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Job summary

Main area
Chaplaincy
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 6
Contract
Bank
Hours
  • Flexible working
  • Other
adhoc
Job ref
282-Bank_Chaplain-2026
Employer
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
The Royal Marsden Hospital Chelsea
Town
Chelsea
Closing
17/02/2026 23:59

Employer heading

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust logo

Bank Chaplain

NHS AfC: Band 6

Job overview

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, world-class cancer centre, is seeking to recruit a Bank Christian Chaplain to join a multi-faith and multi-denominational team, serving a mixed population and providing high quality pastoral, spiritual and religious care to patients, carers, visitors and staff. Significant prior pastoral experience is essential and previous practice in healthcare would be desirable, together with a willingness to work respectfully with people of all faiths and beliefs. The post is split between Sutton, Surrey and Chelsea sites. 

For more information, please contact Rev’d Tasha Critchlow on [email protected].

Main duties of the job

To be a Christian chaplain to the Chelsea Hospital offering pastoral, spiritual and religious care to those of all religious traditions and none.

To make assessment of the emotional and spiritual needs of patients, their families and friends and our staff and arrange the appropriate response with available resources; providing on-going support while a patient is receiving treatment in the organization.

To visit and offer pastoral care to patients, their families and friends and staff in the wards and departments.

When appropriate to minister to the seriously ill or dying, to hear confession and to assure forgiveness, to minister healing through the laying on of hands and the anointing of the sick. To minister the sacrament of Holy Communion when requested.

To pray with and / or for patients, their families and friends, and staff.

To conduct regular and occasional services of public worship in the chapels and elsewhere in the Trust as appropriate, according to the rites of your own church or denomination and/or ecumenically as required, publicising and arranging times of worship in consultation with the Lead Chaplain.

Working for our organisation

The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 3,900 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals – one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey – as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital

At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.

At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits and learning and development opportunities. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To provide for the spiritual and religious needs of our patients and their families and friends who are unable to be in contact with their regular church or faith community.

To conduct occasional baptisms and marriage blessings as required and at your discretion and following discussion with the Lead Chaplain.

To liaise with leaders of churches and other faith communities with respect to the pastoral care of their members who may also be our patients, always bearing in mind the rules of confidentiality by which every NHS employee is bound.

Alongside medical, nursing and other healthcare professionals take an active part in the multi-disciplinary care of the patients of the hospital.

Person specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Ordained, Commissioned (or equivalent) and capable of being licensed by your bishop (or equivalent)
  • First degree in Theology or equivalent level of knowledge gained through theological formation
  • Commitment to on-going professional development relating to pastoral care.
Desirable criteria
  • Pastoral Care/Counselling qualification/training
  • Accreditation with UKBHC or eligibility to obtain accreditation

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of pastoral ministry
  • Experience of working with those in distress.
Desirable criteria
  • Recent experience of NHS chaplaincy
  • Experience of working within a multi-faith team.

Skills Abilities/knowledge

Essential criteria
  • To communicate well both in writing and conversation.
  • Computer skills: Word, Outlook, Web-search on Internet, basic Excel, MS Teams, Zoom
  • Good organizational skills with proven ability to manage own workload and to set priorities.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Trust IDApprenticeships logoLondon Living Wage is a voluntary commitment made by employers, who can become accredited with the Living Wage FoundationArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardDisability confident employerCare quality commission - OutstandingStep into health

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

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
Rev'd Tasha Critchlow
Job title
Lead Chaplain
Email address
[email protected]

If you have problems applying, contact

Address
Recruitment Support Team
Telephone
01629 690825
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