MERCY HEALTH

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POSITION DESCRIPTION

Pastoral Care Associate
Core Mercy Values: / Compassion, Hospitality, Respect, Innovation, Stewardship, Teamwork
Position title: / Pastoral Care Associate / Employee name:
Entity/Group:
Business Unit/Department: / Mercy Place
Mercy Health – Aged Care / Date:
Position reports to: / Manager Pastoral Services, Service Manager / Positions reporting to this one: / ·  Visiting Clergy, Local Pastoral Visitors
·  Eucharistic Ministers
Position Purpose: / To coordinate the provision of a high profile, integral Pastoral Care Services.
Qualifications: / ESSENTIAL:
·  Pastoral and/or Theological training and/or experience.
·  Commitment to ongoing learning.
Resource Management: / Total staff management (FTE):
Annual Operating Expenditure:
Annual Capital Expenditure: / N/A
Mandatory Organisational Competencies required / Personal Competencies required /

Job Competencies Required

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·  Orientation / ·  Consistently shows respect and compassion to all / ·  Adhere to the philosophy, policies, procedures and protocols of Mercy Health and requirements within Pastoral practice.
·  Diversity & Equity / ·  Practices with a high level of integrity and professionalism / ·  Understanding of and commitment to customer focused service.
·  Emergency Procedures / ·  Excellent interpersonal and effective communication skills / ·  Demonstrated ability to effectively liaise with the multidisciplinary team and provide optimal resident care whilst incorporating the family in all aspects of care.
·  Work Health & Safety / ·  Demonstrated leadership qualities / ·  Previous experience in aged care healthcare chaplaincy or pastoral ministry
·  Infection Control / ·  Active faith commitment and Demonstrated Pastoral Ability. / ·  Demonstrated counseling skills.
·  Complaints Management / ·  Supportive of Catholic Ethos / ·  Sound knowledge of Catholic beliefs and practices.
·  Elder Abuse / ·  Consistently demonstrates a high level of empathy and emotional support to all customers. / ·  Ability to take on all administrative tasks in relation to Pastoral Care.
·  Sound knowledge of self in relation to medical and grief issues. / ·  Ability to work in a multicultural and multi faith setting and respect cultural and religious differences.
Key Result Areas / Key Activities / Standard Measures /

MERCY VALUES

Responsible for upholding the Values and Mission of Mercy Health / ·  Ensures the values of Mercy Health are incorporated into daily practices in relation to all Pastoral Care activities by -
o  being compassionate and providing support to staff and customers.
o  consistently showing respect and valuing each person’s dignity.
o  seeking opportunities for innovation and improvement. / ·  Acts professionally at all times and in a manner which exemplifies the values.
LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
Responsible for managerial behaviours to ensure excellence in co-ordination of Pastoral Care service. / ·  Supports and leads staff within the facilities in relation to providing emotional support.
·  Liaises effectively with representatives of all faiths represented within the resident profiles and coordinate pastoral visitors including local visiting clergy.
·  Is prepared to undertake supervision of Pastoral practice.
·  Adheres to accreditation processes.
·  Promotes, identifies and facilitates continual improvement within Pastoral Care unit.
·  Conducts reviews of pastoral care activities. / ·  Is accountable for a high standard of care which is tailored to the pastoral needs of the range of residents in the facility.
·  Maintains appropriate level of pastoral contact with all residents.
PASTORAL CARE
Provides support in times of need for residents, families and staff. / ·  Undertakes Pastoral care assessment of residents and tailors pastoral interventions accordingly.
·  Involves patients, family and/ significant others in the plan and implementation of pastoral needs and facilitates support of residents and families in all emotional and spiritual needs.
·  Provide opportunities for worship and appropriate rituals for the facility.
·  Ensures relevant religious feasts and practices are observed and celebrated within the facility
·  Adheres to Mercy Health Pastoral Policies and Procedures and Standards.
·  Manages and addresses customer complaints/feedback.
·  Acts as a customer advocate. / ·  Identifies and responds to the spiritual, faith and emotional needs of residents and relatives and is supportive to staff by provision of a comprehensive pastoral service which comprises:
o  individual and group pastoral care opportunities;
o  regular pastoral ministry in the low and high level care and on a needs basis to independent residents.
o  visiting of new residents within two weeks of their arrival
COMMUNICATION
Ensures effective lines of communication are maintained both for internal and external customers. / ·  Effective and appropriate patterns of communication are maintained.
·  Documentation meets all ethical and legal requirements and in accordance with regulatory requirements.
·  Upholds confidentiality of all customers’ interactions including all information is maintained should it be verbal, written or electronic and utilizes appropriate channels of communication when dealing with patient and staff issues.
·  Facilities appropriate networking with other pastoral care providers particularly within the Mercy Health Aged Care Team.
·  Ensure staff have adequate access to pastoral activities and services.
·  Submits reports as required.
·  Actively promotes a harmonious working environment .
·  Provides information to residents and families regarding pastoral services. / ·  Ensures all documents provide an accurate and objective account of the resident’s care.
·  Liaises effectively with facility staff and external and internal stakeholders.
SAFE ENVIRONMENTManages a safe working environment. Takes reasonable care to protect the health and safety of themselves, fellow staff and others in the workplace. / ·  Maintains practice within framework established by policies, procedures and protocols of Mercy Health, including OH&S.
·  Reports hazards, near misses and injuries immediately Complete incident reports
·  Comply with risk management policies and procedures and instruction
·  Contribute to risk assessments
·  Participates in training and meetings regarding safety. / ·  Anticipates and instigates changes required to ensure safe practices are maintained within department and organisation.
·  Continually updates and maintains knowledge of all emergency procedures and participates in disaster planning exercises.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENTEnsure all staff are aware of services offered by Pastoral Care and actively manage all issues for patients, family and staff throughout the facility. / ·  Demonstrates a commitment to promoting education activities in relation to pastoral care activities.
·  Ensure and support regular attendance and participation in in-service education.
·  Attend ongoing education.
·  Carry out ongoing education in pastoral services with staff.
·  Carry out ongoing awareness for residents and families to gain support.
·  Conducts Pastoral Education of staff as required.
·  Participates in the annual performance review and development process. / ·  Evidence of ongoing education and professional development.
·  Contributes to pastoral education of staff increasing their knowledge of formal pastoral care, appreciation of the integral nature of pastoral care in Mercy Health and the pastoral nature of everyone’s role.
Employee’s Signature: / Date:
Print Name: