Job vacancy: Hospital Chaplain, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, Stockton-on-Tees

Job summary

Main area

Chaplain

Grade

NHS AfC: Band 6

Contract

Permanent

Hours

Full time
Part time

37.5 hours per week (Occasional on-call duties and weekend cover)

Job ref

345-WOM7415262

Employer: North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: North Tees Hospital
Town: Stockton-on-Tees
Salary: Dependant on Experience
Closing: 11/09/2025 23:59
Interview date: 01/10/2025

Hospital Chaplain

NHS AfC: Band 6

At North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, our main priority is, and always will be, providing safe and high quality care to our patients every day; the kind of care we would want for ourselves and our loved ones.

If you share our passion then apply for this opportunity and help us make our patients’ experience the best it can possibly be.

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital-based services to the population of Hartlepool, Stockton on Tees and parts of East Durham and Sedgefield as well as community, therapeutic and screening to a wider population across Durham and Teesside.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1. To share in the spiritual and pastoral care of patients, staff and visitors in the hospitals and departments of the Trust, whether or not they uphold a particular faith tradition or not, by visiting patients and staff in the wards and departments regularly and thereby maintaining high visibility and availability, as directed by the Lead Chaplain

2. To respond on a daily basis to patients who are approaching the end of their life and to offer pastoral and spiritual support to them and their families at this difficult time.

3. To support families and staff at times of baby loss with the provision of sensitive pastoral care and conducting services of blessing as appropriate.

4. To conduct hospital funerals for babies and adults, and other funerals taking guidance from chaplaincy policy & practice.

5. To respond to requests for the care and support of patients and staff in accordance with any service level agreements with local hospice and community services.

6. To participate in the chaplaincy on-call service, including the Trust’s major incident plan.

7. To meet any particular denominational responsibilities whilst also respecting and honouring the requirements and traditions of those of different denominations or faiths.

8. To share in the services of public worship in the Chapel/Oasis spiritual centre and in other suitable places and to administer the sacraments as appropriate. This may on occasion include the administration of infant Baptism.

9. To take opportunities for training and development in Chaplaincy matters, and to establish suitable personal support.

10. To maintain links with the local and wider spiritual leaders, as well as other community links (within the limits of confidentiality), in order to facilitate appropriate and continuing spiritual care for those admitted to and discharged from hospital.

11. To work at all times within the standards set by the Chaplaincy Team.

12. To work cross-site as required.

13. To welcome new members of staff and collaborate in the induction process where required.

14. To ensure appropriate electronic and paper records are maintained about the work of Chaplaincy in accordance with patient confidentiality.

15. To share in the communication to patients, staff and visitors about the work of Chaplaincy.

16. To share in the recruitment, training and support of volunteer visitors as required, and to be responsible with the Lead Chaplain for the deployment, coordination and support of volunteers.

17. To work under the direction of the Lead Chaplain to provide teaching as required.

18. Under the direction of the Lead Chaplain, to have responsibility and care of the chapel/Oasis spirituality centre facilities, including the multi-faith prayer rooms, ensuring the re-stocking of supplies and equipment as necessary.

19. Demonstrate commitment to IWI- principles and flexible working patterns, to meet the needs of the service and staff

16. Tackle discrimination and harassment, and promote equality and diversity in the workplace

17. Reduce sickness absence; work place accidents; and promote zero tolerance on violence against staff

18. Take responsibility for personal development and education and the development of a Personal Development

Control of Infection

Be aware of, and comply with, all Trust infection prevention and control policies, to include hand hygiene, personal hygiene, environmental and food hygiene. To undertake annual training/updates in infection prevention and control.

Safeguarding

Be aware of and comply with all Trust Safeguarding policies and procedures and undertake safeguarding training as required according to your training needs analysis.

Communication and Working Relationships

The chaplain will be responsible for developing and maintaining communication flows to both internal and external groups of complex/sensitive information, under supervision of the Lead Chaplain.

They will:

· attend, contribute to and participate in team meetings.

· maintain and promote effective communication within the Chaplaincy team.

· share with the other chaplains in the management and supervision of chaplaincy volunteers.

· develop and maintain good relationships with local parish and other relevant communities.

· communicate with other members of the Trust as required in order to promote and further develop the chaplaincy service.

The most challenging part of the job

Managing emotional and spiritual intensity.

· Chaplains are regularly exposed to intense suffering and are required to provide complex and sensitive support in a context of highly charged and sometimes competing emotions.

Ethical Dilemmas.

· Chaplains are required to hold space for conflicting views in sensitive and emotive topics.

Limited Resources.

· Seeking to address the ever-growing and complex spiritual and pastoral demands of a busy acute hospital with limited resources.

