1. Recruitment of Whole-Time Hospital Chaplains

The recruitment of Whole-Time Hospital Chaplains is done directly by NHS Trusts and Hospitals. All Whole-Time Chaplaincy appointments, both for Chaplains and Chaplain's Assistants posts are advertised in the Church Times. (All chaplaincy/spiritual care vacancies are advertisecd on the NHS Jobs’ website http://www.jobs.nhs.uk.  Shortlisting and interviews are usually carried out by a Panel which includes representatives from the Trust or Hospital, the licensing Bishop or his representative, and a member of the Panel of Department of Health External Assessors.

2. Qualifications

Potential Chaplains and Assistants need to have formal training prior to appointment.  This will usually be theological training.

·         Ordained as priest/deacon within the Anglican Communion.

·         Served a minimum of 3 years and preferably 5 years in full time ministry, and be eligible to hold the Bishop’s Licence. 3 years would be acceptable for a Chaplain's Assistant post. The 5 year minimum is normal in the case of the senior post of Whole-Time Chaplain.

·         Demonstrated an interest in chaplaincy or to have some kind of chaplaincy experience within the National Health Service or pertinent post-basic qualification.

3. Preparation

Part-Time Chaplaincy posts are dealt with by the Diocesan Bishop in liaison with the Trust or Hospital. However in choosing a parish following ordination this may be a factor to take into account, as opportunities for Part-Time Chaplaincy are available in certain parishes, and this may widen experience and strengthen a subsequent application for a Whole-Time Chaplaincy appointment.

Recommended books and documents:

‘The Hospital Chaplain’s Handbook’ by Mark Cobb [published by Canterbury Press in 2005] 
ISBN 1 85311 477 4

Mark Cobb is a well-respected figure in Hospital Chaplaincy. He straddles the dual role of Clinical Director and Senior Chaplain at the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, which makes him a unique commentator on both bedside and boardroom manner. He is a sought after speaker in Chaplaincy and champion in bringing a profession that started in an ancient Cathedral into the high-tech of Intensive Care or the ever changing Management Structures of the Hospital Trusts.  http://www.canterburypress.co.uk/books/9781853114779/Hospital-Chaplains-Handbook

'Being a Chaplain' by the Revd Mark Newitt, Chaplain, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Trust [published by SPCK in July 2011]

The first five parts of the book gather together stories of 22 chaplains working in a wide variety of contexts (including several healthcare chaplains) and the final part consists of four essays on key themes: multi-faith issues; the core skills needed by a chaplain; models of chaplaincy; and tensions that can arise in the work. Against the sometimes negative stereotypes of chaplaincy we argue that chaplains are a valuable resource to the Church and that our experiences and expertise can be very helpful for thinking about ministry, ecclesiology and the engagement with contemporary society.
http://www.spckpublishing.co.uk/shop/being-a-chaplain/

‘Being There’ by The Revd Preb. Peter Speck [published by SPCK in 1988]

Useful documents:

Caring for the Spirit: a strategy for the chaplaincy and spiritual healthcare workforce [published November 2003]


NHS Chaplaincy: Meeting the Religious and Spiritual Needs of Patients and Staff [published November 2003]

4. Training after appointment

Hospital/Health Care Chaplaincy Training & Development run introductory courses in conjunction with St. Michael’s College, Llandaff which are open to newly-appointed Whole-Time and Part-Time Chaplains as well as others interested in chaplaincy work. It is usual for applicants to be sponsored by a Trust, Health Authority, Hospital, or Diocese.  

For further details:  Email:  hcc.info@churchofengland.org; Tel:  020 7898 1895.

5. Further help

There is a Bishop's Adviser on Hospital Chaplaincy in each Diocese (see Diocesan Handbook for details