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Job summary

Main area
Chaplaincy
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 6
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Part time - 6 hours per week
Job ref
374-LC4926
Employer
East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Cross-site Conquest/Bexhill/DGH
Town
Eastbourne
Salary
£38,682 - £46,580 per annum, pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
18/03/2026 23:59

Employer heading

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust logo

Chaplain

NHS AfC: Band 6

We are proud to provide ‘Outstanding’ care and be a great place to work.

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust provides safe, compassionate and high quality hospital and community care to the half a million people living in East Sussex and those who visit our local area. 


We are one of the largest organisations in East Sussex with an annual income of £700 million and we are the only integrated provider of acute and community care in Sussex. 


Our extensive health services are provided by over 8,000+ dedicated members of staff working from two acute hospitals in Hastings and Eastbourne, three community hospitals in Bexhill, Rye and Uckfield, over 100 community sites across East Sussex, and in people’s own homes. 


The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated us as ‘Good’ overall, and ‘Outstanding’ for being Caring and Effective. The Conquest Hospital in Hastings and our Community Services were rated ‘Outstanding’ and Eastbourne DGH was rated ‘Good’ Our two acute hospitals have Emergency Departments and provide 24 hour a day care, offering a comprehensive range of surgical, medical, outpatient and maternity services, supported by a full range of diagnostic and therapy services. 

 

Job overview

The postholder will work with the multi-disciplinary clinical teams to ensure that the pastoral, religious, emotional and spiritual needs of patients/visitors and staff are met.  The chaplain is required to support patients of any faith or belief or none.

The postholder will deliver chaplaincy services and contribute to the development of chaplaincy services.   The postholder will administer the sacraments upon request.

 The postholder will provide supervision, education and training to assistant chaplains and volunteers.

The postholder will organise religious services and manage own workload, surveys and audits as required

Responsibility and accountability for the delivery of chaplaincy services within the designated area of responsibility.

Able to provide pastoral, religious and spiritual support for distressed patients and visitors.

Able to carry out a spiritual needs assessment.

Able to plan religious services

Able to conduct baby cremation services and hospital contract funerals.

Responsibility and accountability for the delivery of chaplaincy services within the designated area of responsibility.

Able to provide pastoral, religious and spiritual support for distressed patients and visitors.

Able to carry out a spiritual needs assessment.

Able to plan religious services

Able to conduct baby cremation services and hospital contract funerals.

Undertake training and responsibility to maintain professional and clinical expertise, knowledge and skills.

 

Main duties of the job

Able to deputise for the Chaplain Team Manager during leave or absence

Able to react at short notice to requests for support and ad hoc services (e.g. Prayers for the dying, emergency marriages or memorial services)

Able to assist in the event of an emergency incident, including out of hours

To develop knowledge and understanding of the Trust Equality, Diversity and inclusion policies and to collaborate, as needed with Trust senior leadership team.

To follow the NHS Chaplaincy guidelines (2023) and the Trust Standard operating procedure for Chaplaincy, Pastoral and Spiritual care.

Maintain work-related records and adhere to confidentiality and information governance principles and is accountable for actions and decision making.

Able to offer specialist knowledge and advice on a range of religions and faiths and hospital related chaplaincy procedures.

Able to manage own workload and prioritise appropriately.

Working for our organisation

A wide range of staff benefits are available to our staff including staff development, enrolment in the NHS pension scheme, auto-enrolment to our Temporary Workforce Service, access to onsite nurseries. staff restaurants and accommodation.

In addition to an internal Occupational Health department, all staff also have access to free psychological support through our confidential Employee Assistance Programme. Onsite parking is available from only £50 a year. 

There has never been a better time to join East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, submit your application today.

Statement on the Use of AI

We value the individuality that each candidate brings to the application process. While we understand that AI tools are widely available, we strongly discourage applicants from using AI-generated content when applying for jobs with us. We believe that your application should reflect your true skills, experiences, and motivations, which are best conveyed through your own words and unique perspective.

Using AI for your application may not accurately represent your knowledge, skills, and experience and may result in a disconnect between your qualifications and our assessment of your application.

We encourage applicants to take the time to thoughtfully complete their applications; by doing so, you allow us to better understand your true potential and ensure a fair and transparent evaluation of your application. Over reliance on AI-generated content may diminish your chance of success.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the job description attached.

If you have any questions about this position please do not hesitate to contact us.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Registered Chaplain
  • Degree level qualification relevant to role
  • Professional qualification and training to offer pastoral, religious, spiritual support including relevant formal training/qualification to deliver the required procedures, advice and guidance
  • Evidence of mandatory and statutory essential training skills.

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience in delivering a range of procedures underpinned by theoretical knowledge across a range of religions and faiths

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Knowledge of a range of religions and faiths plus hospital related chaplaincy procedures
  • Knowledge of NHS Chaplaincy guidelines (2023) and the Trust Standard operating procedure for Chaplaincy, Pastoral and Spiritual care.
  • Ability to compare a range of complex facts before advising staff, patients or carers on spiritual issues
  • Able to support and supervise assistant chaplains
  • Able to work under own initiative and prioritise appropriately
  • Able to maintain work-related record keeping and documentation
  • Digital Skills, use of systems, report writing and presentation skills
  • Excellent communication skills and ability to provide and receive complex, sensitive information and provide reassurance and empathy.
  • Commitment to own professional and personal development
  • Resource management skills
  • Maintains confidentiality and information governance principles and is accountable for actions and decision making

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyDisability confident leaderImproving working livesCare quality commission - GoodArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardNational Preceptorship for Nursing Quality MarkGold Award 2026 - Wellbeing at Work - East Sussex

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.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Graham Atfield
Job title
Lead Chaplain
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
03001315308
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