Job summary "The Spiritual & Pastoral Care Service seeks to transform lives by nurturing & promoting wellbeing, wholeness & recovery through spiritual and religious outcomes of hope, meaning and purpose." As Lead Chaplain for the Trust, you will be able to work flexibly and creatively as part of the multi faith and no faith team. You will provide collaborative leadership, operational management and strategic direction to the Spiritual and Pastoral Care Service. You will already have a proven record of substantial pastoral experience and demonstrable practical spiritual care team working skills in a multi-faith environment. Significant previous experience of healthcare chaplaincy is essential. You will formally be endorsed by your faith community as well as registered with UKBHC and/or a member of CHCC. You will work collaboratively with the Deputy Chief Nurse, Head of Patient Services and all members of the Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care Team, to ensure the timely, safe and appropriate response to referrals and requests. Patients are at the heart of everything we do, and our chaplains have a spiritual calling to care for, support, encourage, nurture and provide for all patients, family carers and staff across the Trust, especially in time of crisis and at end of life. Main duties of the job There will be a requirement to lead on service improvement and development, working in conjunction with the Lead Chaplain at Kettering General Hospital (KGH) as part of the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire. There will be occasions when you will be required to attend KGH for meetings and training. The Lead Chaplain is understood to be the specialist adviser on all spiritual, religious and pastoral care issues related to healthcare, especially regarding birth rites, serious illness, death and dying. You will be able to provide specific knowledge and expertise of your own faith or belief community, as well as have comprehensive experience and knowledge of other world faiths and philosophies. The Lead Chaplain provides specialist spiritual care assessments and acts as a resource for other health care professionals who make spiritual assessments as a component of holistic care planning within the continuum of care. You will be responsible for delivering high quality spiritual, religious and pastoral care to patients, relatives and staff of all faiths, beliefs and none, following The NHS England Chaplaincy Guidelines 2023 and able to demonstrate practice to Band 7 of the UKBHC Spiritual and religious Care Capabilities and Competences for Healthcare Chaplains (UKBHC, 2015b). About us Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire. Our Excellence Values CompassionAccountabilityRespectIntegrityCourage We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities. We are a Defence positive trust, supporting our reservists, veterans, spouses and partners. The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals. We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals. Date posted 21 February 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 7 Salary £46,148 to £52,809 a year Per annum/pro rata Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 265-7003403 Job locations Northampton General Hospital Cliftonville Northampton NN1 5BD Job description Job responsibilities Leadership and Management To provide leadership, operational management and strategic direction to the Spiritual and Pastoral Care Service in order to deliver excellence as a progressive, proactive and responsive service. To lead, nurture and encourage a collaborative team focussed on co-operation and co-production, to deliver a professional service, focusing on the spiritual element of holistic care across the Trust. To manage the recruitment, interviewing, specialist training and annual appraisals of all employed and voluntary members of the Spiritual and Pastoral Care Team. To provide leadership in and commitment to regular prayer, study and reflective practice within the staff and volunteer team, and to empower and enable them in their own spiritual development and practice. To be responsible for training within the department for staff and volunteers and also across the Trust to all staff, as part of the Trusts Learning and Development portfolio. Maintain and develop relationships with national and regional training providers to ensure that student placements are supported, and the profile of healthcare chaplaincy is promoted. To work in accordance with the UHN Trust values, policies and procedures, fulfilling statutory and mandatory Trust training requirements and undertaking any necessary training that supports the work of the service. To be a full registered member of the UK Board of Healthcare Chaplains (UKBHC) and/ or the College of Health Care Chaplains (CHCC). Planning and Organisation To provide financial management for the service and act responsibly as the budget holder. To co-ordinate a Trust-wide service, including delivery of Service Level Agreements and all spiritual and pastoral care contracts. To manage the Trust funeral contracts and liaise with the Trusts Commissioning Service, Medical Examiners, Bereavement Service, Palliative Care