Pastoral Practitioner

Your role at St John of God Murdoch Hospital

We are currently seeking applications from suitably qualified and dedicated Pastoral Practitioners to join our Pastoral Services team in the delivery of pastoral ministry for the spiritual well-being of patients, families and caregivers.

As a Pastoral Practitioner, you will work as an integral member of the multidisciplinary team for the provision of holistic pastoral services to patients and clients and is responsible for the provision of emotional and spiritual support, theological reflection, ritual facilitation, faith/belief integration, establishing pastoral therapeutic relationships, trauma and grief counselling and emotional intelligence.

This position will be offered on a permanent part-time basis, working 22.5 to 30 hours per week.

The Position

• Identify and respond to the spiritual needs of patients/clients and families which facilitates spiritual maturity, theological reflection and emotional intelligence.

• Employ active listening skills to respond compassionately to patient’s needs.

• Establish appropriate professional boundaries according to scope of practice.

• Maintain intentional personal reflective practice.

• Participate in and facilitate team reflective practice.

• Promote and engage in orientation and induction of new team members.

• Comply with organisational and regulatory requirements requiring privacy and confidentiality, and storage of confidential information.

• Integrate quality and risk principles into spiritual care practice.

• Advocate for patients and families where stated priorities and best interests are not being recognised.

• Work independently in routine cases of spiritual assessment, care plans and related interventions.

• Lead prayer, worship, reflection and rituals and contribute to review and development of current practice.

• Provide bereavement support, as per hospital/service protocol and best practice.

You will have completed or be working towards a tertiary level qualification/studies in a relevant field (such as Social Work, Counselling, Pastoral, Nursing), and/or will have prior experience in the provision of pastoral care in a relevant setting. This will include a SJGHC pastoral internship program and/or a supervised pastoral field placement and professional development courses relevant to pastoral practice, meeting these criteria is essential.

To succeed you will have demonstrated capability and competence in the establishment of therapeutic pastoral relationships with patients and clients from a variety of faith, cultural and social backgrounds. You will have strong interpersonal and communication skills with demonstrated capacity in delivering ritual, liturgy, prayer or reflection that respects others cultural and religious beliefs. You will have the ability to contribute positively to a multidisciplinary team within the professional boundaries of the role.

Flexibility with working hours including the ability and preparedness to undertake evening/weekend shift/on call duties as required.

Above all, people care will be at the core of everything you do committing to and supporting our Mission and Values.

We can offer you

• Competitive Salary

• A permanent part-time position, working 22.5 to 30 hours across the week with on-call responsibilities.

• Salary packaging up to $18,550 on a range of benefits such as mortgage, rent, meal entertainment, holiday accommodation or other everyday living expenses as well as options to salary package benefits above the FBT cap on items such as:

  • Novated leasing 

  • work related expenses

  • self-education and

  • additional superannuation

• A healthy work-life balance through flexible work options, additional purchased leave & well-being programs

• Employee discount on St John of God Hospital & Medical Services and Private Health Insurance

• Employee support through our dedicated free Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Innovative Professional Development opportunities

• Travel Green allowance.  If you walk, carpool or use public transport you could be eligible for up to $1,500 per year

All applicants are asked to submit a covering letter (of no more than two (2) pages) demonstrating how you meet the above position requirements

For enquiries and to obtain a copy of the position description, please contact May Lee, Manager Pastoral Services, on (08) 9438 9673.

If suitable applicants are identified advertisement may close prior to listed date and screening/interviews may commence throughout the advertising process.

At St John of God Health Care, we celebrate diversity and warmly welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.

Our commitment is to create a safe and nurturing environment for all children and vulnerable individuals in our care and proactively take steps to protect them from abuse, ensuring their safety and well-being.

Our inclusive culture fosters an environment that is respectful and secure, welcoming and accessible, and unified through our diverse community.