Muslim Hospital Chaplain (Imam)

Job description

Job responsibilities

The postholder must have:

Degree level training in a subject relevant to healthcare chaplaincy that includes systematic study in any of the following fields: theology, religious studies, pastoral care, psychology, counselling or psychotherapy.

A professional chaplaincy identity rooted in ones own religious /spiritual/pastoral heritage that integrates professional values and behaviours, skills and specialist knowledge.

A commitment to one's own professional and personal development including theological and ethical reflection, spiritual growth and formation; arranging regular spiritual supervision or mentoring for self as required.

Full participation in Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trusts (CHFT) mandatory Essential Skills Training. Also attending study days and team meetings arranged by the chaplaincy.

Relevant keyboard skills and office skills.

The postholder must be able:

To provide pastoral, spiritual care and religious care to patients, relatives and staff within the Trust, working within the multi-faith team, also providing care and support to people of all faiths, traditions, beliefs or none when required.

To be a skilled communicator, able to establish and maintain relationships, sometimes in pastorally challenging environments.

To be able to negotiate and work within highly complex and sensitive situations and to provide or advise on religious and spiritual care.

To work effectively in highly stressful situations such as where there is distress and/or verbal abuse.

To be able to make specialised independent judgements regarding religious and spiritual care, dependent upon the situation.

To provide pastoral advice and support to all staff of all disciplines and grades, both in professional and personal matters, and to participate in initiatives to promote good quality pastoral, spiritual and religious care.

To address pastoral, spiritual and religious needs including:

To be a pastoral, spiritual, religious and ethical resource for the Trust; able to advise and facilitate religious, pastoral and spiritual support for the Muslim faith.

To commemorate the lives of Muslim staff members who die in service when required.

To arrange Muslim memorial services and be involved in corporate or public services as the Trust requires and participate in multi-faith services and events under the guidance of the Lead Chaplain.

To conduct services of public worship within the Muslim faith, including the Friday Prayers (Jummah) and facilitate gatherings for meditation, prayer or reflection in the Trusts hospitals.

To assist in ensuring that the Chapels, Multi-Faith Spaces and Prayer Rooms in the Trusts hospitals are suitably maintained and furnished.

To arrange and conduct hospital contract funerals following stillbirth, miscarriage or neonatal deaths, as required.

To provide or enable appropriate Islamic rites and rituals particularly with regard to death, dying, the seriously ill and birth rites, as required and consistent with the post holders authorised scope of practice.

To have knowledge of the major faith traditions and be able to respond appropriately in identifying support for patients, families and staff as required.

To ensure Trust is aware of relevant religious festivals and events and co-ordinate and/or establish support for any special events under the guidance of the Lead Chaplain.

To work as a member of the Chaplaincy Team:

To contribute to the implementation of the Chaplaincy Teams aims and objectives.

To share in the development and provision of a sustainable chaplaincy service in all areas of the Trust, contributing to the Trusts strategic direction and values taking on responsibilities as agreed with the Lead Chaplain.

To participate in the on-call duty rota, which provides out of hours cover for weekends and public holidays, responding to urgent requests for pastoral, spiritual and religious care for patients of all faiths, traditions and none.

To support the Lead Chaplain in the day to day running of the Chaplaincy and to deputise in their absence if required.

To work alongside the Lead Chaplain to assist CHFT in celebration of its corporate life, to affirm and celebrate diversity and equality.

To share attend and participate in the monthly chaplaincy team meeting and other meetings as required.

To be able to plan and prioritise own workload in response to patient, staff and visitor needs.

To respond to Major Incidents on behalf of the Chaplaincy Team, as required under the guidance of the Lead Chaplain.

To work as part of the Multi-Disciplinary Health Care Team:

To liaise with other healthcare staff so that spiritual assessment and care form part of the continuum of care; and attend multi-disciplinary meetings as and when attendance is considered necessary.