Team and all internal and external stakeholders. Direct patient care To be present and available to offer pastoral, spiritual and religious care, and support, regardless of faith background or tradition, to patients, visitors and staff, often making an independent specialist assessment regarding pastoral, spiritual and religious/belief care, particularly at times of crisis, stress, loss, and bereavement. To be aware of, and sensitive to, the varying religious, cultural, spiritual and pastoral care needs of people and families and to assist staff in responding to these needs. To be a skilled communicator and people friendly, to be able to establish and maintain helpful and healthy relationships, sometimes in pastorally challenging, as well as unpredictable, unpleasant and challenging environments. To lead the service response to traumatic situations, both to patients, families and staff and to provide pastoral counselling, bereavement counselling, trauma risk management and debrief as required. To be able to adapt to challenging working conditions when required and to work closely and remain compliant with the Trusts Infection Prevention Control policies and protocols. To maintain all records and data management in accordance with Information Governance policies and procedures, and to assist in patient project evaluation processes and preparation of all reports as required. Specialist knowledge and practice To provide specialist knowledge of ones own faith or belief tradition as well as that of other traditions, cultures and faith communities. To be an informed adviser on ethical issues related to healthcare, especially with regards to birth rites, serious illness, and death and dying. To maintain an accurate and up to date list of other local or national faith leaders and faith communities who may be able to assist as and when required. To be responsible for the planning, preparation and (where appropriate) the delivery of faith-based services and other significant festival celebrations in the world faith calendar, respecting the traditions and beliefs of all who work in partnership with the Spiritual and Pastoral Care Service. To provide such services as required by the wider hospital community and to provide spiritual and pastoral care to the organisation. To arrange and/or conduct services of naming and blessing of babies who die during pregnancy or around the time of birth and to arrange and/or conduct contract funerals for both babies and adults as required. To arrange the civil or religious marriages of patients, in extremis, with the Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths or the Archbishops Faculty Office. To arrange such Memorial Services and other corporate or public events and services as the Trust requires. On-call and emergencies To co-ordinate and share in the weekday and weekend duties of the service and ensure the duty chaplain rota is maintained and widely known to Switchboard, Duty Directors and all Hospital Managers. As required by the service, to share in the 24/7 On-Call Out of Hours Service as Trust Duty Chaplain which includes weekend cover as per the rota. There is a commitment to be on-site within 30 - 45 minutes. To ensure that major incident response and business continuity plans are kept up to date and are well communicated. Multi-disciplinary practice To engage proactively and communicate effectively with colleagues to ensure a multi-disciplinary approach to the provision of spiritual, religious and pastoral care to patients, their families and carers, and to staff, seeking to meet the needs of those of all faiths and philosophies of life. To be a prophetic voice in discussions in multi-disciplinary meetings representing ethical and faith perspectives when appropriate. To play a full part in discussions where pastoral, spiritual and religious needs of patients might be a component of holistic care-planning. To be a resource, for all healthcare colleagues, as lead chaplain in this specialist area of work. Community liaison, participation and representation To liaise with community faith leaders and faith community pastoral agencies about the pastoral, spiritual and religious care of patients, visitors and staff and to receive information from such leaders, within the confines of confidentiality. To be a resource for the Trust for such local and national multi-faith information. To implement and encourage patient and staff liaison about the work of the service and the Trusts response to spiritual and religious care issues. Job description Job responsibilities Leadership and Management To provide leadership, operational management and strategic direction to the Spiritual and Pastoral Care Service in order to deliver excellence as a progressive, proactive and responsive service. To lead, nurture and encourage a collaborative team focussed on co-operation and co-production, to deliver a professional service, focusing on the spiritual element of holistic care across the Trust. To manage the recruitment, interviewing, specialist training and annual appraisals of all employed and voluntary members of the Spiritual and Pastoral Care Team. To provide leadership in and commitment to regular prayer, study and reflective practice within