Clergy Care Coordinator

Catholic; Bathurst; Hybrid; AUD 28,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

The Catholic Diocese of Bathurst is seeking a Clergy Care Coordinator to support retired priests across the Diocese, helping them age in place with access to health, pastoral and practical supports. This part-time role (0.4 FTE) provides person-centred care coordination and advocacy, ensuring priests receive appropriate services while maintaining independence and dignity.

Reporting to the Diocesan Financial Administrator, the role emphasises collaboration with Catholic HealthCare Community

Qualifications

• Experience coordinating services across multiple stakeholders.
• Knowledge of Australian aged care funding models and assessment processes.
• Strong advocacy and ability to navigate complex systems.
• Excellent organisational and record-keeping skills.

Responsibilities

• Support clergy to remain independent and age in place.
• Develop Clergy Care Plans using person-centred approach.
• Coordinate access to aged care services and assess needs.
• Advocate for clergy in navigating aged care systems.
• Maintain clergy health records and report to leadership.

Skills

Aged care system knowledge

Aging in place principles

Person-centred planning

Relationship building with clergy

Multi-stakeholder coordination

Advocacy skills

Organisational/record-keeping

MS Office/IT skills

Independent, initiative & discretion

NSW Driver’s Licence

NSW Working with Children Check

Criminal record check compliance

Job description

Job Description

Permanent Part-Time position 0.4 FTE
Immediate start available by negotiation

The Catholic Diocese of Bathurst is seeking a compassionate, organised and proactive Clergy Care Coordinator to support the wellbeing of our retired clergy across the Diocese. This unique and meaningful role ensures that our priests are supported to age in place wherever possible, with access to appropriate health, pastoral and practical supports.

This is an opportunity to contribute to the Church’s mission by providing person-centred care coordination and advocacy for those who have faithfully served our Diocese.

About the role

The Clergy Care Coordinator supports retired priests to maintain independence, dignity and quality of life as they age. Working closely with the Diocesan Financial Administrator, Vicar for Clergy and Catholic HealthCare Community Services NSW, the Coordinator facilitates access to aged care services, advocates for clergy needs, and proactively manages care planning and support arrangements.

Your key responsibilities will include:

Aging in Place & Care Planning

• Support retired priests to remain living independently for as long as possible
• Develop and review individual Clergy Care Plans using a person-centred approach
• Assist with MyGov access, retirement planning, living arrangements, and major life transitions
• Provide practical assistance during illness, housing transitions and end-of-life arrangements

Support Service Access & Coordination

• Identify health and support needs of retired clergy
• Coordinate assessments including ACAT and Regional Assessment Services
• Facilitate access to Commonwealth Home Support Services (CHSP), Home Care Packages (HCP), Residential Respite, Transition Care and Residential Aged Care
• Liaise with Catholic HealthCare Community Services NSW and other providers
• Monitor and proactively adjust care levels as needs change
• Advocate on behalf of retired priests in navigating aged care systems
• Assist clergy to understand their rights under the Charter of Aged Care Rights
• Support engagement of family members and trusted representatives where appropriate
• Provide guidance regarding guardianship, financial management and enduring powers of attorney where required

Pastoral Support

• Encourage and facilitate continued participation in parish and diocesan life
• Liaise with parish priests to ensure retired clergy remain connected and supported

Administration & Governance

• Maintain accurate clergy health and wellbeing records and database information
• Maintain medical insurance records for active and retired clergy
• Provide regular briefings to Diocesan leadership
• Manage emergency and critical incidents relating to clergy health

A copy of theposition descriptioncan be requested by contacting HR .

About you (Selection Criteria)

We are looking for someone able to align with the following selection criteria:

• A strong commitment to the values and teachings of the Catholic Church
• Knowledge of the Australian aged care system, funding models and assessment processes
• Understanding of Aging in Place principles and Person-Centred Planning
• Ability to build respectful, empathetic relationships with clergy
• Experience coordinating services across multiple stakeholders
• Strong advocacy skills and ability to navigate complex systems
• Excellent organisational and record-keeping skills
• High level proficiency in Microsoft Office and contemporary computer systems
• Ability to work independently with initiative and discretion
• Current NSW Driver’s Licence
• Valid NSW Working with Children Check and satisfactory Criminal Record Check

What we offer

• Meaningful work that supports Catholic mission and community
• A collaborative and values-driven team environment

About Us

The Catholic Diocese of Bathurst was established in 1865, and covers an area of 103,680 sq km. It has 17 parishes with the northernmost being Coonamble, the southernmost Cowra, the most easterly being Lithgow and the most western being Eugowra. There are thirty-three Catholic primary and secondary schools across the Diocese, and Centacare Bathurst provides professional social services across the Diocese.

Bishop Michael McKenna was ordained and installed as the Eighth Bishop of Bathurst on 26th June 2009, and leads the Diocese according to his motto, Legato Con Amore (Bound with love).

Further details of this position can be obtained by contactingPatrick Cooper,Diocesan Financial Administratoron [phone] .

The Catholic Diocese of Bathurst is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable persons through robust safeguarding measures and practices. The Diocese complies with the NSW Child Safe Standards and the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards taking a zero-tolerance approach to abuse of children or vulnerable persons. All who are employed by the Diocese must comply with the Diocesan Code of Conduct and Diocesan Safeguarding measures which include:

• Screening and selection processes for new personnel
• Ongoing training and education for staff and volunteers
• Regular audits and reviews of safeguarding practices

Screening for Employees

• All new employees would be required to undergo a National Criminal History Check prior to commencing employment.
• For child related roles, successful applicants are required to retain a valid NSW Working with Children Check in accordance with legislation.

Screening of Volunteers

The need for National Criminal History Checks will depend on the nature of their ministry and their level of responsibility or contact with vulnerable people. These volunteer roles may include:

• Those involved in ministry to aged care facilities (noting this may sometimes be arranged by the facility)
• Those bringing Holy Communion to the sick or housebound
• Those involved in regular ministry with vulnerable adults
• Members of Finance Councils, given their oversight and governance responsibilities

Volunteers in child-related roles must hold a valid WWCC in line with NSW legislation. In some situations, a National Criminal History Check may also be appropriate based on the nature of the role.

Catholic Diocese of Bathurst is an equal opportunity employer.

The Catholic Diocese of Bathurst acknowledges the Wiradjuri, Gamilaraay and Wailwan peoples, the Traditional Owners who have walked upon and cared for this land for thousands of years. We acknowledge the continued deep spiritual attachment and relationship of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to this country and commit ourselves to the ongoing journey of reconciliation.

Catholic Diocese of Bathurst

Chancery Office

118 Keppel Street

Bathurst NSW 2795