Job Description

Position Overview
The Department of Clinical Neurosciences in the Cumming School of Medicine invites applications for Research Associate (Spiritual Health Practitioner). This Fixed Term Recurring Part-time position is for approximately 6 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.
Reporting to the Principal Investigator.
Following established procedures, the Spiritual Health Practitioner will be part of the project implementation. In addition, the Research Associate (Spiritual Health Practitioner) will be involved in the evaluations of participants (including patients with Parkinson\'s disease and related disorders in advanced stages and their care partners) and in telephone interviews.
The project related to this position aims to create the Calgary Movement disorders Palliative Care program to guarantee access to this type of care to all Albertans and to expand the understanding of PC interventions in people with parkinsonism by a rigorous monitoring and evaluation process and cost-effectiveness analysis.
Training will be provided in the field of neurodegenerative disorders and other aspects of the job.
This is a recurring part-time position. Recurring Part-time employees are hourly employees engaged to perform work on an irregular schedule.
Position Description
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
The team will be completed by a neurologist, a palliative care nurse, a psychologist, and a social worker. The role will work collaboratively with the team to determine intervention plans
Provides direct and indirect patient care including spiritual needs assessment, intervention, education, advocacy, resource finding, and consultation throughout the patient care process as required
Supports patients in working through changes in their health and functional status, for example, their loss of independence, grief, meaning, forgiveness, trust, and other significant components of human existence and experience
Acts as an advocate to support staff understanding of the spiritual and cultural needs of patients/family members
Refers, as needed, to religious community visitors with patient/family consent, and responds to referrals from religious community visitors
Provides grief support for patients and families
Contributes to collaborative interprofessional practice, including participation in patient care conferences and contributing to the development of the plan of care as appropriate
Participates in Advanced Caring Planning/Goals of Care Designation
Supports patient/family in ethical decision making (e.g. end-of-life)
Supports team with information to support ethical decision making, and provides ethic consults dependent upon appropriate training
Ensures appropriate resources are available to assist staff in meeting patient/family spiritual health needs
Qualifications / Requirements:

• Post-secondary education/degree in theology, seminary or related field required
• 3-5 years of related counselling/ministry experience
• Excellent time management, accuracy and attention to detail
• Experience with working with the public is a strong asset
• Knowledge of health and scientific terminology is a strong asset
• Health services research experience is a strong asset
• Ability to work as a member of a team, staff, and research team members
• Strong communication skills
• Approachable. Able to motivate/enable others
• Fluency in English required

Application Deadline: March 28, 2024
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
Additional Information
This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Specialist/Advisor Job Family, Phase 2.
For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our .
About the University of Calgary
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