Department: Patient and Family Support Team

/ Marie Curie Cancer Care
Job description

Job title: Chaplain

Job reference:NO1861

Location:Hampstead Hospice

Reports to: Principal Social Worker

Accountable to:Hospice Manager

Job Purpose/Summary

The Chaplain is a member of the Patient and Family Support Team, The role of the Chaplain isto deliver the chaplaincy service within the framework of the Hospice in its provision of Specialist Palliative Care providing leadership and co–ordination for the delivery of Spiritual and Religious Care to patients, families / carers, staff and volunteers.

The Chaplain, as a full member of the multidisciplinary team (MDT), delivers the chaplaincy service and undertakes related responsibilities delivering Spiritual & Religious Care as the clinical specialist for Healthcare Chaplaincy.

The Chaplain facilitates and supports others to access their own spiritual resources, communities or traditions or addresses spiritual and existential questions in conversation where and when appropriate and upon request. The post holder provides informed ethical, theological, spiritual, religious and pastoral resources for individuals and groups. The Chaplain also contributes to the hospice education, training and research programme.

The Chaplain facilitates the provision of appropriate space and facilities for worship as well as religious expression and observance, reflecting the faith groups represented in the unit, and in response to individual needs.

Accountabilities (Duties & Responsibilities)

Professional

To undertakean effective assessment of the spiritual, religious and pastoral care of patients, carers and families, staff and volunteers in the hospice and in day therapy / day care
To attend weekly multidisciplinary meetings (MDT) and contribute to the assessment, planning and delivery of holistic patient care, having an awareness of the insights of other healthcare professionals

To be aware of and respect the patients’ and relatives’ wishes as to whether they would like receive Spiritual & Religious Care
To contact a patient’s or relative’s own faith representative/ community upon request and when permission is granted

To network, build and maintain good relationships with local faith leaders as well as ethnic groups and communities
To be responsible for updating staff to ensure that they are aware of the links with other faith leaders and communities and are able to contact them when requested
To develop and coordinate, a voluntary chaplaincy team and to meet regularly with them, individually and as a team to offer support, supervision, annual appraisal and professional development
To give advice and recommend, in consultation with the Principal Social Worker, in the selection and appointment of new members of the chaplaincy team and to facilitate the induction programme

To network with Spiritual and Religious Care providers and chaplains of other hospices
To be a full member of the Association of Hospice and Palliative Care Chaplains (AHPCC) with active involvement in the work of the Association’s local group and nationwide activities as well as appropriate and relevant local groups and initiatives
To be registered with the UK Board of Healthcare Chaplains (UKBHC), to meet the Board’s standards and to maintain registration through Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
To maintain and manage the Hospice’s “Quiet Room” providing a space that’s accessible 24/7 and can be used by individuals and small groups for contemplation, reflection, meditation, prayer, commemoration or other activities related to Spiritual & Religious Care
To be responsible for ensuring that adequate provision is made for individual’s religious care honouring the person’s tradition and choices
To liaise with the Principal Social Worker in planning and organisation of special events such as regular and annual memorial gatherings
To respond to traumatic events in which staff members would seek and benefit from support, guidance and the presence of the Chaplain
To develop the business plan for Spiritual & Religious Care in consultation with the Principal Social Worker and determine the overall objectives and resource requirements of the chaplaincy service and vision for the future
To be aware of multicultural and inter-religious issues in the community served by the hospice and to ensure that cultural and religious needs are met by the MDT

To be involved in the delivery and development of the Bereavement Service.
To be a resource to families arranging funerals. When the chaplain is requested to conduct the funeral service of a MCCC patient, the chaplain, in consultation with the Principal Social Worker will decide the appropriateness of conducting the funeral
To have an knowledgeof the effects of working in a hospice environment on all staff and volunteers and an ability to contribute to staff support
Uphold ethical and professional standards and not behave in a manner that is likely to bring the Charity into disrepute.
Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing registration requirements or any national professional or occupational standards associated with the role.
To meet the Standards for Hospice and Palliative Care Chaplaincy (AHPCC, 2006).
To ensure the Hospice meets the relevant NICE Guidelines or Clinical Standards (NICE, 2004 Section 7: EnglandWales; CSBS, 2002: Scotland).

Educational

To implement policy in line with best practice in relation to standards and competencies

To be an ethical, theological and pastoral resource for the Hospice

To teach at induction sessions of staff and volunteers on the subject of Spiritual and Religious Care
To have the responsibility of education of staff concerning the spiritual, religious and pastoral care components of holistic care

To leadthe development and implementation of chaplaincy standards and competencies within the Hospice

To plan, develop and teachin the context of the unit’s delivery of internal and external education and training in the areas of Spiritual & Religious Care, religious subject and topics, loss and bereavement

To supervise chaplaincy students on placement in the Hospice and / or students on placement with the Bereavement Support Service from a recognised university counselling course
To plan, prepare and deliver at speaking engagements, official functions and conferences in consultation with the Principal Social Worker and in doing so raise awareness of the Hospice and promote understanding of its work
To attend and participate in meetings as requested by the Hospice Manager such as Clinical Research & Audit, Clinical Governance, Workforce Development Steering Group
To share developments within chaplaincy both locally and nationally to interested parties
To have an annual appraisal by the Principal Social Worker and to be committed to agreed study and training as part of the chaplain’s own professional development
To be aware of own spiritual formation and take opportunities for reflective practice

