Come work as a Spiritual Health Practitioner 2 with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)!

Vancouver Coastal Health is looking for a Spiritual Health Practitioner 2 to join the Spiritual Care and Multifaith Services team. Apply today to join our team!

As a Spiritual Health Practitioner 2 with Vancouver Coastal Health you will:

• Accept referrals from all disciplines and provides spiritual care and support to clients on an interfaith basis by assessing spiritual needs and establishing and implementing a plan of spiritual response as appropriate in a manner sensitive to religious and cultural diversity.
• Provide formal and informal consultations to staff, community clergy, interdisciplinary team members and students. Reviews needs and/or specific clients’ status, problem solves and provides guidance/knowledge in the management of the client/client group to facilitate a conducive learning environment and ongoing development.
• Initiate and/or participate in spiritual care/multifaith services; ensures clients have an opportunity to worship according to their faith tradition. Ensures availability of information about client’s religious preference/affiliation for use by lay visitors, community clergy and other spiritual care providers. Conducts memorial service on request and provides support to those who mourn.
• Liaise with community clergy and other religious/spiritual leaders to ensure continued delivery of spiritual care services to clients requiring ongoing support. Establishes and maintains a directory for patient/resident units for community clergy to respond to religious/spiritual needs.
• Review literature and follows developments in spiritual care to ensure policies, procedures and applicable clinical guidelines remain current to help ensure effective client treatment.
• Assist in reviewing standards such as those established by the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation (CCHSA) and BC Health, makes recommendations for changes to improve the quality of spiritual care offered and participates in the implementation of changes.
• Participate in maintaining, overseeing and coordinating sacred space or chapels by working with other members of the interdisciplinary team.
• Participate in the recruitment, orientation, training, placement and supervision of spiritual care interns.
• Actively lead or participate in projects/initiatives that result in the reduction of risks and improvements in quality of spiritual care services.
• Carry out responsibilities in accordance with health and safety requirements. Immediately reports unsafe situations by notifying supervisor or other appropriate personnel.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Experience

• Master's Degree with relevant theological/spiritual studies from a recognized institution accredited by the Association of Theological Schools.
• Five (5) years of recent related experience preferred as a spiritual care practioner in an institutional setting and completion of two basic and two advanced units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) in a health care setting or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Valid certification with Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC) or commitment to apply for certification within first year as a Specialist in Pastoral Care.
• Maintains an active, ongoing, accountable relationship with a recognized denomination or faith group.

Knowledge & Abilities

• Applies specialized knowledge of pastoral/spiritual care and or pastoral counseling theory and practice with individuals, families and groups in a client centered model of care at bedside as well as in more controlled environments.
• Shows advanced ability to forge rapport and therapeutic alliance through authentic mindful presence in critical moments with persons experiencing immediate crisis or long term life altering illness/injury.
• Effectively and accurately utilizes both verbal and written communication skills when obtaining and providing advice/information in a group or individual setting.
• Working knowledge of bio-medical ethics and a demonstrated ability to work within the spiritual worldview of patients and families to assist them with contextual decision making.
• Demonstrates spiritual and cultural competency in working with a diversity of faiths and cultures and assists clinical teams in providing care that promotes mutual understanding and cooperation between patients, their families and the health care team.
• Possesses an understanding of health care team model and engages in inter-professional dialogue through seeking and providing consultation with professionals in other disciplines.
• Works within the scope of practice articulated in the Ministry of Health document- Spiritual Health - A Framework for British Columbia’s Spiritual Care Professionals and adheres to the code of ethics referenced therein.
• Actively participates in research initiatives and promotes best practices as they relate to spiritual care and well being issues, exhibits expertise in new developments in spiritual care and maintains currency through literature, consultation with experts, clinical practice evaluation and attendance at professional development activities.
• Applies computer literacy skills with relevant computer programs for clinical and clerical purposes including quality assurance practices and charting.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in collaboration with others.

This Role Description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and is not necessarily an exhaustive list of accountabilities, duties and skills required.

As per the current Public Health Orders (Long Term Care/Seniors Assisted Living Provincial Health Officer Order and the Health Sector Order), as of October 26, 2021, all employees working for Vancouver Coastal Health must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Proof of vaccination status will be required.

WHY JOIN VANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH?

VCH is a world class innovator in medical care, research and teaching, delivering service to more than one million BC residents. At VCH, we embrace thinking boldly, taking smart risks, and "going first" when we believe it will lead to the best possible outcomes for patients and their families. We invite you to join us in creating healthy lives in healthy communities by showcasing our passion for care, connection to the communities we serve and our culture of teamwork that makes VCH a great place to work.

• Comprehensive health benefits package, including MSP, extended health and dental and municipal pension plan
• Grow your career with employer-paid training and leadership development opportunities
• Wellness supports, including counselling, critical incident and innovative wellness services are available to employees and their immediate families
• Award-winning recognition programs to honour staff, medical staff and volunteers
• Access to exclusive discount offers and deals for VCH staff

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to our goals of creating a great place to work and delivering exceptional care. We acknowledge and accommodate unique differences and ensure special measures are in place so that all prospective and current employees are given an opportunity to succeed.

We are committed to building a representative workforce and encourage applications reflecting diversity of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization or ancestry, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers in 2022.

Please note that a resume is required to apply to this posting.

Hours of Work may vary due to project requirements.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for this posting

***Employees of VCH must apply via the Internal Application Process. Refer to the https://my.vch.ca/working-here/job-postings site for How to Apply instructions. Current VCH employees who apply to this posting using this external site will be considered as an external candidate. Seniority will not apply.***

Thank you for your interest in Vancouver Coastal Health.