Healthcare Chaplain

Bon Secours Hospital Tralee; Tralee; On-site; EUR 56,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is seeking a dedicated Healthcare Chaplain to support patients, families, and staff. This role involves providing spiritual care, collaborating with healthcare teams, and requires a degree in Theology or equivalent education. The position offers a permanent contract with a competitive salary aligned with the HSE Chaplain Scale, and no night shifts or on-call hours.

Benefits

Supportive mission-driven environment

Opportunities for growth and development

Competitive salary

No night shifts or on-call hours

Qualifications

• Degree in Theology or equivalent with Theology as a major.
• Completion of 3 units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) or H. Dip. in Pastoral Theology.
• Certification by the Healthcare Chaplaincy Board or application in progress.

Responsibilities

• Provide spiritual, emotional, religious and cultural support.
• Facilitate prayer, sacramental needs, and liturgical services.
• Collaborate with the healthcare team for holistic care.
• Support ethical decision-making for patients and families.
• Contribute to staff training and policy development.

Skills

Integrated theological understanding and effective pastoral practice

Compassionate spiritual accompaniment at end-of-life care

Collaborative team player

Flexible to meet spiritual needs

Articulate person-centred care

Commitment to ongoing professional development

Strong prioritization skills

Excellent communication abilities

Education

Degree in Theology from a recognized institution

Completion of Clinical Pastoral Education units

Job description

Healthcare Chaplain – Bon Secours Hospital, Tralee

Location: Tralee, Co. Kerry

Contract: Permanent | 35 hours/week

Bon Secours Hospital Tralee is seeking a dedicated Healthcare Chaplain to join our exceptional care team. This is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of patients, families, and staff. Working in a multidisciplinary environment, this ministry will embody the Mission and Values that underpin the Bon Secours approach to compassionate, person-centred care. It will also promote an organisational ethos and culture that celebrates the human dignity of every individual within the hospital community.

As part of Ireland’s largest independent hospital group, Bon Secours Tralee combines world-class medical care with the warmth of a close-knit community. Our modern, accredited facility offers a wide range of specialist services and cutting-edge technologies, supported by a dedicated team of healthcare professionals. At Bon Secours Tralee, we are committed to excellence, compassion, and innovation - making it not just a great place to work, but a place to grow and make a real difference.

What We Offer

• A supportive, mission-driven environment.
• Opportunities for growth and development.
• A chance to live and work in one of Ireland’s most beautiful regions.
• Competitive Salary aligned with the HSE Hospital Chaplain Scale (€56,757-€69,341, pro-rata based on full-time hours of 39).
• No night shifts or on-call hours.

Role Purpose

The Healthcare Chaplain will:

• Provide spiritual, emotional, religious and cultural support to patients, families, and staff for settings such as surgery, end-of-life care, and bereavement.
• Facilitate prayer, sacramental needs, and liturgical services, and assist with chapel care.
• Collaborate with members of our healthcare team to support holistic care for our patients.
• Support ethical decision-making for patients, families, and staff.
• Contribute to staff training, policy development, development of chaplain interns, and promote awareness of pastoral care services.
• Identify ways to enhance pastoral care and ensure ongoing professional development.
• Work a 5 over 7-day roster, including weekends and public holidays, in accordance with the needs of patients, their families, and the wider hospital community.

Qualifications

• Degree in Theology (or equivalent with Theology as a major) from a recognised theology facility
• Completion of 3 units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) or H. Dip. in Pastoral Theology (Healthcare Chaplaincy).
• Certification by the Healthcare Chaplaincy Board (or application in progress).

Experience

• Experience in pastoral care within an acute adult healthcare setting (Desirable).

Skills

• Demonstrate integrated theological understanding and effective pastoral practice.
• Compassionate and purposeful spiritual accompaniment at end-of-life care.
• Collaborative team player, committed to the care and support of patients and their families.
• Flexible and creative in meeting the spiritual, emotional, religious, and cultural needs of patients, families, and staff.
• Able to articulate and deliver person-centred care aligned with Catholic healthcare values.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and self-care.
• Proactive and self-directed, with strong prioritisation skills.
• Reliable, with excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.

Informal Enquiries

Please contact Owen McCarthy – Head of Mission at: [e-mail]

How to Apply

Apply via Workday: www.bonsecours.ie/group/careers or please forward your curriculum vitae via email to Caitlin Guerin at [e-mail]

Closing Date: Thursday 18th of September 2025

Panels may be formed for future vacancies.

Equal Opportunity Statement: Bon Secours Health System is an equal opportunities employer. Our values of Human Dignity, Compassion, Stewardship, Service and Integrity guide everything we do. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees have the opportunity to thrive. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, abilities and perspectives, and provide reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require any assistance, please contact Caitlin Guerin, Talent Acquisition Administrator via email - [e-mail]