Job summary
Dougie Mac are currently looking to recruit a Community based Spiritual Pastoral and Religious Care Service (SPARCS) Practitioner for our developing Adult Hospice Wellbeing Team. The successful candidate will share our passion in providing excellent, holistic and person-centred care to our patients and carers.
At Dougie Mac our vision is to be a centre of excellence in delivering palliative and/or end of life care to people living with a life limiting progressive condition and those important to them. Our focus is on individual, needs-led care that enables the individual to live as fully as they can and is delivered through our In-patient Service, Community Teams and Wellbeing Centre and Hubs.
The successful candidate will work in a variety of community settings, to autonomously deliver person centred, Spiritual, Pastoral and Religious Care (SPARC).
Main duties of the job
To work as an integral part of the developing Wellbeing Team and wider Multidisciplinary Team (MDT), providing Spiritual Pastoral And Religious Care to hospice service users living with, or affected by, a wide range of life limiting progressive conditions. We also support our colleagues; offering care to our paid staff and volunteers. We are looking for an experienced individual with a caring and compassionate nature, excellent communication skills and the ability to build therapeutic relationships with patients, those important to them and carers (formal and informal). We are open to this being a development role, so as well as existing practitioners (accredited chaplains) we would welcome applications from individuals who have formal experience in delivering spiritual, pastoral and religious care and are who are looking to move into professional healthcare chaplaincy. Training and support will be tailored to individual need so that the post-holder can develop their knowledge, skills and confidence. If you would you like to be part of our friendly, supportive team delivering high standards of specialist care, going the extra mile to support our adult patients, their carers, and families, then we would love to hear from you.
About us
Dougie Mac is an open-culture organisation, underpinned by clear strategic aims, vision and values. By joining Dougie Mac, you will be part of a dedicated team of professionals who are committed to delivering person-led, responsive and cost effective services of the highest quality. Staff at Dougie Mac are well-motivated, with professional development pathways, and given opportunities to be reflective in their roles through supervision and reflective practice.
Dougie Mac has been named the UKs Best Charity to Work For in the 2023 quarter 3 league table compiled by independent employee engagement specialists, Best Companies.
The prestigious title was awarded by the Best Companies 2023 Accreditation which also gave Dougie Mac a three star rating the highest possible ranking meaning that the hospice is now classed as a World-Class Organisation to work for.
The Hospice offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including a contributory pension scheme, generous holiday allowance, funded study, free parking, Paycare and much more.
Please see the job description and person specification below.
Visits to the Adult Hospice can be arranged to view our facilities, meet the SPARCS Team Lead and discuss the role further.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Duties & Responsibilities:
Contribute to the provision of specialist palliative and end of life care needs for hospice service users and care givers.
Provide Spiritual, Pastoral and Religious Care for service users; both those under the care of the hospice and those working for it.
Promote and deliver service user chosen interventions which contribute to and improve wellbeing.
Undertake skilled, comprehensive assessments to develop and implement interventions.
Evaluate and adapt intervention to ensure its effectiveness.
Ensure high standards using evidence-based practice.
Take responsibility for own caseload.
Work jointly, where appropriate, with the Wellbeing Team, MDT and external agencies.
Use initiative and creativity to take a problem-solving approach to care.
Support SPARCS Team Lead in service evaluation and development.
The post holder will
Be professionally accountable and responsible for all aspects of own work.
Use time and resources effectively and efficiently
Provide intervention to service users across the hospice services (in their homes, Nursing homes and Community Hubs) as the service demands.
Contribute to the development and implementation of effective mechanisms for communicating information concerning patient care including the completion of accurate and comprehensive records on the Hospice Patient Database
Prioritise and co-ordinate your workload according to the needs of service user.
Ensure effective communication with outside agencies.
Ensure the welfare and safety of service users whilst receiving support.
Contribute to and work in line with the values and ethos of the hospice.
Contribute towards storing, ordering, and managing stock.
To assist in the planning and implementing of group work with service users
To assist in the education, development of and support for the wider hospice team (staff and volunteers).
Keep abreast of relevant developments within SPARC, palliative and cancer care and to understand the implications of these for practice.
Maintain & develop knowledge and skills to deliver a range of interventions and set an example of good practice.
Undertake & attend organisational mandatory training as required relevant to your role.
Maintain own professional development to facilitate the provision of evidence-based practice.
Work flexibly to meet the needs of the service
Maintain sensitivity at all times to the emotional needs of patients, families, carers and health care professionals offering empathy in relation to the nature of the role of the hospice.
Ensure safe practice in relation to moving & handling of people and equipment in all settings associated with hospice intervention including IPU, wellbeing unit and community.
To provide / receive regular supervision in order to support CPD of self and others.
Contribute to induction of staff, volunteers and student placements as appropriate.
Identify own training needs as part of the ongoing personal development system.
Participate in and undertake audit to ensure best practice.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Duties & Responsibilities:
Contribute to the provision of specialist palliative and end of life care needs for hospice service users and care givers.
Provide Spiritual, Pastoral and Religious Care for service users; both those under the care of the hospice and those working for it.
Promote and deliver service user chosen interventions which contribute to and improve wellbeing.
Undertake skilled, comprehensive assessments to develop and implement interventions.
Evaluate and adapt intervention to ensure its effectiveness.
Ensure high standards using evidence-based practice.
Take responsibility for own caseload.
Work jointly, where appropriate, with the Wellbeing Team, MDT and external agencies.
Use initiative and creativity to take a problem-solving approach to care.
Support SPARCS Team Lead in service evaluation and development.
The post holder will
Be professionally accountable and responsible for all aspects of own work.
Use time and resources effectively and efficiently
Provide intervention to service users across the hospice services (in their homes, Nursing homes and Community Hubs) as the service demands.
