Hospital Chaplain

Introduction:

The Chaplaincy Department of Beaumont Hospital operates on an interdenominational basis and is staffed accordingly.  All Chaplaincy facilities are shared among the personnel of the accredited churches assigned to the Hospital, namely Church of Ireland, Methodist, Presbyterian and Roman Catholic.  The Hospital Board has provided a Mosque for those of the Muslim tradition.  This lays a foundation for the interdenominational fellowship and co-operation that the Hospital fosters.  We acknowledge that today the wider Hospital community is multicultural and multi-faith and cares for people of all denominations and everyone regardless of faith affiliation and those who profess no faith.

Job Summary

Preface to Job Description for Hospital Chaplains directly employed by Beaumont Hospital

The ever-changing role and needs of our healthcare system means that chaplaincy today is very different to what it was in the past.  Chaplaincy has greatly developed in recent years with the introduction of specialised training for chaplains.  In a modern holistic approach to healthcare involving the physical, social and spiritual needs of the person, chaplaincy staff will have more and more to contribute as part of a multidisciplinary team.  The Church has always been concerned with the needs of both patients and staff and the stresses that weigh on all involved in healthcare today.

The chaplains today, along with their traditional duties, must be experienced in trauma and crisis intervention, be able to offer appropriate bereavement support, emotionally and intellectually equipped to deal with suicide, addiction, cancer, AIDS etc. and furthermore to be able to do preparatory grief work with families and patients.  They must be available to staff, especially those involved in acute areas of the hospital, i.e. CCU, ITU and A&E.  Such specialist areas are difficult places in which to work.  Staff here are in the front line with relatives and must cope with acutely ill people twenty-four hours a day.  Here the chaplain provides a comforting and supportive presence which is independent and professional.

• The Chaplaincy Department offers a full pastoral care service to patients, their families and to staff over a 24 hour period
• Today, interdenominational ministry is carried out by professional chaplains, both ordained and lay, qualified in Theology and in Clinical Pastoral Education, and accredited by the Healthcare Hospital Chaplaincy Board. 
• Volunteers also have a vital role within the chaplaincy team.  In carrying out their role, they are responsible to the Head of Chaplains and the General Services Manager and accountable to the Chief Executive, and to their appropriate ecclesiastical authorities. 
• All activities relating to pastoral care are co-ordinated and facilitated by the Chaplaincy Department with the support of the General Services Manager and his/her Deputy. Any additional events should be authorised by the Chapliancy Department.

Key Areas of Responsibility include but are not limited to:

Provision of a pastoral care chaplaincy service to patients, relatives and staff in accordance to the National Association of Healthcare Chaplains has drawn up “Standards for Certification of Healthcare Chaplains in the Roman Catholic Chaplaincy Service.”  

Be aware of and implement changes in relation to new standards or legislation that may affect how chaplaincy services should be delivered.

Participate in Hospital committees / working groups as required.

Service Delivery:

Visiting

Patients on all wards, especially acute wards, and clinical departments will be visited by the members of the Chaplaincy Team appropriate to the patient’s denomination as soon as possible after admission.  The patient will control continuing contact.  Patients who specifically request no chaplaincy visit will have their wishes honoured.

Availability

The on-call chaplain will operate a 24-hour service, via the Hospital pager system where appropriate.  All referrals will receive attention.  The Chaplaincy Service will be offered irrespective of gender, race, creed or colour.

Pastoral Care

The Chaplaincy Service will provide 24-hour cover to respond to the pastoral need of patients, relatives and staff within the resources available.

Spiritual/Religious

The chaplains will recognise and value other people’s belief systems in a developing multi-cultural society through co-ordination with representatives or minister of all faiths.

As appropriate to faith and culture, the Chaplaincy Service will provide opportunities and resources for individual and corporate prayer and worship.

The Chaplaincy Service will provide 24-hour access to a Sacramental ministry where appropriate and available.