the staff and volunteer team, and to empower and enable them in their own spiritual development and practice. To be responsible for training within the department for staff and volunteers and also across the Trust to all staff, as part of the Trusts Learning and Development portfolio. Maintain and develop relationships with national and regional training providers to ensure that student placements are supported, and the profile of healthcare chaplaincy is promoted. To work in accordance with the UHN Trust values, policies and procedures, fulfilling statutory and mandatory Trust training requirements and undertaking any necessary training that supports the work of the service. To be a full registered member of the UK Board of Healthcare Chaplains (UKBHC) and/ or the College of Health Care Chaplains (CHCC). Planning and Organisation To provide financial management for the service and act responsibly as the budget holder. To co-ordinate a Trust-wide service, including delivery of Service Level Agreements and all spiritual and pastoral care contracts. To manage the Trust funeral contracts and liaise with the Trusts Commissioning Service, Medical Examiners, Bereavement Service, Palliative Care Team and all internal and external stakeholders. Direct patient care To be present and available to offer pastoral, spiritual and religious care, and support, regardless of faith background or tradition, to patients, visitors and staff, often making an independent specialist assessment regarding pastoral, spiritual and religious/belief care, particularly at times of crisis, stress, loss, and bereavement. To be aware of, and sensitive to, the varying religious, cultural, spiritual and pastoral care needs of people and families and to assist staff in responding to these needs. To be a skilled communicator and people friendly, to be able to establish and maintain helpful and healthy relationships, sometimes in pastorally challenging, as well as unpredictable, unpleasant and challenging environments. To lead the service response to traumatic situations, both to patients, families and staff and to provide pastoral counselling, bereavement counselling, trauma risk management and debrief as required. To be able to adapt to challenging working conditions when required and to work closely and remain compliant with the Trusts Infection Prevention Control policies and protocols. To maintain all records and data management in accordance with Information Governance policies and procedures, and to assist in patient project evaluation processes and preparation of all reports as required. Specialist knowledge and practice To provide specialist knowledge of ones own faith or belief tradition as well as that of other traditions, cultures and faith communities. To be an informed adviser on ethical issues related to healthcare, especially with regards to birth rites, serious illness, and death and dying. To maintain an accurate and up to date list of other local or national faith leaders and faith communities who may be able to assist as and when required. To be responsible for the planning, preparation and (where appropriate) the delivery of faith-based services and other significant festival celebrations in the world faith calendar, respecting the traditions and beliefs of all who work in partnership with the Spiritual and Pastoral Care Service. To provide such services as required by the wider hospital community and to provide spiritual and pastoral care to the organisation. To arrange and/or conduct services of naming and blessing of babies who die during pregnancy or around the time of birth and to arrange and/or conduct contract funerals for both babies and adults as required. To arrange the civil or religious marriages of patients, in extremis, with the Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths or the Archbishops Faculty Office. To arrange such Memorial Services and other corporate or public events and services as the Trust requires. On-call and emergencies To co-ordinate and share in the weekday and weekend duties of the service and ensure the duty chaplain rota is maintained and widely known to Switchboard, Duty Directors and all Hospital Managers. As required by the service, to share in the 24/7 On-Call Out of Hours Service as Trust Duty Chaplain which includes weekend cover as per the rota. There is a commitment to be on-site within 30 - 45 minutes. To ensure that major incident response and business continuity plans are kept up to date and are well communicated. Multi-disciplinary practice To engage proactively and communicate effectively with colleagues to ensure a multi-disciplinary approach to the provision of spiritual, religious and pastoral care to patients, their families and carers, and to staff, seeking to meet the needs of those of all faiths and philosophies of life. To be a prophetic voice in discussions in multi-disciplinary meetings representing ethical and faith perspectives when appropriate. To play a full part in discussions where pastoral, spiritual and religious needs of patients might be a component of holistic care-planning. To be a resource, for all healthcare colleagues, as lead chaplain in this specialist area of work. Community liaison, participation