Contribute to the development and implementation of effective mechanisms for communicating information concerning patient care including the completion of accurate and comprehensive records on the Hospice Patient Database
Prioritise and co-ordinate your workload according to the needs of service user.
Ensure effective communication with outside agencies.
Ensure the welfare and safety of service users whilst receiving support.
Contribute to and work in line with the values and ethos of the hospice.
Contribute towards storing, ordering, and managing stock.
To assist in the planning and implementing of group work with service users
To assist in the education, development of and support for the wider hospice team (staff and volunteers).
Keep abreast of relevant developments within SPARC, palliative and cancer care and to understand the implications of these for practice.
Maintain & develop knowledge and skills to deliver a range of interventions and set an example of good practice.
Undertake & attend organisational mandatory training as required relevant to your role.
Maintain own professional development to facilitate the provision of evidence-based practice.
Work flexibly to meet the needs of the service
Maintain sensitivity at all times to the emotional needs of patients, families, carers and health care professionals offering empathy in relation to the nature of the role of the hospice.
Ensure safe practice in relation to moving & handling of people and equipment in all settings associated with hospice intervention including IPU, wellbeing unit and community.
To provide / receive regular supervision in order to support CPD of self and others.
Contribute to induction of staff, volunteers and student placements as appropriate.
Identify own training needs as part of the ongoing personal development system.
Participate in and undertake audit to ensure best practice.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- If a member of a faith or belief group/organization (Faith comprises religious or spiritual organization; Belief comprises non-religious/spiritual organization, eg: Humanism) then applicant must be authorised, endorsed or licenced as being of good standing within that body. (See Endorsement process of NHS Network for Pastoral, Spiritual and Religious Care in Health).
- Evidence of ongoing professional development.
Desirable
- Accredited training in spiritual, pastoral or religious care or be willing to work towards it.
- Counselling or communication skills training.
- Understanding of current issues in palliative care.
- To be registered /accredited to a recognised UK national Chaplaincy organisation which provides standards and guidance for professional Chaplains/Spiritual Care givers or be prepared to work to the competencies and professional standards of such an organisation.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of providing spiritual, pastoral or religious care in a healthcare setting.
- Experience of working with loss, dying, death and bereavement.
- Experience of collaborative working across faiths and beliefs systems.
- Experience of delivering guided relaxation or mindfulness sessions or a willingness to learn.
Desirable
- Experience of teaching and training.
- Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
- Experience of providing ritual acts or ceremonies.
- Experience of supporting colleagues through individual or group reflective practice/debrief.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Knowledge of and commitment to, working within the Five Principle of Chaplaincy (see endorsement process above).
- Knowledge of, and commitment to, the development and practice of spiritual, pastoral and religious care at end of life.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Good organizational skills with the ability to manage complex caseload efficiently and effectively.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- IT skills including Microsoft Office Suite.
- Ability to be with people in distress and to cope with this in a healthy manner.
- Approachable, encouraging and compassionate with a sense of perspective.
- Demonstrates an ongoing personal spiritual, religious or philosophical practice and can articulate their beliefs in a clear and meaningful way.
- Commitment to and comfort with, providing SPARC to people not of your faith or belief.
- Ability to reflect on practice, build resilience and use supervision effectively.
- Dress in a manner that conforms to accepted formal codes of business dress and the Hospice Infection Control policy.
Desirable
- Experience of using formal assessments.
- Experience of audit.
- Knowledge of relevant NICE guidelines.
- Knowledge of NHS Chaplaincy Guidelines.
- An understanding of team dynamics.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- If a member of a faith or belief group/organization (Faith comprises religious or spiritual organization; Belief comprises non-religious/spiritual organization, eg: Humanism) then applicant must be authorised, endorsed or licenced as being of good standing within that body. (See Endorsement process of NHS Network for Pastoral, Spiritual and Religious Care in Health).
- Evidence of ongoing professional development.
Desirable
- Accredited training in spiritual, pastoral or religious care or be willing to work towards it.
- Counselling or communication skills training.
- Understanding of current issues in palliative care.
- To be registered /accredited to a recognised UK national Chaplaincy organisation which provides standards and guidance for professional Chaplains/Spiritual Care givers or be prepared to work to the competencies and professional standards of such an organisation.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of providing spiritual, pastoral or religious care in a healthcare setting.
- Experience of working with loss, dying, death and bereavement.
- Experience of collaborative working across faiths and beliefs systems.
- Experience of delivering guided relaxation or mindfulness sessions or a willingness to learn.
Desirable
- Experience of teaching and training.
- Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
- Experience of providing ritual acts or ceremonies.
- Experience of supporting colleagues through individual or group reflective practice/debrief.
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Knowledge of and commitment to, working within the Five Principle of Chaplaincy (see endorsement process above).
- Knowledge of, and commitment to, the development and practice of spiritual, pastoral and religious care at end of life.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Good organizational skills with the ability to manage complex caseload efficiently and effectively.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- IT skills including Microsoft Office Suite.
- Ability to be with people in distress and to cope with this in a healthy manner.
- Approachable, encouraging and compassionate with a sense of perspective.
- Demonstrates an ongoing personal spiritual, religious or philosophical practice and can articulate their beliefs in a clear and meaningful way.
- Commitment to and comfort with, providing SPARC to people not of your faith or belief.
- Ability to reflect on practice, build resilience and use supervision effectively.
- Dress in a manner that conforms to accepted formal codes of business dress and the Hospice Infection Control policy.
Desirable
- Experience of using formal assessments.
- Experience of audit.
- Knowledge of relevant NICE guidelines.
- Knowledge of NHS Chaplaincy Guidelines.
- An understanding of team dynamics.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
