Lead Chaplain

OUR VALUES IN ACTION

Care and Compassion Quality and Teamwork Dignity and Respect Openness, honesty and responsibility

Care and Compassion Quality and Teamwork Dignity and Respect Openness, honesty and responsibility

An exciting opportunity has arisen to lead the Spiritual Care services in NHS Borders. We are to recruit a dedicated and visionary Lead Chaplain to support the spiritual, pastoral, and religious needs of our patients, staff, and visitors. This pivotal role will provide leadership, including line management, support and supervision, ensuring high-quality, inclusive care across our diverse healthcare settings.

You will lead the chaplaincy team, provide strategic direction, and work in close collaboration with multidisciplinary clinical, leadership and education teams, contributing to the delivery of safe, effective and person-centred care aligned with local and national strategy. Key to your success will be your excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to develop and nurture relationships with a wide range of stakeholders within NHS Borders and externally including at a national level.

You will be responsible for leading the ongoing development of our Spiritual Care Services in line with the Scottish Government National Framework (2023):
Discovering meaning, purpose and hope through person-centred wellbeing and spiritual care
, and lead on the review of our local NHS Borders Spiritual Care Policy.

You will have the opportunity to make a real difference through your leadership in promoting person-centred spiritual care and wellbeing. You will lead in the delivery of appropriate spiritual, religious and pastoral care to patients, visitors, staff and volunteers, regardless of faith or life stance, as well as act as a link to various community faith and belief groups, supporting and facilitating the care of their members while they are in healthcare.

The post will be based in The Borders General Hospital but has responsibilities across NHS Borders.

NHS Borders serves a population of approximately 115,000 people across a largely rural region with rich cultural heritage, and a blend of town and countryside living. Our main hospital is complemented by community health services and smaller community and mental health inpatient areas, reflecting the unique demography and needs of the Borders area.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of people across the Borders. You will be part of a supportive team, working in a beautiful region known for its community spirit and quality of life.

Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact either Michael Scouler ( Current Lead Chaplain) on or Elaine Dickson Associate Director of Nursing Corporate at .

As from 1st April 2026, the Agenda for Change full-time working week will be reducing from 37 to 36 hours per week. Part time hours will be reduced pro-rata. However, there will be a corresponding increase in the hourly rate so that pay will not be affected.

Due to legislative changes from 1 April 2025, this post may require a different level of criminal records check done than is currently the case. If the post is assessed as a "regulated role", your appointment will be subject to joining the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme. If there is any change to what is currently required, this will be confirmed by either the Hiring Manager or the Recruitment Team.

For more details on these changes please visit: .

To work in the United Kingdom, there is a legal requirement for an individual to demonstrate that they have the relevant permission to work in the country. This permission is, without exception, granted by the UK Visa and Immigrations Service.

As part of the pre-employment checks for a preferred candidate, NHS Scotland Boards will check your entitlement to work in the UK. It can be evidenced through a number of routes including specific types of visa as well as EU settled and pre-settled status. To find out more about these routes of permission, please refer to the  website.

For specific types of post, if you do not have the necessary…