Chaplain

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

The closing date is 11 May 2025

Job summary

Post: 1.8 WTE Chaplain Full time and Part time applicants considered.

The Department of Spiritual, Pastoral and Religious Care is responsible for facilitating the pastoral careof all patients, staff and visitors at UHCW NHS Trust. It is also responsible for providing specialistknowledge and expertise relating to spiritual matters.

The post holder will contribute to a multi-faith team providing spiritual and pastoral care for patients,relatives and staff in UHCW NHS Trust and supporting other sites across Coventry and Warwickshirethat are covered by service level agreements. The post holder will work with the Lead Chaplain andthe team of Chaplains in facilitating the provision of care.

The post holder will be required to work at University Hospital Coventry, the Hospital of St Cross inRugby and other sites as operational needs arise to support the service level agreements.

We actively welcome applications from all faith and belief groups.

Please note:

Applicants should include information about their endorsement / licence to practice as a healthcare chaplain within their application.
Interviews will be held on 28th May 2025.
Applicants invited to interview will be informed by 16 May 2025 and will be required to submit a paper in advance of their interview.

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.

To contribute to the effective working of the Spiritual, Pastoral and Religious Care team.

To provide spiritual and pastoral care, including:

The delivery of ritual consistent with one's own faith or belief tradition.

Devising, co-ordinating and leading ritual to meet particular needs, e.g. memorial services for staff.

Conducting hospital contract funerals for adults, babies and non-viable foetuses in accordance with Trust procedures.

Establishing effective links with faith/belief leaders in the community.

Provide support for staff.

To participate in the 24-hour, 7 days per week Chaplaincy on-call rota where the response time for emergency calls is within 1 hour.

Provide training and education

Contribute to the professional development of Spiritual and Pastoral Care

To have a commitment to one's own personal and professional development.

Contribute to the effective working of the Trust.

About us

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.

We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.

Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.

We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence designated organisation - please click the link for further details about this prestigious award. Pathway To Excellence - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (uhcw.nhs.uk)

By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.

The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.

Date posted

25 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share

Reference number

218-AC-B6-7159106

Job locations

University Hospital Coventry with travel across sites to cover SLA

Clifford Bridge Road

Coventry

CV2 2DX

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key Result Areas and Performance

Contribute to the effective working of the Spiritual, Pastoral and Religious Care team:

Ensure good communication and collaboration with all members of the Spiritual, Pastoral and Religious Care team.

Share with colleagues the provision of 24-hour on-call cover; making decisions using own initiative about spiritual needs in crisis situations; responding to emergency calls during the week and weekend night-times while meeting the required response time of 1 hour.

Participate in daily huddle meetings and share with colleagues the daily rota duties.

Receive and respond to referrals from members of the wider community and healthcare team, including providing chaplaincy to the Mental Health service.

Participate in projects and operational groups as directed by the Lead Chaplain.

Serve as a resource to the Trust on spiritual, ethical and religious matters and provide guidance in areas of specialist knowledge.

Prepare and disseminate briefing material, reports as directed by the Lead Chaplain.

Assist with Spiritual, Pastoral and Religious Care service developments.

To have specific pastoral responsibility for designated areas as directed by the Lead Chaplain.

Follow established procedures and policies.

Contribute to audit and research within chaplaincy practice.

Record all assessments and interventions in patient information systems.

Provide spiritual and pastoral care:

Assess spiritual health and wellbeing needs, develop spiritual care plans, and keep records.

Manage referrals and determine a timely response.

Maintain confidentiality and obtain informed consent.

Provide or facilitate spiritual and pastoral care sensitive to the cultural, faith and belief realities of the diversity of service users.

Protect patients from all unwanted visits, including visits from faith community or belief group representatives, and communicate this to third parties as appropriate.

Maintain effective and consistent links with designated clinical areas.

Work collaboratively with other professionals.

Be an advocate for patients and staff as and when required.

Provide or facilitate religious care:

Deliver ritual consistent with ones own faith or belief tradition where possible.

Lead worship/prayers according to own tradition as required.

Devise, co-ordinate and lead ritual to meet particular needs e.g. memorial services for staff.

Perform ritual interventions to meet the needs of users consistent with own tradition and belief community, refer to other members of the team or the users faith community.

Conduct funerals.

Establish effective links with faith/belief leaders in the community.

Provide support for staff:

Model working relationships that respect the integrity of others.

Schedule time for staff as service users.

Assess and respond to staff pastoral and spiritual needs (individual or collective).

Respect confidence in responding to requests for personal support from members of staff.

Maintain awareness of issues, changes and conditions that may affect staff wellbeing.

Collaborate with other relevant departments in promoting staff wellbeing.

Identify other sources of staff support and, with consent, facilitate referrals.

Providing training and education:

Identify the learning needs of self and others.

Contribute to the planning and delivery of learning opportunities.

Contribute to the selection, training, supervision and mentoring of volunteers.

Train and oversee trainee chaplains.

Contribute to Trust and/or Departmental Induction Programme for new staff.

Present education and training sessions to a variety of internal and external groups.

Contribute to the professional development of Spiritual and Pastoral Care:

Maintain an up-to-date understanding of the theory and practice of Spiritual and Pastoral Care.

Maintain an awareness of research relevant to Spiritual and Pastoral Care.

Facilitate, as agreed with the Lead Chaplain, the administrative, development, and reflective practice processes for the Department.

Assist with audits, service reviews and research as directed by the Lead Chaplain.

Personal and Professional Development:

Develop and maintain up-to-date knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to the duties of the role.

Identify personal learning needs.

Participate in the Development Review Process (Appraisal).

Maintain agreed personal and professional development.

Practice in accordance with the principles of the UK Board of Healthcare Chaplaincy Code of Conduct, Spiritual & Religious Care Capabilities & Competences for Healthcare Chaplain, and Standards for Healthcare Chaplaincy Services.

Develop as a reflective practitioner and receive regular supervision.

Maintain a good standing within the post holders own faith or belief tradition.

Contribute to the effective working of the Trust:

Follow Trust policies and procedures.

Embody Trust values.

Undertake mandatory training.

Participate in relevant Trust-wide activities.

Represent Spiritual, Pastoral and Religious Care in healthcare teams (e.g. MDTs) and at relevant functions and events.

Create and lead corporate acts which have spiritual significance. e.g. Acts of Remembrance.

For further details of the role please see the attached job description.