Job summary
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT) is one of the biggest NHS Trusts in the country, offering a range of both general and specialist hospital services. Spread across 7 hospitals on 5 sites, including the Leeds Cancer Centre and Leeds Children’s Hospital, the Trust has an international reputation for excellence in specialist care, research, and academic training.
Chaplaincy and pastoral care services are acknowledged as a key part of the multidisciplinary team across the Trust, delivering holistic care to patients, staff, students, and those important to them.
We now have an exciting opportunity for a deputy head of chaplaincy to join our diverse team of chaplains, honorary and bank chaplains, and volunteers. We provide care 7 days a week, and in emergency 24 hours a day, striving to support people from all faiths and beliefs or world views.
We are developing our team and our service using the Leeds Way, the Trust’s values and culture, to deliver the best care possible.
This post is Trust wide but based mainly from Saint James University Hospital and Leeds General Infirmary. The post holder will be responsible for the day‑to‑day operation of the service, with specific managerial and leadership responsibility for areas of work as agreed with the Head of Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care Services, and will be central to supporting the continuing development of a forward thinking team that responds to changing needs.
Main duties of the job
In addition to supporting the Head of Chaplaincy Services, the post holder will contribute to the wider Patient Experience Team in which the chaplaincy sits. This is an excellent opportunity to develop and gain more skills within a supportive team.
Key Responsibilities
* Respond to patients, staff and relatives spiritual, pastoral and religious/ritual needs associated with the experiences of illness, injury, life and death.
* Provide experienced support to the Head of Chaplaincy Services to ensure the delivery of the chaplaincy and spiritual care strategy throughout the Trust.
* Be responsible for a range of management functions as directed by the Head of Chaplaincy Services, in consultation with the post holder and related to the skill mix of the leadership team.
* Manage the St James', Leeds General Infirmary and Chapel Allerton offices including the ordering of equipment and materials.
* Exercise an advisory and supervisory role for other Chaplains, Bank Chaplains, Honorary Chaplains and volunteers, in practical, pastoral and spiritual terms.
* Supervise and oversee the Chaplaincy Volunteer programme and the on‑call rota for the post holder’s faith or belief group.
* Ensure the on‑call arrangements for the department are equitable and fair, and that the system is notified promptly of any changes.
* Co‑ordinate arrangements for student placements and ensure that the support they need is in place.
* Maintain accurate records of pastoral involvement and work with other chaplains to ensure that procedures and protocols of the department are understood and communicated throughout the Trust.
* Lead and support staff and patients in specialist areas, prioritize need, and respond urgently to bereavement and funeral arrangements where required.
* Develop expertise in at least two aspects of Chaplaincy to support the overall aims of the department and undertake research when agreed with the Head of Chaplaincy Services.
Qualifications and Experience
* Masters degree or equivalent level qualification in counselling, pastoral care, psychology, psychotherapy, religious studies or theology.
* Endorsement to practice as a healthcare chaplain by a recognised sponsoring faith community or belief group.
* Evidence of annual continued professional development relevant to healthcare chaplaincy to UKBHC standards.
* Approximately 1600 hours of professionally supervised clinical practice as an autonomous healthcare chaplain.
* Working knowledge of major faith communities and belief groups in the healthcare context.
* Development of a specialist area of knowledge and expertise in a particular aspect of healthcare chaplaincy.
* Engagement with audit, service evaluation or research.
* Teaching and training of healthcare professionals at a variety of levels.
Core Behaviours and Skills
* Capability to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively.
* Capability to make sound judgements and take personal responsibility and initiative.
* Resilience and adaptability in complex, unpredictable and challenging operating conditions.
* Practice professionally within recognised boundaries within pastorally diverse settings (as set out in the code of conduct).
* Create and lead ritual or other spiritual process in a way that is sensitive to the pastoral context and faith/belief needs of those present.
* Act as an informed theological, philosophical and ethical resource in complex pastoral and clinical situations.
Additional Information
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A submission for Disclosure and Barring Service (CRB) will be required to check for any previous convictions.
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.
Contact
Revd Ben Rhodes, Head of Chaplaincy Services
benrhodes@nhs.net
Telephone: (0113) 20 64658
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