Spiritual Health Practitioner

Position Summary
Interior Health is hiring a permanent full-time Spiritual Health Practitioner who is passionate about making a difference in healthcare.

Location: This position is located at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, B.C.

What we offer:
• An attractive remuneration package
• Excellent career prospects
• Employer paid training/education
• Employer paid vacation
• Medical Service Plan
• Employer paid insurance premiums
• Extended Health & Dental coverage
• Work-life balance
• May be eligible to contribute to MPP

Salary range for the position is $74,618 to $107,264. Interior Health establishes salaries within the minimum and maximum of the salary range based on consideration of the qualifications, experience of the applicant, and an internal equity review of the salaries of other employees.

Come join our team and see why we’re one of Canada’s Top 100 Employer! Explore our extensive benefits, career growth opportunities, and lifestyle in one of the most beautiful and diverse regions of Canada. Ready to love where you live and work? Join our team today!

How will you create an impact:
The Spiritual Health Practitioner (SHP) provides therapeutic interventions across the continuum of care to individuals, their families and friends, staff, physicians, and volunteers to support and increase their ability to better manage their needs based on their individual strengths, values, beliefs, and culture. The SHP is responsible for the implementation and coordination of spiritual health services; and facilitates the recruitment, training, and clinical support provided to Spiritual Health on-call resources, volunteers, and visitors.

In alignment with IH’s Occupational Health & Safety Program, employees shall adhere to all Occupational Health and Safety policies and procedures at all times and attend all required training. Employees are responsible to report any identified hazards, unsafe conditions or incidents to the manager or supervisor immediately.

Scope of the role:
Persons do not enter into a facility or come under the care of the health system because of a spiritual diagnosis. The SHP does not, therefore, directly treat any diagnosed illness. Instead, the SHP provides assessment and care for the spiritual dimension of persons in a manner that supports physical and mental health and reduces human suffering.

What will you work on:
• Provides comprehensive spiritual health and emotional support services to individuals, their families and friends, staff, physicians, and volunteers in a manner that is appropriate according to their expressed wishes or belief systems and respectful of religious and cultural diversity.

• Contributes to formal/informal consultation to staff, physicians, and volunteers on spiritual health matters and acts as a liaison during crisis intervention.

• Liaises with spiritual, religious, and cultural groups in the community to facilitate provision of religious rites, rituals, and services for clients requiring faith specific support.

• Coordinates activities such as religious services, visits to patients, counseling, and support for families.

• Leads the recruitment, coordination, and supervision of spiritual health volunteers and visitors from various spiritual, religious, and cultural groups.

• Leads in orientation and facilitation of staff, physicians, volunteers, and community faith representatives.

• Participates in the care delivery, as required, as a member of the inter-disciplinary team. Documents clinical assessments, interventions, and referrals in a way that is understood by members of the inter-disciplinary team.

• Represents Spiritual Health Services at internal and external meetings or committees as assigned.

• Maintains an appropriate chapel and/or sacred space and monitors the distribution of spiritual and religious materials at the hospital.

• Participates in the development of effective policies, procedures, and standards for spiritual care. Under direction from the Health Service Administrator, implements changes toward improving the delivery of the program.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Interior Health strives to create an environment where you enjoy the work you do, the place where you work, and the people around you. Together, we create great workplaces. Apply today!

Honouring Interior Health’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), and Pursuant to Section 42 of the BC Human Rights Code, preferential consideration and/or hiring will be given to qualified applicants who self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit).

Qualfications
Education, Training and Experience
• A minimum of a two-year graduate/master’s degree in theology or a related field such as religious studies, spirituality, pastoral studies, etc., from an educational institution accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, or the Council of Higher Education Accreditation
• One advanced unit of Clinical Pastoral Education
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Skills and Abilities
Spiritual Health Core Competencies
The CASC developed a Competency Profile for Spiritual Care and Counseling Specialists1 which was approved by its Board in 2011. This competency profile is regarded as relevant to BC and the working group has reviewed the competencies and identified those considered as core for SHPs.

1. Spiritual Assessment and Care: Spiritual Assessment and Care are distinct but inter-related activities. Spiritual Assessment is an extensive, in-depth, ongoing process of actively listening to and summarizing a client’s story, spiritual strengths, needs, hopes and coping strategies as they emerge over time. Spiritual care is the professional relationship established with a client that provides a framework for ongoing assessment and inter-professional interventions that help meet the wellness needs and goals of the client which includes:
• Relational Approach
• Assessment
• Planning
• Intervention
2. Self-awareness: Assesses the impact of one’s own spirituality, beliefs, values, assumptions and power dynamics in relationships with clients.
3. Spiritual and Personal Development: Continues to develop and maintain personal and professional growth, awareness and self-understanding, and makes oneself appropriately accountable.
4. Multi-Dimensional Communication: Employs communication strategies that include active and attentive listening, awareness of the non-verbal, appropriateness and relevant content.
5. Documentation and Charting: Documents clinical assessments, interventions and referrals in a way that is understood by members of the inter-professional team. Keeps records and statistics in a timely manner, demonstrates clarity, skill and appropriate confidentiality in all paper/electronic correspondence.
6. Brokering Diversity: Understands, values, promotes diversity and inclusion, and advocates for equitable care. Provides care that takes into account culture, bias, and the specific needs of clients.
7. Ethical Behavior: Is congruent with the values of the CASC Code of Ethics reflecting justice, compassion and healing for all.
8. Collaboration and Partnerships: Is accountable to the public, faith communities, employers and professionals in all professional relationships.
9. Leadership: Exhibits leadership that provides advocacy and support as an integral team member.
10. Research (applicable only for positions responsible with a research function): Sees research as integral to professional functioning and in keeping with one’s area of expertise.