Chaplain Leicester, England
Job description
We are looking for two full time enthusiastic and friendly Chaplains to join our diverse team working across the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (one of the largest trusts in the country), as well as the Leicestershire Partnership Trust (with Mental Health and Community Hospital services).
You will join a multi-faith and belief team (currently comprising 11 paid staff) that provides pastoral, spiritual and religious care to patients, visitors and staff. We are looking someone deeply rooted in their religious or non-religious belief, eager to work in a multi-faith and belief context with a genuine passion for serving people and making a transformative difference in the lives of patients, staff and relatives.
You will have accreditation/licensing with authority to practice from your faith or belief community. Please be advised that if you are shortlisted we will check your status with your accrediting/licensing body prior to interview, so you must indicate in your application if you do not wish this to happen.
You will have substantial pastoral experience. Previous experience working in chaplaincy and/or healthcare is essential and Mental Healthcare experience is advantageous.
As one of our Chaplains you will be working collaboratively with healthcare professionals across our hospitals and making a meaningful impact in the lives of patients and families.
“We are actively promoting flexible working options, helping you to manage a work / life balance”.
As a Chaplain you will contribute to the delivery of pastoral, spiritual and religious care for patients, staff and relatives as a part of the Trusts' commitment to the provision of holistic care. This will include supporting patients, relatives and staff through complex and challenging experiences, including end of life care. You will promote an understanding of the importance of spirituality, faith and belief within the life of the Trusts and the communities they serve. Affirm and nurture each individual's spirituality as it emerges through the challenges of ill-health. Sustain the religious practices of those for whom religious observance is a vital and integral part of their lives. Chaplains share in the provision of 24-hour on-call cover.
We are one of the biggest and busiest NHS trusts in the country, incorporating the General, Glenfield and Royal Infirmary hospitals. We have our very own Children's Hospital and run one of the country's leading heart centres.
Our team is made up of more than 17,000 staff providing a range of services primarily for the one million residents of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
We work with partners at the University of Leicester and De Montfort University providing world-class teaching to nurture and develop the next generation of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals, many of whom go on to spend their working lives with us.
Our purpose is to provide 'Caring at its best' and our staff have helped us create a set of values that embody who we are and what we're here to do. They are:
We focus on what matters most.
We treat others how we would like to be treated.
We are passionate and creative in our work.
We do what we say we are going to do.
We are one team and we are best when we work together
Our patients are at the heart of all we do and we believe that 'Caring at its best' is not just about the treatments and services we provide, but about giving our patients the best possible experience.
About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (leicestershospitals.nhs.uk)
CHAPLAINCY TEAM
1. To work with all members of the Chaplaincy Team to provide high quality pastoral, spiritual and religious care to patients, visitors and staff.
2. To attend and contribute to Chaplaincy staff meetings, contributing to the decision-making process and service delivery .
3. To help publicise the services of the Chaplaincy to ensure that patients, visitors and staff are aware of its services and support the integration and delivery of Chaplaincy services across all hospital sites
4. To support and deputise for the Chaplaincy Team Leader as required.
5. To take part in the provision of opportunities for in-service training to enable team members to develop their theological understanding and pastoral skills, and to be aware of the needs and requirements of the Trust regarding all aspects of spiritual care.
6. To contribute to the administration of the Chaplaincy and maintaining accurate records of work and service as required.
7. To deliver training to staff and services on the provision of Chaplaincy support.
8. To support chaplaincy volunteers, visitors and placements.
9. To have a commitment to one’s own professional and spiritual growth, development and reflective practice.
10. To participate in appraisals and personal reviews and work to achieve agreed set objectives.
SERVICE DELIVERY - TO SERVICE USERS
11. To contribute to the provision of high quality pastoral, spiritual and religious care.
12. Upon request to facilitate visits to patients by representatives from their own faith or tradition.
13. To participate, particularly at major festivals, in religious services or events where representation from the chaplain's tradition is appropriate.
14. To ensure that suitable religious ministrations, rites and ceremonies are made available to all who require them, without discrimination and in consultation with ward staff.
15. To visit wards and departments.
16. Within the rules of confidentiality to liaise with others, including the leaders of local faith communities, to ensure that diverse spiritual, religious and cultural needs are met.
17. To officiate at funerals arranged by the Trust, and to offer a sensitive service to those patients who have suffered the loss of a child or foetus.
18. Mental Health Chaplaincy: To play a full part in multidisciplinary meetings to provide a coordinated approach to care planning for mental health patients.
19. Where required to work in coordination with Chaplaincy colleagues to support high quality pastoral, spiritual and religious care to patients, visitors and staff.
SERVICE DELIVERY - EMERGENCY COVER
20. To participate in the Chaplaincy 24 hour on-call rota. Chaplains are required to be willing to do one hour weekly out of hours on-call per weekly hours employed. This may be exceeded during vacancies, holidays or sickness of other members of the Chaplaincy Team.
21. When providing out of hours on-call, to respond to calls ensuring that the standard of a one hour call out time is met (from initial call to attending the patient).
22. To take a part in the Chaplaincy response in the event of a major incident.
SERVICE DELIVERY - TO THE ORGANISATION
23. To provide support and encouragement for all staff, referring whenever necessary to the staff counselling and support services.
24. To be available to support the Head of Chaplaincy in providing religious or cultural advice to the Trusts.
25. To comply with all UHL and LPT policies and procedures, promoting high standards and accountability at all times
These duties do not provide a full summary of the Chaplain’s role. He or she will be expected to be innovative, bringing his or her special skills and abilities into the team of which he or she will be an integral part.
All Chaplains must abide by the UKBHC Code of Conduct for Healthcare Chaplains (www.ukbhc.org.uk/publications/code-of-conduct)Chaplains may be required to work on any of the UHL/LPT sites.
