Job Summary
The post holder will be responsible for the continuing development of a high standard of religious, pastoral and spiritual care for patients, their relatives, staff and visitors in the OUH NHS Foundation Trust, regardless of faith or cultural traditions.
The post holder will work with colleagues and the Lead Chaplain in the provision of chaplaincy services across the Trust. The postholder may be required to work at any of the 4 hospital sites plus the 2 hospices within the trust. The duties and responsibilities of the post holder require a commitment to an on-call rota (on a pro-rata basis) and to ensure continuity of service during periods of leave.
We actively welcome applications from all faith and belief groups.
The Chaplaincy Team are made up of different denominations and faith communities. We are deeply committed to the spiritual and pastoral wellbeing of one another and those who access the hospitals and hospices as well as those who work across the Trust. We laugh and cry together.
Main duties of the job
- To be responsible to the Lead Chaplain for the day to day provision and development of pastoral, religious and spiritual care for patients, staff, visitors and to confidentially record their activities as part of the chaplaincy data system.
- To work collaboratively with other members of the chaplaincy team, attending regular team meetings and play a full part in the development of the chaplaincy service across the Trust.
- Administer appropriate rites and ceremonies that are congruent with the practices of patients and those who are important to them and consistent with the post-holders’ authorising faith community or belief group.
- To ensure appropriate sacramental and pastoral support for dying patients and their families and to respond, when requested, to the needs of the recently bereaved.
- To participate fully in the 24 hour chaplaincy on-call service. It is expected that the chaplaincy work will be of irregular hours, so that flexibility of working hours and practice is required.
- To provide staff support following complex and demanding clinical situations.
- To work collaboratively with key allied professionals to develop learning and working practise together.
- To have a commitment to one’s own professional and spiritual growth and development.
Job description
Job responsibilities
JOB SUMMARY:
The post holder will be responsible for the continuing development of a high standard of religious, pastoral and spiritual care for patients, their relatives, staff and visitors in the OUH NHS Foundation Trust, regardless of faith or cultural traditions.
The post holder will work with colleagues and the Lead Chaplain in the provision of chaplaincy services across the Trust. The postholder may be required to work at any of the 4 hospital sites plus the 2 hospices within the trust. The duties and responsibilities of the post holder require a commitment to an on-call rota (typically on a 1:5 basis) and to ensure continuity of service during periods of leave.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- To be responsible to the Lead Chaplain for the day to day provision and development of pastoral, religious and spiritual care for patients, staff, visitors and to confidentially record their activities as part of the chaplaincy data system.
- To work collaboratively with other members of the chaplaincy team, attending regular team meetings and playing a full part in the development of the chaplaincy service across the Trust.
- Administer appropriate rites and ceremonies that are congruent with the practices of patients and those who are important to them and consistent with the post-holders authorising faith community or belief group.
- To ensure appropriate sacramental and pastoral support for dying patients and their families and to respond, when requested, to the needs of the recently bereaved.
- To conduct hospital contract funerals and services for babies and non-viable foetuses in accordance with Trust procedures.
- To prepare and deliver high quality training, development, and information for clinical colleagues on the nature of spiritual care and the contribution of the chaplaincy services.
- To be fully conversant with NHS and professional protocols, guidelines, and competencies for NHS chaplaincy services.
- To take an active role in promoting understanding and application of spiritual care across all ages within the OUH NHS Foundation Trust.
- To participate fully in the 24 hour chaplaincy on-call service. It is expected that the chaplaincy work will be of irregular hours, so that flexibility of working hours and practice is required.
- To undertake administrative responsibilities of behalf of the chaplaincy team, such as maintaining staff rotas, pastoral resources and managing the stock of chaplaincy team resources.
- To supervise ministerial students on placement, and to participate in the delivery of an agreed seminar programme.
- To participate in training programmes for undergraduate and post-graduate studies on aspects of spiritual care.
- To provide (when requested) pastoral and spiritual support for relatives making visits to the mortuary to view a deceased adult or child.
- To provide staff support following complex and demanding clinical situations.
- To be available to church and faith community leaders in order to support them in their care for community members when in hospital, always remembering NHS and professional guidelines for patient confidentiality.
- To advise the Lead Chaplain on resources required to ensure that the spiritual, pastoral and religious needs of patients are met.
- To work collaboratively with key allied professionals to develop learning and working practise together.
- To have a commitment to ones own professional and spiritual growth and development.
- To be accountable to the Lead Chaplain and team colleagues who manage the Chaplaincy charitable funds for any donations received in the course of ministry within the OUH hospitals.
Person Specification
Essential
Essential
- Achieved Experience
- Rooted in a faith or belief community
- Degree in theology/pastoral studies or equivalent
- Knowledge of all aspects of spiritual care and how this is applied in diverse faith and cultural traditions.
Desirable
- Counselling qualification
- Experience of healthcare settings
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Closing Date: 20 January 2025
