This statement is issued pursuant to the provisions of the Employment Relations Act 2001.
Term
Since 1972 under contract to the NZ Government, the Interchurch Council for Hospital Chaplaincy Trust Board (ICHC) has provided on behalf of the New Zealand Churches, a Chaplaincy Service in the public sector hospitals. Currently the ICHC has a five year contract with the Ministry of Health to provide Hospital Chaplaincy Services until 30 June 2013.
Funding
This position is primarily funded by contributions from the Wellington Presbytery, Presbyterian Support Central, the Methodist District Synod and the Capital and Coast DHB together with subsidy from the Ministry of Health under its contract with the ICHC. The Service Agreement with the appointee will contain a clause that if it has to be discontinued because of lack of funding, or the curtailment of the Government's contract with the ICHC, the funders will ensure that the chaplain will be given 3 months notice or payment in lieu thereof.
Appointment
The successful appointee will need to be a Minister of Religion in "Good Standing" and appropriately licensed or authorised to offer Christian ministry by her or his denomination in New Zealand. They will also need to have completed the full set of Clinical Pastoral Education Courses with NZACPE and be a CPE Trainer or on the journey toward becoming a CPE Trainer. The appointee if not a current Healthcare Chaplain will be required to complete a NZ Police clearance procedure organised through the ICHC.
Rights of Patients
ICHC and its Chaplains are required to comply with a number of pieces of Government legislation and the protocols set by the District Health Board covering the treatment of patients in the hospitals and services in which the chaplain works. These include:
The Health and Disabilities (Safety) Act 2001, the Health and Disability Commissioners Act 1994 and the Privacy Act among others.
Chaplains as “Health Agents” will be required to become familiar with these documents and the procedures and Codes of Conduct that protect the rights of patients; respect their person, privacy and culture and assure them of freedom from discrimination, coercion and harassment while also ensuring they receive informed, professional and ethical treatment of their choice, at all times. This includes whether or not they wish to see a chaplain.
ICHC cannot support or continue the appointment in any hospital or health unit, of a chaplain who proves to be unacceptable to the management of a hospital or healthcare facility to which she or he has been appointed by ICHC.
Administrative and Accountability Requirements
The Ministry of Health requires that all Chaplains maintain statistical records of their visits to patients. These statistics have to be sent by the 10th of each month to the Administrator at ICHC, for inclusion in the regular reports ICHC has to submit to the District Health Board and the Ministry of Health about the work of the Chaplaincy Service in each hospital.
Other conditions
Overseas applicants will not be considered. Relocation assistance cannot be provided. August 2010.