Healthcare Chaplain

Found in: beBee S IE - 4 weeks ago

Donnybrook, Ireland The Royal Hospital Donnybrook Remote Work Freelance Full time

Job title: Healthcare Chaplain 0.5 WTE


Reports to: Director of Nursing 


Description of the hospital:


The Royal Hospital Donnybrook is a 178-bed hospital providing rehabilitation, reablement, therapeutic re-assessment and continuing care services to adults and older people with complex medical, nursing and therapeutic needs. The total service provided is characterised by teamwork involving medical, nursing and therapy expertise. Over recent years there has been an increasing emphasis on rehabilitation, such as our general and adult rehabilitation services and the Stroke rehabilitation unit.  


Purpose of the post

The role of the Chaplain is to offer emotional and spiritual support to residents, patients and their families; to organise celebrations of liturgy and facilitate sacramental ministry as appropriate; to visit all patients and residents on a regular basis, to visit new patients and residents; to minister to the sick and the dying, and to provide support to their families. The Chaplaincy service is offered to patients, residents and their families as well as hospital staff of all faiths and none. 


Person Specification 


 (1) Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc.


 (a) Eligible applicants will be those who on the closing date for the competition:


Possess a Quality and Qualifications Ireland level 8 (or higher) degree in Theology from a recognized institute.Or possess an equivalent qualification.Have undertaken three units of Clinical Pastoral Education in an approved centre Be registered with Healthcare Chaplaincy Board or Chaplain Accreditation BoardCandidates must possess the requisite knowledge and ability, including a high standard of suitability for the proper discharge of the office


Age

No age restrictions shall apply to a candidate except where he/she is not classified as a new entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004).  In this case the candidate must be under 65 years of age on the first day on the month in which the latest date for receiving completed applications for the office occurs.


Health

Candidates for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.


Character

Candidates for and any person holding the office must be of good character


Job Description


Professional


To identify and implement operational processes to the standards of best practice.  To optimise use of resources and to ensure compliance with statutory requirementsTo contribute to the ongoing development and revision of any pastoral care related policies and documentation, hospital wide.To implement, monitor and evaluate quality standards and procedures for the chaplaincy department.To promote effective and efficient delivery of chaplaincy services to patients, residents and their families;To identify opportunities for improvement and initiate steps to accomplish same; To develop good working relationships with other personnel and departments within the hospital;To operate a system for referrals; To develop links with a variety of religious denominations as appropriate; so as to be best placed to facilitate the wishes and needs of patients and residents of various denominations. To support a team of external visiting chaplains to minister to residents and patients within the hospital, (including liturgical celebrations).To sit on any relevant Hospital Committees in the capacity of chaplain as well as hospital staff member.As required and as appropriate, to represent the Royal Hospital Donnybrook on any external hospital related committees or forums.To link with other departments in the hospital with regards facilitation of hospital wide pastoral care delivery e.g. Volunteer coordinator.


Visiting


Patients and residents on all units, and clinical departments will be visited by the members of the pastoral Care Department as soon as possible after admission; The patient/resident will control continuing contact; Patients/residents who specifically request no Chaplaincy visit will have their wishes honoured.Arrange for resident/patient to be visited by representative of their own religious tradition if so required.Ensure that residents/patients of different denominations are made aware of religious services that are available to them in the hospital.


Availability


The Chaplain is expected to demonstrate flexibility around the needs of residents, patients and their families within contracted working hours;The Chaplaincy service will be offered to all residents, patients and their families of all faiths or none. 


Pastoral Care


The Chaplaincy will provide cover to respond to the pastoral need of patients, relatives a within the resources available. To support and enhance the provision and ethos of pastoral care throughout the hospital, through engagement with other staff, participation on relevant committees and initiatives hospital wide.To maintain pastoral contact with the families of deceased residents and patients.


Spiritual/Religious 


The Chaplain will recognise and value individual belief systems in a developing multi-cultural society through co-ordination with representatives or ministers of all faith and advocate and educate on behalf of residents/patients as required.

As appropriate to faith and culture, the Chaplain will provide opportunities and resources for individual and corporate prayer and worship.To provide or facilitate the provision of sacramental ministry as required and appropriate.Mortuary Service: As appropriate and requested, to be available in a denominational or non-denominational capacity  to the family/friends of the deceased, with regards to leading prayers or other ritual, before removal from the hospital.


Professional Developments 


To undertake and manage one’s own ongoing Continual Professional Development.


The Chaplain will be committed to continued professional development through in service training as provided by the Chaplaincy organizations and associations and as made available through the Hospital; 


The Chaplain shall follow the professional codes of conduct of the Hospital and the Chaplaincy organisation.To represent and espouse the values of the Royal Hospital Donnybrook as a holistic, person-centred, care provider; Where the dignity, values, beliefs and uniqueness of each person is respected. To contribute to a multidisciplinary model of Palliative Care and work with other departments to enhance the quality of life for all residents and patients as appropriate to ones discipline. 


Theological and Ethical Issues of Healthcare 


The Chaplain will keep informed about current ethical issues of healthcare and shall be prepared to address ethical issues with those in authority within the Hospital.


The above Job Description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office. 


Informal enquiries to Director of Nursing, Patricia Mc Auliffe


Closing date Wednesday 6th March 2024.


Skills:
Emotional and Spiritual Support Respond to Pastoral Needs Degree in Theology

Benefits:
Free on site parking Employee Assistance Programme HSE Employer