Northampton General Hospital

Hospital Chaplain

The closing date is 27 May 2025

Job summary

To support enable the Chaplaincy Team to help provide religious, pastoral and spiritual support for patient's, carers and staff throughout the Trust.

The post holder will liaise with the Lead Hospital Chaplain and other members of the Chaplaincy team to ensure that services are developed and maintained throughout the Trust.

Responsibility for leading in areas agreed from time to time with the Lead Chaplain; always ensuring that the delivery of service is respected and highly valued.

The Hospital Chaplain will deputise for the Lead Hospital Chaplain during periods of absence; they will be delegated responsibility for day to day departmental operational matters as agreed with the Lead Hospital Chaplain.

Main duties of the job

Spiritual and Religious

To work with the Lead Hospital Chaplain in ensuring the delivery of religious, spiritual and pastoral care throughout the hospital community. They will work alongside other Chaplains, Chaplaincy Volunteers and members of staff.

To be a resource for the Trust and its staff as appropriate, or when directed.

To assist in the provision of public worship in the Multi Faith Prayer Room and on the wards.

Professional

To share fully in the departmental 24/7 'on-call' duties, and to provide cover as appropriate. At present the on-call commitment is 1 in 2, involving weekend cover every 2 weeks. An offsite on-call response time of 30 minutes is expected.

Freedom to Act

Freedom to initiate any action within the Chaplaincy code of conduct.

Freedom to act independently within the boundaries of existing Trust, policies, protocols, procedures, and strategies.

Personal

To attend any training opportunities relevant to the role.

To adhere to the Code of Professional Conduct as laid down by the College of Health Care Chaplains.

To maintain ongoing professional development to be a resource for ethical, theological, and pastoral matters within the Trust.

Communications and Relationships

To the Lead Chaplain:

To seek support and supervision.

To influence the decision making process.

To report incidents.

Others:

To assist in the supervision and support of Chaplaincy Visitors

To assist in the supervision of theological students on placement.

About us

Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.

Our Excellence Values

Compassion

Accountability

Respect

Integrity

Courage

We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.

We are a Defence positive trust, supporting our reservists, veterans, spouses and partners.

The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.

We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.

We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds.This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.

Details

Date posted

13 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year Per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

265-7151163

Job locations

Northampton General Hospital

Cliftonville

Northampton

NN1 5BD


Job description

Job responsibilities

Spiritual and Religious

To work with the Lead Hospital Chaplain in ensuring the delivery of religious, spiritual and pastoral care throughout the hospital community. They will work alongside other Chaplains, Chaplaincy Volunteers and members of staff.

To be a resource for the Trust and its staff as appropriate, or when directed.

To assist in the provision of public worship in the Multi Faith Prayer Room and on the wards.

To assist in providing special care to the seriously ill and dying and ministering to both patients and their families in immediate need.

Professional

To share fully in the departmental 24/7 on-call duties, and to provide cover as appropriate. At present the on-call commitment is 1 in 2, involving weekend cover every 2 weeks. An offsite on-call response time of 30 minutes is expected.

To provide regular ward visits and to respond to requests /referrals within agreed time scales.

To maintain good relations with local clergy, and other outside agencies as appropriate; and assisting nursing staff when faith leaders/ ministers of different religions need to be contacted.

To be involved in the teaching programme of the Hospital Chaplaincy Department on issues of bereavement, spirituality, and chaplaincy.

To assist in the training, supervision, recruitment, and day to day work of the Hospital Chaplaincy Volunteers.

To observe the requirements of confidentiality both within and outside the hospital community.

To assist in the implementation of appropriate standards of service; to be conversant with the necessary hospital policies and guidelines ensuring that these standards are met.

To encourage innovation and change within the Department, and in the service offered; being proactive in audit, research, and reflective practice.

To assist in the provision of information to the public about the Chaplaincy Department through the Trusts website.

To have IT and administrative skills as required.

To keep necessary records, and to provide information and reports when required.

Freedom to Act

Freedom to initiate any action within the Chaplaincy code of conduct.

Freedom to act independently within the boundaries of existing Trust, policies, protocols, procedures, and strategies.

Personal

To attend any training opportunities relevant to the role.

To adhere to the Code of Professional Conduct as laid down by the College of Health Care Chaplains.

To maintain ongoing professional development to be a resource for ethical, theological, and pastoral matters within the Trust.

Communications and Relationships

To the Lead Chaplain:

To seek support and supervision.

To influence the decision making process.

To report incidents.

