At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a compassionate Chaplaincy Team, providing spiritual care to patients and staff.
- Company: The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, a world-leading cancer centre.
- Benefits: Flexible working, professional development, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to kindness, excellence, and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in patients' lives through holistic spiritual support.
- Qualifications: Experience in chaplaincy or pastoral care within healthcare settings.
The predicted salary is between 36827 - 45011 £ per year.
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced and compassionate individual to lead our Chaplaincy Team across our Chelsea and Sutton sites on a part-time basis (0.8 WTE). As a leading specialist cancer centre, The Royal Marsden delivers holistic, person-centred care that recognises and responds to the emotional, spiritual, pastoral, religious and non-religious needs of patients, families, visitors and staff. We are looking for a leader who embodies the Trust's values of Kindness, Pursuing Excellence, Pioneering and Working Together, ensuring that spiritual and pastoral care remains an integral part of the care we provide.
The successful candidate will lead the delivery and continued development of a high-quality, inclusive chaplaincy and spiritual care service across the Trust. They will support and coordinate a diverse team of chaplains and volunteers from a range of faith, belief and non-religious backgrounds, ensuring that every patient, family member and colleague has access to compassionate support that respects their individual values, culture, beliefs and preferences. Working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, the postholder will contribute to the holistic care of patients throughout their cancer journey, including diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, palliative care and end-of-life care. The role will also provide visible leadership in promoting compassionate, inclusive and personalised care for all.
Main duties of the job
This is an opportunity to lead and shape a service that is innovative and forward-looking, helping to pioneer new approaches to spiritual and pastoral care within a specialist cancer setting. The postholder will promote continuous improvement, pursue excellence in service delivery, and work collaboratively with colleagues and external partners to enhance the experience of patients, families, volunteers and staff. We welcome applications from individuals with significant experience of chaplaincy, spiritual care or equivalent pastoral support within a healthcare setting. Applicants should be able to demonstrate experience of leadership, service development and team management, together with excellent communication and relationship-building skills. Previous healthcare experience is essential, alongside a strong understanding of multidisciplinary working, safeguarding, confidentiality, equality, diversity and inclusion, and the complex needs of patients, families and staff within a specialist cancer environment.
If you are motivated by providing care with kindness, working collaboratively with others, pursuing excellence in all that you do, and helping to pioneer the future of spiritual and pastoral care in cancer services, we would welcome your application. This post is subject to enhanced DBS clearance and, where applicable, endorsement by the candidate's faith or belief community.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
- To visit and offer religious, spiritual and pastoral care to patients, their families and friends and staff in the wards and departments ensuring that all wards and departments of the Trust are visited by members of the Chaplaincy Team on a regular basis.
- To ensure that suitable religious rites and ceremonies are made available to all who require them without discrimination and in consultation with other staff where appropriate and as requested.
- When appropriate, to minister to the seriously ill or dying.
- 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 liaise with leaders of churches, mosques 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.
- To arrange, whenever possible, visits to patients by representatives of their own faith communities and traditions where necessary and when requested.
- Alongside medical, nursing and other healthcare professionals, to take an active part in the multi-disciplinary care of the patients of the hospital.
- To attend multi-disciplinary team meetings with Palliative Care and the Children’s Unit.
- To lead in developing the Chaplaincy service across the Trust and to ensure that the departmental strategy complies with nationally agreed guidelines for Healthcare Chaplaincy.
- To be responsible for the development and delivery of the strategy for the on-going provision and improvement of the Chaplaincy service.
- To attend mandatory training (as required by the Trust) and as highlighted by performance appraisal.
- To be committed to your own professional development and spiritual growth, which will include regular professional supervision and Spiritual Direction.
Person specification
- Masters degree in Theology or equivalent level of knowledge gained through theological formation.
- On-going academic study relating to pastoral care.
- Pastoral Care/Counselling qualification/training – or equivalent experience.
- Experience of pastoral ministry.
- Experience of working with those in distress.
- Experience of NHS / Understanding of how it works.
- Experience of working within a multi-faith team.
- Experience of chaplaincy within the NHS.
- Experience of managing teams.
- Good knowledge of Theology.
- Comprehensive knowledge of faith and belief systems to be able to work in a multi-cultural / multi-faith context.