Mortuary Service: the chaplain will conduct prayers where appropriate and bring the Hospital service to a dignified conclusion.

Professional Developments

The Chaplaincy Service will be committed to continued professional development through in-service training as provided by the chaplaincy organisations and associations to which members of the department are affiliated.  The chaplains shall follow the professional codes of conduct of the Hospital and the chaplaincy organisations.   The chaplain will undertake clinical practice education as required by the Healthcare Chaplaincy Board.

Managerial

The chaplain will accept managerial accountability and will be directly responsible to the Chief Executive Officer of Beaumont Hospital or designate, as well as to the appropriate Ecclesiastical Authority.  The chaplain will liaise and link with all staff in providing an appropriate service to the patient.  The chaplain shall receive all internal communication directly.  The Chaplaincy Service shall, if required, provide a report on departmental issues and initiatives.

Participate in the re-organisation of the Chaplaincy Department and initiatives aimed at enhanced Service Delivery.

Training, Education and Development

The chaplain will:-

• have an input into nursing and staff training modules as requested
• provide ongoing training for chaplaincy staff
• if applicable will provide training for students in pastoral ministry
• recruit on a voluntary basis people to assist him/her in their duties and to provide training for them in pastoral ministry and any other statutory requirements and best practice as may be approved by Beaumont Hospital and in accordance with such procedures as may be set down by Beaumont Hospital from time to time.
• Be compliant with the General Data Commission Regulations (GDPR) and Children’s First as a mandated person.

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 Beaumont Hospital.

Miscellaneous

All religious groups and individuals offering a chaplaincy service, other than those accredited by Beaumont Hospital shall firstly be approved by the Chaplaincy Service and shall be co-ordinated by the appropriate Chaplain

Service Delivery

Ensure service is delivered to all stakeholders in line with hospital policies and procedures and service level agreements.

Liaise with all stakeholders to ensure that services meet expectations. Stakeholders will include but are not restricted to; Executive Management Team, General Services Manager, Directorate Nurse Managers, Department Heads, Health and Safety, Clinical Nurse Managers, Business Managers.

Be aware that resources both pay and non pay are used efficiently and that work practices are constantly evaluated to develop more efficient systems of delivery.

Work as part of the team to ensure good communication within the overall department by appropriate means including establishing regular staff meetings in line with the hospitals communication strategy. Be aware of individual responsibility.

Promote awareness of confidentiality and good record handling practices. 

Motivate and guide individuals and/or groups towards organisational and departmental objectives.

Manage and liaise with the various Volunteer Groups and participate in their development, record keeping and training.    

In conjunction with the General Services Department develop policies, procedures and guidelines to ensure service is provided in line with best practice and ensure communication of these to all relevant stakeholders.

Service Planning

Participate in the promotion of the chaplaincy service and identify opportunities for service improvement and initiate steps to accomplish same. 

Participate in the preparation and presentation of reports as required

Keep abreast of changes in service delivery methods and projects within the hospital to ensure chaplaincy services can respond appropriately, e.g. Clinical care programmes etc.

Produce an annual report on chaplaincy services across the sites as part of the multi-denominational ethos.

Quality Assurance and Risk Management

As part of your team develop and ensure good record keeping.

Keep quality at the forth front of the service provided.

Be compliant with the General Data Commission Regulations (GDPR) and Children’s First as a mandated person.

Ensure that all records in regards to incidents and events are stored appropriately and develop systems for the production of data.

Personal

Ensure compliance with hospital policies regarding absenteeism and other HR policies as available on the hospital intranet.

Ensure compliance with mandatory training eg. children’s’ first, data protection, hand hygiene, manual handling and fire training.

Undertake such training as is made available or is deemed necessary to ensure efficient work practices eg. Computer skills training.

Beaumont Hospital Board may at its absolute discretion reassign the appointee at any time.

Informal enquiries to Dorothy Costello on dorothycostello@beaumont.ie

Required Qualifications of a Hospital Chaplain