Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care Chaplain

Job Overview

The ability to speak Welsh is essential for this post.

Pastoral Care Chaplains are expected to meet the spiritual, religious, and pastoral needs of patients, carers, and staff within the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. Chaplains are an integral part of the therapeutic teams, with direct access to patients and confidential patient information in liaison with other staff. They provide regular patient contact during working hours, are on a 24‑hour on‑call system, and are called out to patients during unsocial hours.

Chaplains work as part of a chaplaincy team—including volunteers—across hospital and community services to deliver multi‑faith chaplaincy services and advise CPGs and locality teams on spiritual care development.

The post holder is an autonomous, qualified practitioner who seeks out and responds to the spiritual and religious needs of individuals, their carers, and staff across hospitals, localities and community care provided by BCUHB.

BCUHB is the largest health organisation in North Wales, delivering primary, community, mental health, acute and elective hospital services for a population of about 700,000. We offer a supportive environment aligned with our Organisational Values and ‘Proud to Lead’ competence framework, and promote equality, diversity and the “Disability Confident Employer” scheme.

Applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

All applicants will be required to provide evidence of their qualifications and competences as described below.

• Degree level or equivalent in a relevant discipline for providing spiritual care, authorised by and in good standing with their declared faith/belief group.
• A qualification in healthcare chaplaincy, counselling or another related subject registered with UKBHC (desirable).

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, good listening abilities, and competence and creativity in delivering rituals in a healthcare setting.
• Knowledge of ecumenical and multi‑faith issues, a good understanding of bereavement and end‑of‑life care, and clear awareness of confidentiality requirements.
• Strong self‑motivation and time‑management; confidence to work independently; willingness to work flexible and unsocial hours, including 24‑hour on‑call; a non‑judgemental attitude to compassion and dignity in care; and good self‑awareness in distressing situations.
• Basic IT skills.
• Welsh speaker.
• Ability to travel between sites.

• Counselling, management/supervision, and team‑working skills.

• Significant experience working in healthcare chaplaincy; team‑working experience; multi‑faith working experience.

• Specialist experience in areas such as palliative, mental health, or maternity spiritual care.
• Background in ethical issues and knowledge of current NHS issues, including familiarity with Standards for Spiritual Care in the NHS in Wales.

Please check your email account regularly; successful applicants will receive all recruitment‑related correspondence via the email account registered on the application form.