and representation To liaise with community faith leaders and faith community pastoral agencies about the pastoral, spiritual and religious care of patients, visitors and staff and to receive information from such leaders, within the confines of confidentiality. To be a resource for the Trust for such local and national multi-faith information. To implement and encourage patient and staff liaison about the work of the service and the Trusts response to spiritual and religious care issues. Person Specification Education / training Essential Education, Training and Qualifications Degree in Theology/Religious Studies or equivalent to Level 6 or above. Evidence of continuing personal and professional development - CPD Summary required. Membership of the United Kingdom Board for Health Care Chaplaincy (UKHBC). Evidence is required. The candidate should be in good standing with and formally endorsed by their relevant Faith Community or Association - (for example - ordained priest or lay minister in good standing with their faith community or authorising body and having permission to practice.) Evidence is required both in application and interview. Desirable Membership of the College of Healthcare Chaplains (CHCC). Evidence is required. Qualification in counselling Leadership and Management Training, Coaching or Mentoring Knowledge & experience Essential Significant experience of working as a healthcare chaplain (Band 6 or above) and/or of spiritual and pastoral care in an hospital setting. Significant experience of leadership in a management role. Experience of working on projects with targeted outcomes, deadlines and reporting processes. Experience of working in a multi faith team and/or in an international setting with people of other faiths and beliefs than own. Desirable To be able to demonstrate practice to Band 7 of the UKBHC Spiritual and religious Care Capabilities and Competences for Healthcare Chaplains (UKBHC, 2015b). Skills Essential Excellent IT skills and able to evidence use of Office 365, patient record keeping software, financial and procurement systems, E-Roster and ESR/EOL. Able to recognise and to maintain professional boundaries and provide accurate information. Ability to provide Spiritual and Religious Care for the dying, critically ill and newly bereaved, including those experiencing sudden death or pregnancy loss. Ability to be calm, empathetic and compassionate in distressing situations. Desirable Experience in teaching and training, supervising and mentoring. Evidence required. Significant understanding of counselling modalities and of pastoral care hermeneutics Person Specification Education / training Essential Education, Training and Qualifications Degree in Theology/Religious Studies or equivalent to Level 6 or above. Evidence of continuing personal and professional development - CPD Summary required. Membership of the United Kingdom Board for Health Care Chaplaincy (UKHBC). Evidence is required. The candidate should be in good standing with and formally endorsed by their relevant Faith Community or Association - (for example - ordained priest or lay minister in good standing with their faith community or authorising body and having permission to practice.) Evidence is required both in application and interview. Desirable Membership of the College of Healthcare Chaplains (CHCC). Evidence is required. Qualification in counselling Leadership and Management Training, Coaching or Mentoring Knowledge & experience Essential Significant experience of working as a healthcare chaplain (Band 6 or above) and/or of spiritual and pastoral care in an hospital setting. Significant experience of leadership in a management role. Experience of working on projects with targeted outcomes, deadlines and reporting processes. Experience of working in a multi faith team and/or in an international setting with people of other faiths and beliefs than own. Desirable To be able to demonstrate practice to Band 7 of the UKBHC Spiritual and religious Care Capabilities and Competences for Healthcare Chaplains (UKBHC, 2015b). Skills Essential Excellent IT skills and able to evidence use of Office 365, patient record keeping software, financial and procurement systems, E-Roster and ESR/EOL. Able to recognise and to maintain professional boundaries and provide accurate information. Ability to provide Spiritual and Religious Care for the dying, critically ill and newly bereaved, including those experiencing sudden death or pregnancy loss. Ability to be calm, empathetic and compassionate in distressing situations. Desirable Experience in teaching and training, supervising and mentoring. Evidence required. Significant understanding of counselling modalities and of pastoral care hermeneutics 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). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). 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. 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). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Northampton General Hospital Address Northampton General Hospital Cliftonville Northampton NN1 5BD Employer's website https://www.northamptongeneral.nhs.uk/Home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)