Job Description: ABOUT THE ROLE: Are you someone who’s passionate about supporting others through life’s challenges—mind, body, and spirit? We’re looking for a caring, compassionate, and emotionally intuitive individual to join our team as a Pastoral Care Practitioner. In this casual role, you’ll play a vital part in providing holistic care to our patients by offering emotional and spiritual support that complements their physical treatment. You’ll help us deliver what we call Total Patient Care—because we believe true healing takes more than medicine. As a casual staff member, you may be offered shifts at any of our four hospital sites: East Melbourne, Fitzroy, Kew and Werribee. Availability to work at Kew or Werribee will be highly regarded. ABOUT YOU: If you have a background in clinical or pastoral care, connect easily with people from all walks of life, and value the importance of holistic, person-centred support, then this could be the perfect role for you. Your skills and experience will include: Completion of at least two units of Clinical Pastoral Education A base level professional qualification or completion of tertiary-level studies Experience in providing pastoral care to patients and staff Strong presentation skills and a warm, calm and approachable manner Ability to connect with and support individuals from diverse backgrounds Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and fostering trust Understanding of and alignment with the Catholic ethos; if a practicing Catholic, willingness to share the Eucharist with Catholic patients Flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic healthcare environment Collaborative and inclusive working style, with a positive and proactive approach Excellent planning, time management, and interpersonal skills Comfortable working independently and as part of a team Theological education and previous hospital experience considered advantageous Strong alignment with the values and mission of St Vincent’s Health Australia, with a dedication to holistic, person-centred care WHY WORK FOR SVPHM: You will join a high performing team and a workplace with relationships built on mutual trust and respect. We value our staff and offer professional advancement in a respectful, collaborative and learning focussed environment. Join the St Vincent’s Health Australia Group, and work for a truly values based organisation, who operate across VIC, NSW and QLD Salary packaging available (pay less tax and increase your take home pay!) Gain access to discounted gym membership through Fitness Passport Option to join our workplace giving program, Give4Good A great work life balance with options to purchase additional leave Receive a staff discount on hospital admissions to any SVHA Private Hospital St Vincent's Health Australia is committed to reconciliation and encourages Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people to apply for all advertised positions. For further information, visit https://www.svha.org.au/about-us/reconciliation or get in contact at indigenouscareers@svha.org.au. REQUIREMENTS: Criminal record and/or child protection checks will be conducted and will form part of the selection criteria for this role. SVPHM has a duty of care under work health and safety legislation to eliminate and/or control the risk of transmission of vaccine preventable diseases (VPD) in healthcare settings. You are therefore required to comply with the SVHA Staff Health Screening Immunisation Policy, which, depending on the role you perform in the organisation will require you to undergo mandatory immunisations/vaccinations (including flu vaccinations). SVHA generally requires its staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Please contact us if you would like to know more. HAVE A QUESTION AND WANT TO KNOW MORE: If you would like to discuss this opportunity please contact Samantha Lo on samantha.lo@svha.org.au . Respectfully, no recruitment agencies. Please see below for a copy of the full position description. ROLE PURPOSE The Pastoral Care Practitioner is responsible for the provision of a caring and supportive spiritual and pastoral care to patients The Pastoral Care Practitioner is influential in the provision of ‘Total Patient Care’ and for raising the awareness that total patient care encompasses all facets of a person’s existence including physical, psychological / emotional, social and spiritual. ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT St Vincent's Private Hospital Melbourne (SVPHM) is a not-for-profit, private Catholic hospital caring for the community for more than 100 years. With over 500 registered beds and more than 1,800 staff across four hospitals located in Fitzroy, East Melbourne, Kew and Werribee, St Vincent's Private Hospital Melbourne is one of Melbourne’s busiest and biggest acute care hospitals. Major specialities of the hospital include orthopaedics, urology, general surgery, cardiology, obstetrics, gynaecology, reconstructive plastic surgery, ophthalmology, and rehabilitation. We also specialise in ear, nose and throat, oncology and haematology. ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES’ Key Result Areas Patient/Resident Centered Actively participate in key initiatives that contribute to improvements in person centred care. Take a partnership approach to care provision by embedding person centred care principles in all aspects of work. Ensure patients receive information in an appropriate and accessible format Actively support patients to make informed decisions about their treatment and ongoing care Ensure patients are aware of their rights responsibilities and how to provide feedback Uphold the expected standards of service excellence Position Accountabilities- Leadership and Management Manage own time Manage conflicting priorities Refer when appropriate Pastoral Services Prepare handover sheets – referring to notes from previous day Visit patients on allocated floors, providing opportunities for them to express any concerns and explore any issues that may arise Distribute Pastoral Care material where appropriate Priority is given by the Pastoral Care workers in the following order: Referrals People in crisis Terminally and critically ill patients and their families New admissions Patients who require a follow up visit