Health Care Chaplain

Health Care Chaplain

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 16 February 2026

The post holder will assist in the delivery of spiritual, religious, and pastoral care to patients, their families and staff within the hospital at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching NHS Foundation Trust (WWL NHS FT). The post holder will be required to work flexibly and supportively alongside chaplaincy colleagues to advise, enable and ensure that the needs of the hospital are addressed.

Please note that this vacancy may close early if a sufficient number of applications are received. We encourage interested candidates to apply promptly to avoid disappointment.

• To provide, as part of the chaplaincy and spiritual care team, the pastoral, spiritual and religious needs of patients, visitors, carers and staff of WWL NHS FT respecting their diversity and the equality of the individual.
• To uphold and act in accordance with Trust policies, NHS chaplaincy guidance and UKBHC code of conduct.
• Follow protocols and procedures for the recording of relevant information on the assessment of spiritual needs and the delivery of spiritual care in the patient information systems.

Choose Well - Choose WWL

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are the proud providers of acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, we value our staff believing that 'happy staff, makes for happy patients'. We have a recognised track record in staff engagement and living our values.

People at the Heart

Listen and Involve

Kind and Respectful

ONE Team

WWL are committed to placing the patient at the heart of everything we do, and in the provision of safe, effective care that acknowledges and ensures dignity. We are seeking to recruit people who share our values and beliefs.

At WWL we value the benefits a rich and diverse workforce brings to our community and therefore welcome applications from all sections of society.

• Follow chaplaincy policies and provide relevant faith-based perspectives which support the delivery of spiritual, religious and pastoral care strategies, policies, protocols, procedures and work plans
• Observe national healthcare chaplains Codes of Conduct (UKBHC) and other professional codes of conduct, policies and guidelines relating to chaplaincy services
• To maintain a professional, calm, empathic, sensitive and respectful approach when working in stressful and emotional situations within a busy environment
• To provide support staff, patients and visitors as required in times of crisis, loss, or bereavement as part of the staff wellbeing and support offering
• Provide support for staff and schedule time for staff as service users. Assessing and respond to staff pastoral and spiritual needs (individual or collective)
• To support the chaplaincy manager and deputy manager when dealing with complex issues as they might arise within the chaplaincy and spiritual care team
• To share in general visiting on the wards and departments to provide pastoral, spiritual and religious care to patients, relatives and staff of all faiths, beliefs and none
• Maintain concentration and a calm consistent approach in the delivery of pastoral care despite unpredictable and unexpected work patterns or demands
• To always respect and maintain service user confidentiality, only recording essential data within Trust systems subject to consent and within legal and Trust frameworks for Information Governance
• Be responsible for patient record keeping and monitoring spiritual, religious and associated with care given to patients by the healthcare chaplaincy and spiritual care team using the appropriate systems subject to consent and within information governance regulations
• Conduct contract funerals/baby funerals. Liaising with the relevant Funeral Directors and community leaders as required to facilitate faith-based burials
• To work sensitively and collaboratively with the patients own Priest/Minister/Faith Leader to meet the holistic pastoral needs of their parishioners
• To support, mentor and supervise…