Hospice Chaplain

Job description

Job responsibilities

Assess, develop, and implement high-quality spiritual support for people as they come to terms with end of life and as they cope with loss and grief. Support people to find their own sense of meaning and purpose in the context of their suffering

To assess complex pastoral, spiritual, and religious needs of patients, their family members and carers and plan support and care accordingly

To manage the provision of religious services within the hospice and the provision of the religious needs of patients and their families, working collaboratively with the pastoral care worker and other faith leaders in the Community as appropriate. This will include active contribution to our Communities Coming Together project which will supports engagement with diverse communities across our catchment.

To be the principal resource to the multi-disciplinary team in their understanding of, and response to, spiritual and religious care requirements

To provide appropriate training and support to others in their provision of pastoral and spiritual care, to include participation in internal and external training programmes.

To provide spiritual and pastoral support to members of the clinical multi-disciplinary team and wider hospice community in their day-to-day work caring for life-limited patients. Support and advise managers to develop their religious understanding on how they can ensure colleagues bring their authentic self to work, including expression of their individual religious or spiritual identity. Contribute to the facilitation of our staff Sanctuary Sessions which offer a safe reflective space for colleagues to share and discuss the challenges they encounter in their roles.

To be available as a specialist resource for appropriate external bodies and individuals on matters of pastoral, spiritual and religious care, within a Hospice setting.

To maintain and develop your knowledge and competency through regular line management, supervision, ongoing training, and membership of national chaplaincy networks.

To receive regular external supervision for the work.

To support and supervise Pastoral Care volunteers.

To participate in, where appropriate, to the hospices provision of bereavement support, for example occasional funerals, memorial services and bereavement groups.

Working with the Fundraising Team, plan/participate/lead the Hospice Remembrance services including the Christmas Light Up a Life service.

To contribute to the development of services provided by the Counselling Support Services

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Postgraduate certificate or diploma in healthcare chaplaincy, or comprehensive theological education to at least diploma level, or evidence of an equivalent accredited faith qualification.

Experience

Essential

• Member of UK board of Healthcare Chaplaincy (UKBHC)
• Experience of Pastoral Care and Counselling skills within training
• Experience of working with Palliative and end of life care

Influencing and Negotiating

Essential

• Experience of influencing, convincing or negotiating with others in a way that results in acceptance and behaviour change.

Resilience

Essential

• Ability to remain calm and self-controlled under pressure
• Able to support colleagues with empathy to seek solutions to aid in the overall running of the hospice.

Special Conditions

Essential

• Appointment is subject to Enhanced Disclosure and Barring service check, including barred lists.
• Post holder immunised for MMR, TB and Chickenpox
• Access to own vehicle with personal insurance cover for business use

Using Initiative

Essential

• Experience of taking responsibility for own actions and make decisions without referring to others with sphere of competence
• Able to recognise when support/advice should be sought.

Communication

Essential

• Excellent communications skills, communicating effectively to suit the audience
• Experience of preparing teaching materials, with confident delivery of teaching sessions regarding area of expertise.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Thames Hospice

Address

Windsor Road

Maidenhead

Berkshire

SL6 2DN

Employer's website

https://www.thameshospice.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)