Specialist Chaplain

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced Chaplaincy practitioner to lead the Bereavement Care Follow-Up service, with a view to strengthening bereavement support across the organisation. You will provide operational leadership, collaborate with clinical teams, establish clear protocols, and oversee service development.

The role includes supporting bereaved families, contributing to on‑call duties, and training chaplains to deliver compassionate, consistent

Qualifications

• Experience supporting bereaved families.
• Collaborative approach with clinical colleagues.
• Ability to establish clear protocols and effective working practices.
• Operational leadership for the Bereavement Care Follow-Up service.
• Willingness to participate in on-call duties.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Bereavement Care Follow-Up service and promote best practice.
• Provide professional leadership and staff development for chaplains.
• Oversee service standards, protocols, and quality improvement.
• Work with the Chaplaincy team to integrate bereavement care across CUH.
• Participate in on-call rota and multidisciplinary care planning.

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Chaplaincy practitioner to lead our Bereavement Care Follow-Up service.

This is an opportunity to lead an important hospital service at a time when new initiatives and opportunities are emerging to develop and further integrate bereavement care across the organisation.

You will bring experience of supporting bereaved families, a collaborative approach to working with clinical colleagues, and the ability to establish clear protocols and effective working practices. You will provide operational leadership for the service, helping to ensure that bereaved families receive compassionate, appropriate and consistent support.

As part of the wider Chaplaincy team, you will support and equip fellow chaplains to contribute effectively to bereavement care follow-up, while also contributing to the team's wider work and participating in on‑call duties as required.

You will join a supportive team delivering an important service within the hospital, with the opportunity to bring your experience and ideas to its ongoing development., Provide professional leadership for the Bereavement Care Follow-Up (BCFU) service, promoting good practice and supporting its ongoing development.

Oversee the delivery of the BCFU service through professional guidance, advice, training and education, and the development and promotion of appropriate standards.

Develop and implement service standards, protocols and working practices, and undertake service evaluation and audit to support quality improvement.

Work in accordance with the policies, protocols and practices of the Chaplaincy Department.

Promote the integration of the BCFU service within Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH), working collaboratively with colleagues across departments and services to establish clear roles, responsibilities and effective working relationships.

Participate in regular reflective practice to support professional development and the quality of service delivery.

Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to promote coordinated and compassionate care for bereaved families.

Advocate for the voices and experiences of bereaved families within the organisation, helping to inform practice and support the ongoing development of bereavement care.

Contribute flexibly and responsively to the wider delivery of the Chaplaincy service, as required.

Participate in the Chaplaincy on‑call rota.

Our Trust

Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1,100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people - patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing 'outstanding' care to our patients and rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testimonial to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH's values - Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent - are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high‑quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.

CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people's age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.