East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Chaplain

This job is now closed

Job summary

The postholder will work with the multi-disciplinary clinical teams to ensure that the pastoral, religious, emotional and spiritual needs of patients/visitors and staff are met. The chaplain is required to support patients of any faith or belief or none.

The postholder will deliver chaplaincy services and contribute to the development of chaplaincy services. The postholder will administer the sacraments upon request.

The postholder will provide supervision, education and training to assistant chaplains and volunteers.

The postholder will organise religious services and manage own workload, surveys and audits as required

Responsibility and accountability for the delivery of chaplaincy services within the designated area of responsibility.

Able to provide pastoral, religious and spiritual support for distressed patients and visitors.

Able to carry out a spiritual needs assessment.

Able to plan religious services

Able to conduct baby cremation services and hospital contract funerals.

Responsibility and accountability for the delivery of chaplaincy services within the designated area of responsibility.

Able to provide pastoral, religious and spiritual support for distressed patients and visitors.

Able to carry out a spiritual needs assessment.

Able to plan religious services

Able to conduct baby cremation services and hospital contract funerals.

Undertake training and responsibility to maintain professional and clinical expertise, knowledge and skills.

Main duties of the job

Able to deputise for the Chaplain Team Manager during leave or absence

Able to react at short notice to requests for support and ad hoc services (e.g. Prayers for the dying, emergency marriages or memorial services)

Able to assist in the event of an emergency incident, including out of hours

To develop knowledge and understanding of the Trust Equality, Diversity and inclusion policies and to collaborate, as needed with Trust senior leadership team.

To follow the NHS Chaplaincy guidelines (2023) and the Trust Standard operating procedure for Chaplaincy, Pastoral and Spiritual care.

Maintain work-related records and adhere to confidentiality and information governance principles and is accountable for actions and decision making.

Able to offer specialist knowledge and advice on a range of religions and faiths and hospital related chaplaincy procedures.

Able to manage own workload and prioritise appropriately.

About us

A wide range of staff benefits are available to our staff including staff development, enrolment in the NHS pension scheme, auto-enrolment to our Temporary Workforce Service, access to onsite nurseries. staff restaurants and accommodation.

In addition to an internal Occupational Health department, all staff also have access to free psychological support through our confidential Employee Assistance Programme. Onsite parking is available from only £50 a year.

There has never been a better time to join East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, submit your application today.

Statement on the Use of AI

We value the individuality that each candidate brings to the application process. While we understand that AI tools are widely available, we strongly discourage applicants from using AI-generated content when applying for jobs with us. We believe that your application should reflect your true skills, experiences, and motivations, which are best conveyed through your own words and unique perspective.

Using AI for your application may not accurately represent your knowledge, skills, and experience and may result in a disconnect between your qualifications and our assessment of your application.

We encourage applicants to take the time to thoughtfully complete their applications; by doing so, you allow us to better understand your true potential and ensure a fair and transparent evaluation of your application. Over reliance on AI-generated content may diminish your chance of success.

Date posted

10 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

374-LC4926

Job locations

Cross-site Conquest/Bexhill/DGH

Eastbourne

BN21 2UD

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the job description attached.

If you have any questions about this position please do not hesitate to contact us.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the job description attached.

If you have any questions about this position please do not hesitate to contact us.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Registered Chaplain
Degree level qualification relevant to role
Professional qualification and training to offer pastoral, religious, spiritual support including relevant formal training/qualification to deliver the required procedures, advice and guidance
Evidence of mandatory and statutory essential training skills.

Experience

Essential

Experience in delivering a range of procedures underpinned by theoretical knowledge across a range of religions and faiths

Skills

Essential

Knowledge of a range of religions and faiths plus hospital related chaplaincy procedures
Knowledge of NHS Chaplaincy guidelines (2023) and the Trust Standard operating procedure for Chaplaincy, Pastoral and Spiritual care.
Ability to compare a range of complex facts before advising staff, patients or carers on spiritual issues
Able to support and supervise assistant chaplains
Able to work under own initiative and prioritise appropriately
Able to maintain work-related record keeping and documentation
Digital Skills, use of systems, report writing and presentation skills
Excellent communication skills and ability to provide and receive complex, sensitive information and provide reassurance and empathy.
Commitment to own professional and personal development
Resource management skills
Maintains confidentiality and information governance principles and is accountable for actions and decision making

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Registered Chaplain
Degree level qualification relevant to role
Professional qualification and training to offer pastoral, religious, spiritual support including relevant formal training/qualification to deliver the required procedures, advice and guidance
Evidence of mandatory and statutory essential training skills.

Experience

Essential

Experience in delivering a range of procedures underpinned by theoretical knowledge across a range of religions and faiths

Skills

Essential

Knowledge of a range of religions and faiths plus hospital related chaplaincy procedures
Knowledge of NHS Chaplaincy guidelines (2023) and the Trust Standard operating procedure for Chaplaincy, Pastoral and Spiritual care.
Ability to compare a range of complex facts before advising staff, patients or carers on spiritual issues
Able to support and supervise assistant chaplains
Able to work under own initiative and prioritise appropriately
Able to maintain work-related record keeping and documentation
Digital Skills, use of systems, report writing and presentation skills
Excellent communication skills and ability to provide and receive complex, sensitive information and provide reassurance and empathy.
Commitment to own professional and personal development
Resource management skills
Maintains confidentiality and information governance principles and is accountable for actions and decision making

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).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Certificate of Sponsorship

Employer details

Employer name

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

Cross-site Conquest/Bexhill/DGH

Eastbourne

BN21 2UD

Employer's website

http://jobs.esht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

Cross-site Conquest/Bexhill/DGH

Eastbourne

BN21 2UD

Employer's website

http://jobs.esht.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)