- Ability to offer spiritual care beyond own denominational and faith boundaries with a commitment to an ecumenical / multifaith approach to chaplaincy.
- Proven ability to remain calm under pressure.
- Good organisational skills with proven ability to manage own workload and to set priorities.
- Computer skills: Word, Outlook, Web-search on Internet, basic Excel.
- Knowledge of equality and diversity issues.
The Royal Marsden values diversity and is committed to the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority groups. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and candidates with disabilities. As a Disability Confident Employer, we are working to create a workplace that enables all staff to reach their full potential. We are committed to this because we know that greater diversity and inclusion will lead to an even greater positive impact for the people we serve.
Lead Chaplain in London employer: Royal Marsden
The Royal Marsden in Kingston upon Thames is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises patient care and employee development. With a focus on teamwork and professional growth, staff members benefit from ongoing training opportunities and a commitment to maintaining a healthy work-life balance, making it a rewarding place to contribute to meaningful healthcare outcomes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Chaplain in London
✨Get Involved in Local Mental Health Initiatives
Join local mental health organisations and initiatives to immerse yourself in the community. Volunteering at workshops or support groups can not only boost your experience but also help you make valuable connections that might lead to part-time roles. It’s all about getting your name out there!
✨Attend Networking Events and Workshops
Keep an eye on workshops and networking events specifically for therapy and counselling professionals. These gatherings are prime opportunities to meet potential employers, hear about job openings, and engage in meaningful conversations with industry peers. Who knows who you might bump into!
✨Showcase Your Skills Online
Create a professional online presence highlighting your counselling approach and experiences. Consider starting a blog or sharing insights on social media about therapy methods. This can attract attention from local companies like Royal Marsden who are looking for someone like you for their part-time needs.
✨Directly Approach Local Clinics
Don't be shy about reaching out directly to clinics or counselling practices in your area. Many part-time roles are filled without ever being advertised. A friendly email introducing yourself and expressing interest in potential opportunities at Royal Marsden can sometimes lead to the job you’ve been dreaming of!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Chaplain in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Compassionate Side:In the therapy and counselling professions, it's crucial to convey your empathy and understanding in your application. Your CV should highlight any relevant volunteer work or experience in helping roles. Let’s face it, potential employers want to see that you can connect with clients, so showcase those soft skills front and centre!
Include Your Credentials:For a part-time role in therapy or counselling, it’s essential to demonstrate your qualifications. Make sure to include any degrees, certifications, or workshops that are relevant to the position. If you’ve completed specific training in mental health or counselling techniques, don’t skip those; they can set you apart from others.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Your cover letter is the perfect place to express your interest in working part-time and highlight your passion for helping others. Talk about why you’re drawn to Royal Marsden and how the part-time role fits into your career path. We're looking for a genuine connection, so let your personality shine through!
Availability Matters:Since this is a part-time role, clearly outline your availability in your application. Be honest about the hours you can commit, and consider mentioning if you have any flexibility. This helps Royal Marsden see how you can fit into their schedule and be a valuable addition to the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Marsden
✨Know Your Theoretical Frameworks
It's crucial for us to brush up on the therapy techniques and theoretical frameworks relevant to this field. Be prepared to discuss how you apply them in practice—think about specific case studies from your training that highlight your approach. This not only shows your understanding but also helps you connect with your potential clients at Royal Marsden.
✨Practice Your Active Listening Skills
Since we're diving into therapy and counselling, active listening is our bread and butter. You might face role-play scenarios during the interview, so make sure to showcase your ability to listen and respond empathetically. Demonstrating this skill can make all the difference in how we're perceived as future therapists.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility With Clients
In a part-time role, we often deal with a diverse client base, so it’s important to showcase our adaptability. Be ready to discuss how you can tailor your therapeutic approach to fit different client needs. Sharing any past experiences—whether from internships or coursework—will provide great insights to Royal Marsden about your versatility.
✨Prepare Your Questions on Working with Diverse Populations
Part-time roles can sometimes mean working with a variety of clients from different backgrounds. Think of specific questions to ask about how Royal Marsden supports inclusivity and handles diverse cases. This not only highlights your interest but also shows that you’ve thought ahead about client dynamics and your role within them.
