About Us

A Catholic not-for-profit ministry of Mercy Partners, Mater is guided by the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy who first established Mater in 1906 when they built the first Mater Private Hospital. This was the start of a tradition of care and compassion for the sick and needy that continues to inspire us today.

Mater Private Hospital Bundaberg has provided excellence in clinical and pastoral care to the people of Bundaberg and its surrounds since 1946.

Located within the medical precinct on Bourbong Street, our hospital is a 59-bed facility featuring four operating theatres, a fully equipped day surgery unit, and a wide range of specialist clinical services.

About the role

The Pastoral Care Practitioner will contribute to the provision of high-quality pastoral care for patients and their families. Furthermore, the Pastoral Care Practitioner supports the Mission Integration Manager and/or Pastoral Care Coordinator, visiting clergy and staff to ensure that the spiritual and emotional needs of patients and their families are met.

This is a casual position.

Pay rate: $32.23 - $33.66 per hour (Operational Level3) + 23% casual loading + Super + salary packing of up to $16900 per annum.

What you’ll be doing

• Make available religious or spiritual comfort and support to patients, whilst respecting, individual beliefs and practices.
• Support the Hospital Mission Integration Manager in embedding the Mater Mission and Values, and those of the Sisters of Mercy, by assisting and/or participating in events, ceremonies and rituals as required.
• Communicating to patients and families information about the Pastoral Care services  available and providing emotional, religious or spiritual comfort and support based on a Catholic/Christian perspective that is respectful of individual beliefs and other religious or spiritual practices.
• Assisting with arrangements that support the adequate provision of Pastoral Care services in a facility that operates continuously over seven days a week.
• Supporting the Hospital Mission Integration Manager in embedding and maintaining the Mater Mission and Values and the Mercy Charism and contributing to and/or participating in events, ceremonies and rituals that support the Spiritual, Pastoral and Community life of the Hospital.
• Collaborating with staff in all areas of the Hospital to ensure the provision of holistic care of patients and, whilst respecting privacy, communicating to clinical staff acquired information regarding a patient’s physical discomfort and/or care.

About you

You will have or be progressing towards a Clinical Pastoral Education qualification and/or studies in theology/religious education or counselling/psychology. You will also ideally have:

• Previous chaplaincy/pastoral care experience in a healthcare environment
• Competent digital information and technology literacy
• The ability to build rapport, trust, empathy and strong relationships
• The ability to work autonomously and in a team environment
• A respect and sensitivity to persons of various religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, life philosophies and faith traditions

Why join us?

Mater is Queensland’s largest and most innovative not-for-profit healthcare service, providing care for almost 700,000 patients a year across a network of 11 hospitals.

We are a leader in healthcare, education and research — and that’s because we employ exceptional people. #MAKEYOURMATERMOVE. You will be able to

• Via salary packaging arrangements, allocate some living expenses directly from your pre-taxable income and ultimately increase your take-home pay
• Access package meal and entertainment expenses via salary packaging
• Access leading education and professional development via Mater Education
• Access our Employee Assistance Program and on-site pastoral support

Please note, application close on the 3rd of May. We may contact applicants prior to the closing date so please don't hesitate to apply now!