Be a support for staff on allocated floors and respond to requests for support as they arise Provide ongoing support after initial contact with patients has been made If a practicing Catholic, provide Catholic Holy Communion and arrange Sacramental Ministry on request Contact Chaplains or representatives of religions when requested Record daily data Attend and participate in departmental meetings Assist in the organising of celebrations of the liturgical seasons (memorials and other liturgies as required) Prepare a letter of support and an anniversary card for next of kin of deceased patients Participate in organising the annual celebration of Pastoral Care Week Work rostered weekend shift, as required, distributing Communion to Catholic patients and attend to any urgent requests Quality and Safety Maintain clinical registration and any required indemnity cover (if applicable). Always work within approved scope of practice under supervision by more senior staff as appropriate. Take personal responsibility for the quality and safety of work undertaken. Take all necessary care and precautions when undertaking clinical procedures. Complete annual competencies and required training Maintain skills and knowledge necessary to safely and skilfully undertake work. Consult with peers and other experts and refer to other healthcare workers when appropriate and in a timely manner. Participate in clinical risk management, patient safety and continuous quality improvement activities as part of day-to- day work. All practices are consistent with the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards, EQUiP National and relevant professional practice and ethical standards and guidelines. Protect the health and safety of self and others, complying with all health and safety related policies, procedures and directions. Demonstrates awareness of cost implication of supplies, equipment etc. Participate in the development and implementation of unit based quality activities Contributes to the development of unit/ department policies, procedures and programs. Ensures the provision of a safe work environment, work practices and minimises risks to self, staff and patients. Maintains or exceeds standards of infection Control, WH&S, Clinical Risk and legislative compliance Be accountable for personal knowledge of legislative requirements, policies and procedures in the areas of Infection Control, WH&S and Clinical Risk Is accountable for ensuring all documentation is accurate and complete on every shift for duties allocated Ensures all work undertaken is within own capacity, experience and training and does not accept duties beyond own abilities Takes immediate action to rectify any unsafe situations or acts, reporting all incidents and near misses according to hospital policy and procedures Strictly follows Manual Handling Policy Human Resources Acts as a preceptor for new staff, students and trainees. Participates in annual performance appraisal and regular goal setting. Welcomes, assists and embraces new and junior staff to the unit. Demonstrates ongoing commitment to an Equal Opportunity Workplace. Takes actions to achieve personal and unit goals Adheres to and promotes the employee code of conduct Follows all hospital policies and procedures as appropriate Professional Development Accountable for personal achievement of 100% competencies as per unit and organisational needs. Liaise closely with the Pastoral Care Coordinator to implement and progress own training and development General SVHA has a duty of care under work health and safety legislation to eliminate and/or control the risk of transmission of vaccine preventable diseases (VPD) in healthcare settings. You are therefore required to comply with the SVHA Staff Health Screening Immunisation Policy, which, depending on the role you perform in the organisation will require you to undergo mandatory immunisations/vaccinations (including flu vaccinations). Perform duties of the position to best of their ability and to a standard acceptable to SVHA. Comply with all SVHA policies, procedures, by laws and directions. Treat others with respect and always behave professionally and in accordance with the SVHA Code of Conduct. Only access confidential information held by SVHA when this is necessary for business purposes, maintaining the confidentiality of that information once accessed. Participate in the annual SVHA performance review process. Display adaptability and flexibility to meet the changing operational needs of the business. Display a willingness to develop self and seek to improve performance. Complete other duties as requested SELECTION CRITERIA Qualifications Minimum 2 units of Clinical Pastoral Education A base level professional qualification or completion of studies at a tertiary level. Experience in the pastoral care of patients and staff. Practical/Specialist Skills Effective presentation skills and a warm, outgoing personality. Ability to empathise with and relate to people from all walks of life. A thorough understanding of and willingness to commit to the Catholic ethos. If a practicing Catholic, a willingness to share the Catholic Eucharist at the bedside with Catholic patients. An understanding of the need for, and commitment to, complete confidentiality. Desirable Skills and Experience - Personal Attributes Theological Education Previous experience in a Hospital environment Adaptable and flexible. A collaborative and inclusive working style A positive work ethic Strong relationship and interpersonal skills Excellent planning and time management skills Able to work autonomously and as part of a team Willing to uphold the core values of St Vincent’s Health Australia Closing Date: 22 June 2025 11:59pm Reconciliation Action Plan: At St Vincent's we acknowledge the importance of creating a work environment that is welcoming, safe, equitable and inclusive for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Employees. As part of our Commitment to Reconciliation and Closing the Gap in employment related outcomes, we encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. For further information, visit https ://www.svha.org.au/about-us/reconciliation or get in contact at indigenouscareers@svha.org.au View Reconciliation Action Plan Code of Conduct: View Code of Conduct
