Job summary
The Chaplain is a member of a team which meets the spiritual, religious and pastoral needs of the Trust's patients, carers and staff, within a framework of user choice, appropriate to their cultural and religious background and within resources available.
The chaplain works with service users, staff, volunteers and carers, their associated community-based services and faith/belief communities.
Main duties of the job
To provide specialised advice in relation to spiritual careTo visit allocated hospital wards and departments on a regular basis and be available to provide spiritual and/or pastoral support to patients, families, carers and staff, both on a one-to-one basis and in group settings.To visit service users in their own homes and other community settings.To identify and address complex spiritual and religious needs in pastoral encounters.To assess the spiritual and religious needs of service users and seek to meet those needs or refer on.To provide counsel to service users, families and carers in difficult circumstances, e.g. following unexpected serious incident and bereavement.To take funeral services for service users or their families where appropriate.To support staff in breaking bad news to service users, and supporting the aftermath of this.To contribute to service development and research.To build effective working relationships with the multi-disciplinary teams within Trust and with partner organisations, including Recovery Colleges, and to work with those teams when invited to offer specialised skills and advice to other clinicians to meet patient and service needs.
About us
We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please find attached job description for full details.
Advertising date : 29th October 2026
Closing date : 12th November 2026
We welcome your application.
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential
- Degree-level qualification or equivalent
- Accreditation by a faith or belief community
Desirable
- Degree in theology or chaplaincy studies
- Relevant professional qualification
- Counselling qualification European Computer Driving Licence or equivalent
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable committed practice within his or her own faith/belief system
- Facilitating of formal and informal group sessions
- Professional experience of working in co-operation with others
- Inter-faith team work
- Broad experience of offering pastoral care in a voluntary or paid capacity
- A general understanding of the National Health Service.
- A general understanding of community care issues
- A good understanding of the teaching and practice of own faith / belief system.
- Knowledge of a range of approaches to prayer and spirituality.
- Understanding of the interrelationship between and role of religion, spirituality and culture.
- Understanding of the role and ethos of chaplaincy in the public sector
Desirable
- Worked as a chaplain in the NHS for two years
- Care of people with mental health problems or learning disabilities, or of elderly people
- An understanding of learning disabilities the care of elderly people rehabilitation services
- Working knowledge of a range of faiths other than own faith or belief system
Skills and Competencies
Essential
- Listening and counselling skills
- Proven analytical and decisionmaking skills
- Ability to work in an inter-faith team A proven ability to develop and manage own workload
- A proven ability to reflect theologically and/or ethically
- Ability to handle difficult situations in a safe way
- Ability to travel between sites and venues
- Training and teaching skills
- Competency in leading discussions
- Competency in leading a wide range of acts of worship/ceremonies, according to faith tradition or belief system
- IT literacy for email and documents
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust
Address
St Nicholas Hospital
Jubilee Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE3 3XT
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.cntw.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)
Chaplain in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: CNTW
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff. With a strong focus on person-centred care, employees benefit from a supportive work culture, regular supervision, and opportunities for professional growth within a dynamic healthcare environment in Newcastle upon Tyne. Join us to make a meaningful impact while advancing your career in a compassionate and collaborative team.
