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Job overview

Chaplain

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board  is looking to recruit a full-time chaplain to join our existing team.

Hospital chaplaincy is often challenging, but also immensely rewarding, having a unique role supporting, listening to, and journeying with patients during their time in hospital.

Traditionally chaplains were from faith communities, but in a changing world, it is important to recognise that people of faith and no faith, equally need care, kindness and support whilst facing the uncertainty of hospitalisation.

Gentle and attentive pastoral care and listening underpins all everyday duties of the chaplain.

Where a patient has an expressed belief, faith or set of values reflecting their understanding or culture, the chaplain will either directly provide care or facilitate that care in agreement with the patient.

Whilst patients are the main focus of chaplaincy care, we also support our colleagues and all staff within the Health Board.  This support takes a variety of different forms including one to one pastoral counselling as well as group activities such as well-being events.

Chaplains are recognised as specialists in spiritual care in its widest context and as such should be a resource to staff as they plan care for patients of different cultures, beliefs and faith.

This post is open to any candidate who is appropriately qualified and trained to work in the field of chaplaincy.

Main duties of the job

• To attend and support patients and families in crisis situations where the patient or family may be in a state of distress.
• To offer and arrange religious support when requested, this may include specific rituals, prayers and sacraments.  
• To respond to emergency calls for spiritual or religious care out of normal hours, evenings, nights and weekends.
• To support and advise staff regarding the religious or cultural requirements.
• To be a direct support and resource to staff,
• To be part of the staff support network, for example, staff well-being sessions and  bereavement support groups.
• To contribute to the work of chaplaincy that delivers training and teaching.
• Chaplains are part of the Health Board organisation and must be sensitive to the current challenges of staff and the stress that may cause.  Part of our work is to find creative and innovative ways to respond and to support different staff groups.

The chaplaincy department has developed a reputation of being a positive and excellent contributor to the values of Health Board, and we seek to employ staff who will build on this success and grow the vision in the future.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Working for our organisation

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is a multi-award-winning NHS organisation with a passion for caring. The Health Board provides an exceptional workplace where you can feel trusted and valued. Whatever your specialty or stage in your career, we have opportunities for everyone to start, grow and build your career. The health board provides integrated acute, primary and community care serving a population of 650,000 and employing over 16,000 staff.

We offer a fantastic benefits package and extensive training and development opportunities with paid mandatory training, excellent in-house programmes, opportunities to complete recognised qualifications and professional career pathways including a range of management development programmes. We offer flexible working and promote a healthy work life balance, provide occupational health support and an ambitious plan for a Wellbeing Centre of Excellence to support you at work.

Our Clinical Futures strategy continues to enhance and promote care closer to home as well as high quality hospital care when needed. Join us on our journey to pioneer new ways of working and deliver a world-class healthcare service fit for the future.