Trust Chaplain

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW)

The closing date is 28 April 2025

Job summary

We are looking to recruit a suitably qualified and experienced chaplain to join our Chaplaincy team at UHBW and support the pastoral and spiritual care of our patients and staff.

Applicants for this position should:

Have a high level of emotional intelligence and excellent communication skills, working alongside all those who use and provide the Trust's services.
Be reflective practitioners who can apply their learning to their own practice and that of the wider chaplaincy team.
Be motivated, flexible and adaptable, keen to learn new skills and develop their understanding of spiritual, religious and pastoral care in a health care setting that seeks to provide "chaplaincy for all".

Main duties of the job

To provide spiritual and pastoral care to patients, staff and visitors to the Trust.
To demonstrate a pro-active commitment to team working, collaboration and development, including sharing knowledge, skills and pastoral care for the benefit of the team and our hospitals.
To provide or enable religious rites and ceremonies as may be requested or required (within the limitations of the post-holder's religion/belief and faith authority).
To participate in a 24-hour, 7 day per week chaplaincy on call rota where the response time for emergency calls is within 1 hour.

About us

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as 'Good' overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward- thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone's throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we're meeting our pledge.

Date posted

07 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£37,338 to £44,962 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

387-TS8180-TJ

Job locations

Bristol Royal Infirmary

Upper Maudlin Street

Bristol

BS2 8HW

Job description

Job responsibilities

For a more detailed job description and main responsibilities, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For a more detailed job description and main responsibilities, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

Essential

Relevant higher-level qualification
A high standard of training relating to faith, belief, pastoral care and theological understanding
Authority to perform the duties of an ordained cleric, trained lay minister or recognised belief community representative, e.g., Bishop's licence, denominational accreditation, letter of authority and good standing from a group recognised by one of the governing bodies for healthcare chaplaincy.

Desirable

Further qualification(s) in pastoral theology or health care chaplaincy
Accredited with the UK Board for Healthcare Chaplaincy
Accredited counselling qualifications and practice

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

An understanding and acceptance of spiritual, religious and pastoral care in a hospital context.
Ability to demonstrate respect for people regardless of difference including faith, belief and values
Experience in pastoral ministry
Knowledge and experience in supporting people with spiritual problems encountered in sickness, dying, death and bereavement
Knowledge of other world faiths

Desirable

Experience in health care chaplaincy in NHS
Experience of working with leaders of other faiths
Knowledge and experience of research methods in healthcare chaplaincy

Skills and Abilities

Essential

Ability to adapt rapidly from one patient encounter to the next whilst holding what has been shared.
Ability to work positively in sometimes stressful situations with exposure to highly distressing or emotional circumstances
Highly developed interpersonal, communication and concentration skills.
IT literacy and familiarity with Microsoft Office software and able to interrogate and input data.
Access to transport and an ability to participate in a 24/7 on-call rota (by agreement), including lone working
Ability and willingness to pray with people on request.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

Essential

Relevant higher-level qualification
A high standard of training relating to faith, belief, pastoral care and theological understanding
Authority to perform the duties of an ordained cleric, trained lay minister or recognised belief community representative, e.g., Bishop's licence, denominational accreditation, letter of authority and good standing from a group recognised by one of the governing bodies for healthcare chaplaincy.

Desirable

Further qualification(s) in pastoral theology or health care chaplaincy
Accredited with the UK Board for Healthcare Chaplaincy
Accredited counselling qualifications and practice

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

An understanding and acceptance of spiritual, religious and pastoral care in a hospital context.
Ability to demonstrate respect for people regardless of difference including faith, belief and values
Experience in pastoral ministry
Knowledge and experience in supporting people with spiritual problems encountered in sickness, dying, death and bereavement
Knowledge of other world faiths

Desirable

Experience in health care chaplaincy in NHS
Experience of working with leaders of other faiths
Knowledge and experience of research methods in healthcare chaplaincy

Skills and Abilities

Essential

Ability to adapt rapidly from one patient encounter to the next whilst holding what has been shared.
Ability to work positively in sometimes stressful situations with exposure to highly distressing or emotional circumstances
Highly developed interpersonal, communication and concentration skills.
IT literacy and familiarity with Microsoft Office software and able to interrogate and input data.
Access to transport and an ability to participate in a 24/7 on-call rota (by agreement), including lone working
Ability and willingness to pray with people on request.

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).

Additional information