Detailed job description and main 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 one’s 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 care and  support.

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

·         To arrange Roman Catholic 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 and facilitate gatherings for meditation, prayer or reflection in the Trust’s hospitals.

·         To assist in ensuring that the Chapels, Multi-Faith Spaces and Prayer Rooms in the Trust’s 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 Roman Catholic 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 Team’s aims and objectives.

·         To share in the development and provision of a sustainable chaplaincy service in all areas of  the Trust, contributing to the Trust’s 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 Roman Catholic 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.