Spiritual Health Practitioner

Position Overview

Spirituality is a core dimension of our personhood. It is foundational in providing a framework for understanding human experience, including the health care journey. Spiritual health care practitioners are specially trained to be fluent in the language of suffering and vulnerability, death and dying, and of hope, compassion and resilience. Spiritual health care practitioners are skilled in assessing the key role of spirituality, cultural and religious practices in wellness, human coping, resilience and recovery.

The qualifications for a spiritual health practitioner include the following: 

The incumbent is responsible for upholding dignity in person-centred care by seeking out, assessing and responding to the unique spiritual and religious needs of patients, families and staff in an open, compassionate and culturally safe manner; working as a member of the interprofessional health care team. 

Demonstrates strengths as outlined in the Core Competencies for Spiritual Health Care Practitioners created by Manitoba’s Spiritual Health Care Partners (September 2017)

• Spiritual Health Assessments and Interventions
• Communication
• Collaboration and Partnerships
• Inclusivity, Diversity and Cultural Safety
• Personal, Spiritual and Professional Development
• Leadership
• Ethical Behaviour and Practice
• Research

Experience

• Previous experience in a related field an asset.
• Experience working in an inter-spiritual, multifaith and culturally diverse environment an asset.

Education (Degree/Diploma/Certificate)

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field from an accredited Canadian university or the approved equivalent, if internationally educated, is required. Course work must include psychology; sociology; philosophy/ethics; spirituality/religious studies; counseling; grief and loss; mental health & addictions and cultural safety. Master’s Degree related to spirituality and health is preferred.
• Supervised clinical experience in a healthcare environment (at least 2 units of CPE is required, Advanced CPE preferred). May consider a combination or accreditation of equivalent courses (spiritual diversity, spiritual direction, counseling, etc.).
• In the case of faith-based facilities, there may also be a requirement that religious and spiritual education and practice is consistent with their mission, vision and values, i.e. preference may be given to a candidate who is a graduate of affiliated faith-based university or seminary having achieved a Master’s of Divinity or Theology.
• Additional training in: Manitoba Indigenous Cultural Safety, WRHA Health Ethics-Equity, Dignity Therapy, Advance Care Planning, Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) conversations and palliative care an asset.
• Completes mandated education according to WRHA policy.

Certification/Licensure/Registration

• Active member of a professional organization with a Code of Ethics.
• Maintains professional competence through a planned program of continuing education as specified by the professional association.
• This position is subject to a Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Search, Child Abuse Registry Check and an Adult Abuse Registry Check. Candidate is responsible for any service charges incurred.
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Training requirements for this position shall be in accordance with the WRHA policy.
• At sites where staff is required to do on-call, staff must possess a valid driver’s licence and have access to a reliable motor vehicle.

Qualifications and Skills

• Strong and demonstrated skills in active listening, compassionate presence, cultural safety, grief work, end of life conversations, crisis care, counseling and organizational spiritual leadership. 
• Demonstrated knowledge, respect and ability to champion mission, vision & values of the organization.

Physical Requirements

• Good physical, mental and spiritual health to meet the demands of the job.
• Must be capable of walking/or navigating the full extent of the site.