Chaplain

The role offers an experience of Chaplaincy that is as imaginative as you are. You
could be working alongside a music therapist, being part of a gardening project,
working with poetry and art, giving insight at a Multidisciplinary Team meeting from
a patient’s exploration of meaning in their relationships, enabling reflective and
sacred space and engagement in erstwhile clinical rooms, walking with patients
literally and metaphorically, colouring in, articulating the value of spirituality and
religion in a variety of contexts, to name but a few examples.

The role will give you a rare insight into the range of human experience and the compassion, skill and care that is offered by a talented and creative staff. You will be part of that, and your skills
as a practitioner will be integrated and respected, but not at the expense of your
humanity, which will be your most valued contribution, enriched by your specific
spiritual and religious experience.

As a member of the Chaplaincy Team, you will use your skills and imagination to
contribute to the delivery of appropriate and sensitive spiritual, pastoral, and
religious care. This provision is for patients, staff, and visitors across the Trust. The
provision is offered equally for those of faith/belief and those who do not identify
with any religion.

Contribute to the effective working of the Chaplaincy Team strengthening communication and collaboration, participate in group work, respond to referrals, and take creative initiative.

Offer pastoral and spiritual care by listening, reflecting, giving time, advocacy, and attention above all else.

Provide or facilitate religious care in response to requests, by offering gathering points for reflection and worship, integrating wherever possible a multi faith presence and participating in the broadening conversation across faith and belief in society.

Provide support for staff by being there, attending team meetings, developing trust and support, learning the language of mental health care, creating an accessible profile and modelling respect, affirmation, and encouragement.

Enabling training and education for staff to promote an understanding around the role of spirituality and religion in healthcare.

Ensure personal and professional development by making full use of supervision and appraisal, identifying learning needs and complying with the requirements of the UK Board of Healthcare Chaplaincy Code of Conduct, Spiritual & Religious Care Capabilities & Competencies for Healthcare Chaplains, and Standards for Healthcare Chaplaincy Services.

At Dorset HealthCare we’re on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We’re a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here – it’s one of the reasons the CQC rated us ‘outstanding’ in 2019. It’s also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you’re looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do, and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities, and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you’ll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don’t know. And you’ll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion, and expertise in all we do.

A person-centred approach will be your way of working and we look forward to
hearing of your experience. This role requires experienced and proficient pastoral
practitioners. It requires the ability, where required, to facilitate religious rites and
sacraments. Chaplains practice in accordance with the Guidelines and Code of
Conduct of the UK Board of Healthcare Chaplaincy.

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.