Administrative

To be responsible for effective communication within the chaplaincy team and wider MDT in relation to the provision of Spiritual & Religious Care
To be responsible for accurate chaplaincy records of relating to patients and carers within the multidisciplinary notes
To be responsible for statistical evidence of patient / carer contact by the chaplaincy team by way of recording relevant data electronically
To ensure that practice is evidence based and undertakes relevant research

General
In addition to the specific duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description, all Marie Curie Cancer Care employees should be aware of their specific responsibilities towards the following:

Marie Curie Cancer Care is committed to encouraging volunteering throughout the organisation and as such the post holder will be expected to support and respect volunteers, and may be asked to work alongside or supervise a volunteer as part of their role whilst working at Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Marie Curie Cancer Care operates a no-smoking policy. The post holder should either be a non-smoker or be prepared not to smoke in any Charity premises, grounds or vehicles or when on Marie Curie Cancer Care business outside the office.

Adhere to all health and safety and fire regulationsand to co-operate with the Charity in maintaining good standards of health and safety.

Adhere to all Marie Curie Cancer Care policies and procedures at all times

Actively promote and support the safeguarding of vulnerable adults, young people and children, observing and adhering to Marie Curie Cancer care policies on safeguarding

Uphold ethical and professional standards and not behave in a manner that is likely to bring the Charity into disrepute.

Promote and sustain a responsible attitude towards equal opportunities and diversity within the Charity.

Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing registration requirements or any national professional or occupational standards associated with the role.

Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing learning and development and to participate in any training relevant to the role.

For designated roles, the post holder will be responsible for health & safety, business continuity planning and/or risk management. (These responsibilities will be notified on appointment).

This job description is not exhaustive. It merely acts as a guide and may be amended to meet the changing requirements of the charity at any time after discussion with the post holder.

/ Marie Curie Cancer Care
Person Specification

Job title:Chaplain

Job reference:NO1861

Criteria / Essential / Desirable / How assessed
Skills / Abilities / - Ability to plan and work effectively within a multi-disciplinary environment
- Understanding the characteristics of an effective Spiritual & Religious Care service
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
- Excellent teaching and presentation skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Ability to form professional relationships and work with other professionals / agencies
- Ability to demonstrate leadership and provide a clear vision for the Spiritual & Religious Care service and the skills to present that vision to a multi-disciplinary team
- Good and effective approach to personal time management
- Ability and openness to work with people of all faiths and none
- Ability to plan, co-ordinate and deliver appropriate education
- To be able to encourage and equip others with the ability to deliver spiritual support and care
- Adaptable and flexible in working environment
- Good and relevant Information Technology (IT) skills / - Application form/interview/CV
Knowledge /

- Awareness of current issues in Palliative Care and Healthcare Chaplaincy
- Standards of Professional Practice and Code of Conduct
- Research, audit and standard setting
- Knowledge of spiritual and religious issues around end-of-life care, loss and bereavement

/ - Knowledge and experience of counselling skills / - Interview/ Application Form/CV
Qualifications,
training and education / - Ordained Faith Representative or person with acknowledged status within his/her faith community
- Theological qualification from recognised university or similar / - Professional qualification in healthcare, counselling, education or equivalent
- Post graduate qualification in Palliative Care / - Application form / CV
Experience / - Recent or present experience in working in a spiritual care role within the last three years
- Experience working in a faith community or in chaplaincy, or similar life experience
- Ability of being able to work within a multi-disciplinary team / - Experience of working in a Palliative Care environment or Healthcare Chaplaincy
- Management experience in a pastoral care setting
- To have solid knowledge and personal experience of other faith communities through active interfaith engagement / - Interview / CV
Other requirements / - Integrity, warmth, maturity, sensitivity, sense of humour and perspective
- Self awareness
- Approachable and compassionate
- Effective listener and empathetic
- Ability to enthuse, inspire and empower others in relation to the provision of spiritual care
- Openness to others
- Respect for others regarding their lifestyle, life orientation, belief system and faith journey
- Self-motivated and an ability to work alone or as part of MDT
- Ability to maintain his / her own spiritual life, ensuring adequate support from own faith community / - Interview
/ Marie Curie Cancer Care
Terms and Conditions

Job titleChaplain

Job referenceNO1861

Salary scaleBand 6 Agenda for Change

Annual leave entitlement35 days (including 8 bank holidays)

Job TypePermanent

Notice periodOne Month (after probationary period)

Working hours 26.5 hours per week

Probationary periodSix months

Disclosure Check Enhanced

Otherbenefits

Continued access to NHS Pension Scheme (subject to eligibility)
Marie Curie Cancer Care Group Personal Pension Scheme
Season ticket loan
Loan schemes for bikes; computers and satellite navigation systems

Closing date: 21st February 2014 at 5pm

To apply please visit our website reference number NO1861

Please email your application form to

Marie Curie Cancer Care aims to be an employer of choice and is committed to equal opportunities.

Charity reg no. 207994 (England & Wales), SCO38731 (Scotland).