About this role
Job summary
Closing Date: 14 August 2026
Shortlisting to take place after closing date: commencing 15 August 2026
Interview expected to take place in the week following shortlisting: commencing 24 August 2026
Make a meaningful difference where it matters most
Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is proud to be growing ourSpiritual, Pastoral and Religious Care (SPaRC) Team, and we are seeking a compassionate and dedicatedChurch of England Chaplainto join us.
This is a unique and rewarding opportunity to provideholistic, person-centred care, supporting patients, families, carers and colleagues at some of the most important and vulnerable moments in their lives.
Main duties of the job
As part of ourmulti-faith SPaRC team, you will:
Deliver high-quality spiritual, pastoral and religious careacross our hospital sites
Respond tofaith-specific needs while supporting people of all beliefs--or none
Work collaboratively with colleagues, volunteers and multidisciplinary teams
Contribute to a culture where kindness, dignity and compassion are integral to care
You will also participate in anon-call rota, ensuring support is available when it is needed most.
We are looking for someone who:
Is ordained within the Church of England
Has significant experience providing sensitive, inclusive pastoral car
Demonstrates excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Thrives in a multi-faith, multidisciplinary environment
Brings a compassionate, inclusive and forward-thinking approach to care
Is committed to upholding our Trust valuesand delivering high-quality, equitable care for all
About us
Our People Charter outlines the behaviours we can expect from one another and what you can expect from Bradford Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust:
We value people We are one team We care We're keen to meet people who share these values and are passionate about delivering the highest quality of care to our patients.
Job description Job responsibilities
To provide general pastoral and spiritual care to individuals, groups or areas of the hospitals as agreed with the Department Manager within the overall strategy of Christian needs.
To mentor/supervise and support to SPaRC Bank staff, SPaRC volunteers working in the clinical areas allocated to the SPaRC Practitioners general responsibility.
To keep accurate and up to date electronic records of patient and staff support and to work with the other SPaRC Practitioners in ensuring that the procedures and protocols of the department are well understood and communicated within the Trust.
To take full part in SPaRC discussion about future developments and directions with regards to The Bradford Model and enable colleagues to share their views with clarity and consideration and to take responsibility of the assigned anchors from the Bradford Model.
To undertake specific work through referral and other means with patients and staff of the same denomination/faith grouping as the post holder. To provide pastoral support to all denomination/faiths as required.
To prioritise need and respond with urgency to matters relating to bereavement and to conduct funerals when required. Also to respond quickly to requests for baptism and marriage where the patient has a life-threatening condition and work when necessary with the local Superintendent Registrar.
To administer the sacraments in accordance with the rites and traditions of the church and provide services of Christian worship within the chapels (and other ward areas, by agreement).
To work to ensure that local religious communities understand the work of the SPaRC and know how to make referrals to the appropriate SPaRC Practitioner.
To take part in leading training and induction programmes and to sit on Trust committees, as requested and agreed by the head of SPaRC services.
To liaise at all times with ward staff about the role and involvement of SPaRC and to provide care in a way sympathetic to the clinical demands and constraints of the ward environment.
To participate in reflective practice and be involved in SPaRC related research as and when agreed with the head of SPaRC services
Able to work flexibly within contracted hours
To identify areas of personal spiritual growth and professional development in conjunction with the head of SPaRC services and undertake agreed training, study or other course of action fitting with the priorities of the department.
Person Specification
Knowledge Essential
Substantial experience in Healthcare Chaplaincy. Demonstratable knowledge of tenets of own faith belief/tradition Knowledge of and engagement with faith belief/tradition beyond your own Significant work with people from diverse backgrounds, including of faith and no faith Offer spiritual care beyond own faith/ belief boundaries with evidence of commitment to an inclusive approach to chaplaincy Experience in pastoral techniques Experience of working in a multidisciplinary setting and the ability to promote shared decision making A proven pastoral, spiritual and religious expertise in complex, emotional and distressing situations Demonstratable evidence of working with and respecting religious, spiritual and pastoral diversity and differences Engagement with safeguarding, information governance, audit, service evaluation or research An understanding of the NHS and SPaRC/Chaplaincy Knowledge of religious, spiritual and ethical issues related to healthcare Ability to represent the SPaRC Team Involvement in the recruitment of staff e.g., volunteers
Qualifications Essential
Bachelor's Degree (or equivalent work or life experience) with demonstrable learning in a relevant field such as counselling, pastoral care, psychology, psychotherapy, religious studies or Endorsement by a recognised/established Christian Faith community Ordained member of Church of England and licensed by the Bishop of Bradford
Communication And Relationships (Including Management Responsibilities) Essential
The ability to regulate own workload and work on own initiative The ability to communicate sensitively with people who have mental and physical health problems, to request support and escalate concerns as required to Lead SPaRC Practitioner The ability to establish and sustain effective relationships in complex and challenging environments demonstrating empathy and compassion while taking personal responsibility and compassion To be trustworthy, showing careful attention to the individual and specific needs of those in their care and to have an approach that values and affirms the rights of those outside the chaplain's own tradition to practice their beliefs appropriately Demonstrate appropriate personal and professional values and behaviours and practice in accordance with the UKBHC Code of Conduct A professional SPaRC identity rooted in one's own religious/spiritual/pastoral heritage that integrates professional values and disclosure, positive use of power and authority, and clear and responsible boundaries, behaviours, skills and specialist knowledge Evidence of working collaboratively, contributing to team and sustaining positive working relationships with colleagues Enhanced use of self in SPaRC practice including emotional availability, cultural humility, appropriate self-disclosure, positive use of power and authority, and clear and responsible boundaries A high degree of personal stability and resilience to cope with significance stress on a sustained basisInterview/Application formE Supportive of the Trusts values To participate in the on-call rota which offers cover overnight and at weekends To deputise for the Head of SPaRC on operational issues as required Willingness to respond to urgent and unexpected event e.g., major incident supporting the Head of SPaRC. To have experience of supervising/mentoring others e.g., volunteers Car owner/driver or suitable alternative transport to enable you to travel between sites and respond to on-call referrals
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 Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address Bradford Teaching Hospitals BTHFT
Duckworth Lane
Bradford
BD9 6RJ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.bradfordhospitals.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)