities and all children in their diversity.

Eastern Health is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment that welcomes and values all people. We recognise that diversity is essential in ensuring Eastern Health provides the best service to its consumers.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, those from the LGBTIQ+ community, people living with disability and those from a culturally and linguistically diverse background, are strongly encouraged to apply. Those seeking support in submitting an application are welcome to contact the hiring manager listed or feel free to contact the Talent Acquisition team.

Values in Action: Respect for all | Safe always | Partnering in care | Learning and improving every day

**Please note applications will be screened upon receipt and advertising may close prior to the closing date.**