To other Chaplains:

To plan and organise alongside them.

To collaborate with all other team members.

Others:

To assist in the supervision and support of Chaplaincy Visitors

To assist in the supervision of theological students on placement.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Spiritual and Religious

To work with the Lead Hospital Chaplain in ensuring the delivery of religious, spiritual and pastoral care throughout the hospital community. They will work alongside other Chaplains, Chaplaincy Volunteers and members of staff.

To be a resource for the Trust and its staff as appropriate, or when directed.

To assist in the provision of public worship in the Multi Faith Prayer Room and on the wards.

To assist in providing special care to the seriously ill and dying and ministering to both patients and their families in immediate need.

Professional

To share fully in the departmental 24/7 on-call duties, and to provide cover as appropriate. At present the on-call commitment is 1 in 2, involving weekend cover every 2 weeks. An offsite on-call response time of 30 minutes is expected.

To provide regular ward visits and to respond to requests /referrals within agreed time scales.

To maintain good relations with local clergy, and other outside agencies as appropriate; and assisting nursing staff when faith leaders/ ministers of different religions need to be contacted.

To be involved in the teaching programme of the Hospital Chaplaincy Department on issues of bereavement, spirituality, and chaplaincy.

To assist in the training, supervision, recruitment, and day to day work of the Hospital Chaplaincy Volunteers.

To observe the requirements of confidentiality both within and outside the hospital community.

To assist in the implementation of appropriate standards of service; to be conversant with the necessary hospital policies and guidelines ensuring that these standards are met.

To encourage innovation and change within the Department, and in the service offered; being proactive in audit, research, and reflective practice.

To assist in the provision of information to the public about the Chaplaincy Department through the Trusts website.

To have IT and administrative skills as required.

To keep necessary records, and to provide information and reports when required.

Freedom to Act

Freedom to initiate any action within the Chaplaincy code of conduct.

Freedom to act independently within the boundaries of existing Trust, policies, protocols, procedures, and strategies.

Personal

To attend any training opportunities relevant to the role.

To adhere to the Code of Professional Conduct as laid down by the College of Health Care Chaplains.

To maintain ongoing professional development to be a resource for ethical, theological, and pastoral matters within the Trust.

Communications and Relationships

To the Lead Chaplain:

To seek support and supervision.

To influence the decision making process.

To report incidents.

To other Chaplains:

To plan and organise alongside them.

To collaborate with all other team members.

Others:

To assist in the supervision and support of Chaplaincy Visitors

To assist in the supervision of theological students on placement.

Person Specification

Education

Essential

  • Educated to degree level or equivalent occupational qualification.
  • Licensed/ authorised to provide full religious and sacramental care within their own faith tradition.

Desirable

  • Theological Degree.
  • Counselling/ Psychotherapy Qualification

Experience

Essential

  • An ordained priest/minister in good standing with their church.
  • Experience of working as part of a team.
  • Pastoral experience in a variety of settings.

Desirable

  • Experience of hospital Chaplaincy, or of a related health care setting.

Skills

Essential

  • Excellent inter-personal skills; an ability to meet people on their terms.
  • Good IT literacy.
  • Good communication skills; and self awareness.

Desirable

  • Teaching skills
Person Specification

Education

Essential

  • Educated to degree level or equivalent occupational qualification.
  • Licensed/ authorised to provide full religious and sacramental care within their own faith tradition.

Desirable

  • Theological Degree.
  • Counselling/ Psychotherapy Qualification

Experience

Essential

  • An ordained priest/minister in good standing with their church.
  • Experience of working as part of a team.
  • Pastoral experience in a variety of settings.

Desirable

  • Experience of hospital Chaplaincy, or of a related health care setting.

Skills

Essential

  • Excellent inter-personal skills; an ability to meet people on their terms.
  • Good IT literacy.
  • Good communication skills; and self awareness.

Desirable

  • Teaching skills

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Northampton General Hospital

Address

Northampton General Hospital

Cliftonville

Northampton

NN1 5BD


Employer's website

https://www.northamptongeneral.nhs.uk/Home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Northampton General Hospital

Address

Northampton General Hospital

Cliftonville

Northampton

NN1 5BD


Employer's website

https://www.northamptongeneral.nhs.uk/Home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Senior Hospital Chaplain

Reverend George Sarmezey

george.sarmezey@nhs.net

01604545773

Details

Date posted

13 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year Per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

265-7151163

Job locations

Northampton General Hospital

Cliftonville

Northampton

NN1 5BD


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Northampton General Hospital's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)