Job summary
We are looking to appoint a chaplain to offer spiritual care in our hospitals and communities in East Sussex. This is a demanding but rewarding role as part of the Chaplaincy and Spirituality Team. Members of the team work closely together to support each other in the delivery of spiritual care in the Trust. Working alongside people in a mental health crisis demands wisdom, compassion, a sense of humour and a love of the people we are with. It is a huge privilege to do so and enormously rewarding.
To protect the health and safety of our staff/workers, patients, and those attending our sites, we encourage our workforce to get fully vaccinated against COVID
Main duties of the job
This full time (37.5 hour) permanent appointment will be based in the hospitals in East Sussex: Department of Psychiatry, Eastbourne; Hellingly Centre and Amberstone Hospital, Hellingly and Beechwood Dementia unit in Uckfield, and work will also involve supporting service users in the community and liaising with faith communities. You will be: . An ordained minister of a Christian Church with experience of spirituality and mental health and the interaction between the two. A person of patience, warmth and hope . A team player, capable of initiative and independence . Happy to work alongside people of all faiths and none to offer person-centred care. A champion of Equality and Human Rights.- A person with lived experience of spirituality and mental healthExperience within mental healthcare, or a similar environment is not essential. Training will be given to support the new chaplain in his or her work. You will be working with people across the age spectrum, some of whom will be in hospital for long periods.You are welcome to contact Fr James McMahon, who will be the new lead chaplain, to discuss this post on 07471 031986 or by email at james.mcmahon@spft.nhs.uk
About us
Members of the team support each other with regular meetings, away-days and supervision. The Trust values spirituality as part of recovery and a holistic approach to mental healthcare. The Trust supports flexible working and believes people should be able to achieve their full potential. The Trust actively encourages support for the wellbeing of its staff with a full programme of staff wellbeing support.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As Chaplain for East Sussex, you will:Lead the direct provision of spiritual and religious care mainly in Hellingly Centre, Hailsham (Forensic Unit) and Department of Psychiatry, Eastbourne (Adult Acute), with occasional visits to Amberstone, Hailsham (Adult Rehabilitation) and Beechwood, Uckfield (Dementia Unit). Part of the role will be to lead the transition of Amberstone, Beechwood and the Department of Psychiatry to the new site at Mount View Street, Bexhill, starting with the Department of Psychiatry in 2024.Provide spiritual care to people of all faiths and none, bringing the insights of spirituality to bear on your work.Work with the multi-disciplinary teams in developing a culture of care that equals or exceeds Equality and Diversity best practice and embraces spirituality to promote recovery and autonomy.Ensure the team works coherently and co-operatively within a multi-disciplinary approach, delivering a comprehensive service that meets the religious and spiritual needs of patients, carers and staff, especially those unable to meet their own needs.Provide specialist teaching, supervision and advice regarding religion, belief and spirituality to Trust staff.Provide training to faith community leaders and liaise with faith communities in the area as and when required.Refer patients to their own or desired faith communities.Take referrals from community teams in the area around the hospitals to visit service users in a community setting.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As Chaplain for East Sussex, you will:Lead the direct provision of spiritual and religious care mainly in Hellingly Centre, Hailsham (Forensic Unit) and Department of Psychiatry, Eastbourne (Adult Acute), with occasional visits to Amberstone, Hailsham (Adult Rehabilitation) and Beechwood, Uckfield (Dementia Unit). Part of the role will be to lead the transition of Amberstone, Beechwood and the Department of Psychiatry to the new site at Mount View Street, Bexhill, starting with the Department of Psychiatry in 2024.Provide spiritual care to people of all faiths and none, bringing the insights of spirituality to bear on your work.Work with the multi-disciplinary teams in developing a culture of care that equals or exceeds Equality and Diversity best practice and embraces spirituality to promote recovery and autonomy.Ensure the team works coherently and co-operatively within a multi-disciplinary approach, delivering a comprehensive service that meets the religious and spiritual needs of patients, carers and staff, especially those unable to meet their own needs.Provide specialist teaching, supervision and advice regarding religion, belief and spirituality to Trust staff.Provide training to faith community leaders and liaise with faith communities in the area as and when required.Refer patients to their own or desired faith communities.Take referrals from community teams in the area around the hospitals to visit service users in a community setting.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Be an ordained person in a Christian Church recognised by Churches Together in Britain and of good standing with your own Christian community
- Degree level qualification - Theology/Religion
- Evidence of CPD
Desirable
- Mental Health related (nursing/counselling/psychotherapy) qualification to diploma or higher level
Knowledge/Experience
Essential
- Pastoral care experience
- Lived experience of spiritual traditions
Desirable
- Lived experience of mental health issues
- Experience within healthcare multi-disciplinary teams
Skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate in complex situation
- Ability to work in multi-faith situations
- Ability to adjust doctrine/theology to mental health context
- Ability to prioritise and keep perspective
- Ability to manage time and work alone
- Ability to plan presentations and teaching
- Ability to keep time sheets and data records
- Basic IT skills : email, Word, excel
Approach/Values
Essential
- Ability to deal with an unpredictable work pattern
- Ability to deal with distressing or emotional circumstances
- Demonstrate support for the values and beliefs of the Trust
- Actively embrace multi-faith and interfaith working
- Demonstrate an understanding of the practices of Human Rights in the delivery of this role
- Team working
- Ability to travel across sites
- Punctual and flexible across hours and places of work when required
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Be an ordained person in a Christian Church recognised by Churches Together in Britain and of good standing with your own Christian community
- Degree level qualification - Theology/Religion
- Evidence of CPD
Desirable
- Mental Health related (nursing/counselling/psychotherapy) qualification to diploma or higher level
Knowledge/Experience
Essential
- Pastoral care experience
- Lived experience of spiritual traditions
Desirable
- Lived experience of mental health issues
- Experience within healthcare multi-disciplinary teams
Skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate in complex situation
- Ability to work in multi-faith situations
- Ability to adjust doctrine/theology to mental health context
- Ability to prioritise and keep perspective
- Ability to manage time and work alone
- Ability to plan presentations and teaching
- Ability to keep time sheets and data records
- Basic IT skills : email, Word, excel
Approach/Values
Essential
- Ability to deal with an unpredictable work pattern
- Ability to deal with distressing or emotional circumstances
- Demonstrate support for the values and beliefs of the Trust
- Actively embrace multi-faith and interfaith working
- Demonstrate an understanding of the practices of Human Rights in the delivery of this role
- Team working
- Ability to travel across sites
- Punctual and flexible across hours and places of work when required
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).
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.
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).