To keep adequate Electronic Patient Records maintaining confidentiality. To contribute to audit and research within spiritual care practice.

To participate in the delivery of training of CHFT staff (including Nursing and Medical staff) in pastoral, religious and spiritual care, bereavement, end of life care and other topics as required.

To share in the training, co-ordination and supervision of chaplaincy volunteers and students on placement with oversight from the Lead Chaplain.

To produce written material and provide publicity for the Chaplaincy and Trust as required.

To participate in disseminating information concerning healthcare to local Muslim communities, where religious and cultural considerations are involved, promoting inclusion and reducing health inequalities.

This job description is an outline only and is not definitive or restrictive in any way. It will be regularly reviewed and may be amended in the light of changing circumstances following consultation with the post holder.

Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING

Essential

• Degree level training in a subject relevant to health care chaplaincy that includes systematic study in any of the following fields: theology, religious studies, pastoral care, psychology, counselling, or psychotherapy
• Accreditation/acknowledged status for faith / belief community leadership role
• A commitment to undertake further training essential to the requirement of the post

Desirable

• Postgraduate degree or diploma in a chaplaincy-related discipline OR engaged on a course leading to this.
• Registration with the UK Board of healthcare Chaplains or eligibility to register

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE

Essential

• Substantial experience in Healthcare Chaplaincy or the equivalent in a pastoral care setting.
• Significant work with people from diverse backgrounds, including of faith and no faith
• Counselling / pastoral skills
• Able to lead Islamic services and nonreligious ceremonies in a way that is sensitive to the pastoral context and needs of those present, adapting ritual to context
• Experience of working in a multidisciplinary setting and the ability to promote shared decision making
• Demonstratable evidence of working with and respecting religious, spiritual and pastoral diversity and differences
• Deputise for the lead chaplain in chairing and facilitating meetings for staff, volunteers, and interfaith service meetings
• Endorsement to practice as a healthcare Chaplain by a recognised sponsoring faith, community, or belief group
• Working knowledge of major faith communities and belief groups in relation to the acute hospital context
• Evidence of experience of the NHS as a healthcare chaplain
• An understanding of the NHS and chaplaincy
• An understanding of the principles and practice of governance.
• A proven pastoral, spiritual and religious expertise in complex, emotional and distressing situations.
• Knowledge of religious, spiritual and ethical issues related to healthcare
• Ability to represent the chaplaincy department.
• The ability to communicate sensitively with people who have mental and physical health problems, to request support and escalate concerns as required to Lead Chaplain
• Eligible for authorisation by appropriate Muslim faith community working as an Imam
• Experience in a pastoral role working as an Imam
• Have in-depth knowledge of Islam

Desirable

• Effective performance as a healthcare chaplain at a minimum of Band 5
• Involvement in the recruitment of staff e.g., volunteers.

COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS (INCLUDING MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES)

Essential

• The ability to regulate own workload and work on own initiative
• The ability to establish effective relationships and maintain the cooperation of others.
• To be trustworthy, showing careful attention to the individual and specific needs of those in their care and to have an approach that values and affirms the rights of those outside the chaplain's own tradition to practice their beliefs appropriately
• Demonstrate appropriate personal and professional values and behaviours and practice in accordance with the UKBHC Code of Ethics
• A professional Chaplaincy identity rooted in one's own religious/spiritual/pastoral heritage that integrates professional values and disclosure, positive use of power and authority, and clear and responsible boundaries behaviours, skills and specialist knowledge
• Competent use of self in chaplaincy practice including emotional availability, cultural humility, appropriate self.
• Supportive of the Trusts values
• To participate in the on-call rota which offers cover overnight and at weekends
• To deputise for the Lead Chaplain on operational issues as required

Desirable

• Willingness to respond to urgent and unexpected event e.g., major incident supporting the Lead Chaplain

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

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust

Huddersfield Royal Infirmary

Huddersfield

HD3 3EA

Employer's website

https://www.cht.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)