Spiritual Health Practitioner

Detailed Overview

Supporting the Vision, Values, Purpose and Commitments of Fraser Health including service delivery that is centered around patients/clients/residents and families: Responsible for providing spiritual health services, care and support to patients, families and staff in an assigned acute site in a manner that is appropriate to belief systems, respectful of cultural diversity, and ensures spiritual health delivery is aligned with Fraser Health policies, Professional Practice and the Provincial Spiritual Health Framework. Works in partnership and collaboration with Fraser Health Spiritual Health staff members, Fraser Health Volunteer Managers and Coordinators, acute care volunteers, and with representatives of local faith and spiritual communities in the provision of spiritual care services which embraces all faiths, spiritualities, cultures or beliefs. Assists Fraser Health Spiritual Health Staff in recruitment, orientation, coordination, continuing education and support of volunteers and in facilitating linkages with a range of local community faith and spiritual groups. Responsibilities Plans, organizes, facilitates and provides spiritual care services on a multi-faith and multicultural basis for patients, families/friends and staff in an assigned acute site, including facilitating crisis interventions as necessary. Ensures spiritual health delivery is aligned with Fraser Health policies, procedures and standards in accordance with Professional Practice and the Provincial Spiritual Health Framework. Implements programs related to spiritual health while ensuring and respecting the individual's freedom of choice and privacy to select/request or decline spiritual support. Provides information and contacts regarding spiritual health services for patients, families, staff and the community. Provides formal and informal consultations to staff, physicians and members of the interdisciplinary professional team in verbal conferences/rounds; supplies chart documentation and notation of spiritual care assessments and care plans; maintains statistics on the delivery of spiritual health services for assigned facility; participates in continuous quality assurance improvements, as appropriate. In collaboration with the Leader, Spiritual Health, clinical operations, volunteer services, participates in recruitment, orientation, coordination and continuing education of acute site volunteers to ensure professional standards are met. Assists in the recruitment and orientation of additional spiritual health staff by participating in interview and orientation initiatives. In collaboration with site and spiritual health leadership, liaises with representatives of community religious and spiritual groups to develop and maintain spiritual care services for an assigned location. Develops and maintains positive working relationships with regional faith/spiritual communities; develops and facilitates patient linkages with community spiritual support services; maintains and updates roster of available spiritual resources in local communities for a range of multi-faith and/or spiritual groups. Manages and maintains an appropriate sacred space at assigned acute site; monitors the distribution of spiritual/religious materials and ensures information on religious and/or spiritual care services is available to patients, families and staff. Participates in the development of clinical decision support guidelines, policies, procedures, or protocols by reviewing relevant literature, following current development in spiritual care and participating in research activities. Maintains statistics on the delivery of spiritual health services for the assigned site and participates in continuous quality assurance improvements; maintains and updates roster of available spiritual resources in local communities for a range of multi-faith and/or spiritual groups. Maintains current professional knowledge of spiritual care by reviewing spiritual care literature, consulting with clinical/community experts in spiritual care, evaluating clinical practice and attending professional development activities to supplement knowledge and expertise. Qualifications QUALIFICATIONS: Master's Degree in theology or related discipline (e.g. religious studies, spirituality, sacred texts, pastoral studies) from a recognized educational institution accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS), or the Council of Higher Education Accreditation. Completion of one advanced unit of Clinical Psychospiritual Education from the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC), or equivalency. One year recent, related experience in a spiritual health related role or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Eligible for membership with the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC); an active and accountable member of good standing in one's own faith/spiritual community group. Valid BC Driver's License and access to a personal vehicle for business-related purposes, as required. COMPETENCIES: Demonstrates the leadership practices of the Fraser Health Leadership Framework of Clear, Caring and Courageous and creates the conditions for people to succeed. Professional/Technical Capabilities Ability to be able to consistently demonstrate the Canadian Association of Spiritual Care (CASC), core competencies, at a proficient level. Advanced ability and sensitivity to develop therapeutic and supportive relationships and support with persons and/or their families experiencing immediate crisis or life-altering illness/injury. Applies specialized knowledge of pastoral/spiritual care and/or pastoral counselling theory and practice with individuals, families, groups and volunteers in a client-centered model of care at bedside and other environments. Demonstrates spiritual and cultural competency in working with a diversity of faiths and cultures; including the demonstrated ability to work within the spiritual worldview of patients and families to assist them with contextual decision-making. Possesses an understanding of health care team model and communicates effectively with spiritual health colleagues as a supportive member of the interdisciplinary team. Seeks, engages and provides dialogue and consultation with professionals in other disciplines, volunteers and external community groups. Works within the scope of practice articulated in the Ministry of Health document-Spiritual Health - A Framework for British Columbia's Spiritual Health Professionals and adheres to the code of ethics referenced therein. Knowledge of critical incident responses and ability to facilitate crisis interventions. Ability to prepare and present educational material. Promotes a values based culture that reflects the mission and vision of the organization. Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

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