Challenging Misconceptions: “Chaplains only deal with prayer and death”

· Yes, chaplains deal with prayer and death, but not exclusively. Gently educating and reassuring a constantly changing workforce and patient population about the holistic, inclusive, non-judgmental nature of pastoral and spiritual care is a constant challenge.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

This post is deemed to require a Disclosure Check – Enhanced Level with the DBS. This is due to the fact the post has access to children or vulnerable adults. Further information on the Disclosure Service is available from www.disclosure.gov.uk

This job description is intended as a guide to the duties and responsibilities of the post and should not be regarded as a complete list of those required to be fulfilled under the ‘written statement of the main terms and conditions of employment’. The contents may be amended from time to time subject to developing service needs although such amendment would occur following appropriate consultation with the post-holder.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

Necessary authorization and accreditation by relevant faith group

Desirable criteria

Level 6 degree or demonstrative equivalent experience

Experience

Essential criteria

Experience of providing structured and sustained pastoral care
Experience of working within an NHS chaplaincy team

Desirable criteria

Experience of working with Palliative and end-of-life care patients & their families

Skills

Essential criteria

Extensive & demonstrable skills in Pastoral care
Knowledge of and sensitivity to a range of religions & faiths
Awareness of the NHS and current issues

Desirable criteria

Teaching & presentation skills
Counselling experience

management/Supervision

Essential criteria

Ability to self motivate and mange caseload

Communication

Essential criteria

Good inter-personal, communication skills and self-awareness
Ability to communicate clearly and sensitively in highly emotional scenarios

Other

Essential criteria

Ability to represent the chaplaincy service competently and professionally within the Trust
Committed to the spiritual and pastoral care of the sick, vulnerable and dying
Ability to link the Trust and the community
Ability to work alone and as a member of an ecumenical team
Car Driver

Please be aware: Once sufficient applications have been received this vacancy may close early.

Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS)

It is the policy of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, that all successful candidates who are new to the Trust who require DBS clearance for the post they have been offered, are required to pay the cost for their DBS certificate. The method of payment for this is via salary deduction from your first month's pay on commencement with the Trust. The DBs check will be undertaken during the pre-employment check screening.

Qualifications
Please note the essential qualifications required for the post are outlined within the Person Specification. You are required to provide original evidence of the necessary qualifications for the post at interview should you be shortlisted. You will also be required to provide original copies as part of the pre-employment check screening.

New Starters – Probationary Period

For any new employees commencing employment with North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, you will be subject to satisfactory completion of a 6 month probationary period. Please note that internal applications and individuals that are appointed to fixed term appointments of less than 6 months duration are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or a bank member of staff).

Employment References

As part of our pre-employment screening process, all applicants are required to provide references covering their last three years employment history including any gaps. Applicants are requested to ensure e-mail addresses for all referees are included on their application form. Personal references are not acceptable.

Working Hours

If the hours advertised for the post are up to full time (37.5 hours per week), applications are still welcomed from individuals who may be seeking to work less than full-time hours and all requests will be considered in line with the post being appointed to for the successful applicant.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The details in the Monitoring Information section of your application will be used for monitoring our recruitment process and will not be seen by the interview panel. The information you give will be treated in the strictest confidence. To meet its commitment to promoting equality of opportunity, the Trust’s policy is that individuals will be recruited, trained and promoted according to ability and job requirements only. As such we welcome your application irrespective of your gender, race, disability, colour, ethnic or national origin, and nationality, and marital status, responsibility for dependants, religion, trade union activity and age.

Right to Work in the UK

The Trust welcomes applications from all candidates who meet the criteria for the role. Please note that from January 2021, to work in the UK all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship unless they have permission to work via another route. Non UK/RoI candidates wishing to apply can self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship here: Work in the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Please provide full and accurate details of your current immigration status on the application form. Your current immigration status will not be considered as part of the shortlisting or interview process.

Please note that not everyone needs a ‘Skilled Worker’ visa. If you are applying for health or adult social care, you may be eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead.

We are able to offer sponsorship for a Health and Care Worker or Skilled Worker visa, subject to candidate and position eligibility. Please review the job eligibility guidance for skilled workers here:Skilled Worker visa: Your job - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

and for the Health and Care Worker visa here: Skilled Worker visa: eligible healthcare and education jobs - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Please note: if the job you are applying for does not meet the eligibility criteria above, we will be unable to offer you sponsorship and you will need to explore whether you may be eligible to apply for an alternative immigration route which will secure your right to work in the UK before you apply. If you are in the UK already on a visa, please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post.

Disability

The Trust gives full and fair consideration to applications for employment received from disabled people. We are a “Positive about Disabled People” employer, and we hold the ‘two ticks’ Disability Symbol, which is a recognition given by Jobcentre Plus to employers who have agreed to meet five commitments regarding the recruitment, employment, retention and career development of disabled people. If you have a disability, which makes it difficult for you to complete our application form, please do not hesitate to contact the recruitment team on 01642 383200.

Armed Forces Covenant

As a supporter of the Armed Forces and an employer of Reservists, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust are proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, which is a promise by the nation to ensure that those who serve or who have served in the UK Armed Forces (and their families) are treated fairly.

We recognise that reservists and veterans bring a variety of transferable skills and qualities to our workplace, developed through their military careers. Our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces Community has been recognised through the Armed Forces Covenant as a Silver Employer.

Further Important Information

Please check your email on a regular basis for updates on your application. If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be invited to email via this method.

Please ensure you read the ‘Guidance Notes for Applicants’ document attached to this advert before completing and submitting your application.

Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - Silver

Mindful employer. Being positive about mental health.

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name: Revd. Jim Wright
Job title: Lead Chaplain
Email address: [email protected]
Telephone number: 07919695336

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Job summary

Employer heading

Hospital Chaplain

NHS AfC: Band 6

Job overview

Main duties of the job

Working for our organisation

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

Desirable criteria

Experience

Essential criteria

Desirable criteria

Skills

Essential criteria

Desirable criteria

management/Supervision

Essential criteria

Communication

Essential criteria

Other

Essential criteria

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

Documents to download

Further details / informal visits contact

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