MA HEALTHCARE CHAPLAINCY AND WELLBEING

This MA in Healthcare Chaplaincy and Wellbeing course is the first of its kind in the UK. The course is an integration of theory and practice, providing cutting-edge chaplaincy education reflecting the changing and diverse multi-cultural and multi-faith and belief needs of the NHS, the patients, families, carers and staff. It links academic studies up to practice placements and is aligned to meet the professional competences, as measured by the UK Board of Healthcare Chaplaincy. The course aims at developing an individual’s ability to demonstrate advanced spiritual care skills and knowledge with evidence-based spiritual well-being and spiritual first aid techniques for practice in a multi-cultural, multi-faith healthcare settings. This course will also develop and promote new opportunities to engage in research developments and innovations across a multi-cultural, multi-faith and belief community.

The MA is a part-time course taught over 3-years. It is uniquely designed to provide a step off, and step on educational pathways, starting with a Pg Cert then topping up to MA. So, individuals can top up to MA if they have undertaken the Pg Cert and Pg Dip as part of this validated pathway. Alternatively, individuals could select to start the full three-year part-time MA pathway. In order to qualify for the MA award, students will be required to complete a work-based portfolio instead of a dissertation during the third year.

One distinctive feature about the course is that it is provided by an NHS Trust Chaplaincy Dept - Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust (GSTT) Chaplaincy & Spiritual Health Care Dept, which is one of the largest culturally-diverse multi-faith/belief Chaplaincy team in the UK. The teaching faculty is made of experienced and accomplished educationists and seasoned practitioners in the industry who are at the forefront of delivering contemporary Healthcare Chaplaincy education.

For More Information:
Please contact the Course Director: Revd Nana Kyei-Baffour, Email: Nana.Kyei-Baffour@gstt.nhs.uk Tel: Direct: 020 7188 9844 Or 020 7188 1187

Entry Level Requirements

Careers

Employability Service

At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:

• Free employability workshop and events for student all year round, more details can be found on our event section.
• Online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
• LSBU Careers Hub offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and support, guidance on future careers, as well as loads of career resources, connecting you with employers, exciting events, 1-1 support and relevant workshops.

Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.

Employability

This course will enable graduates to apply for positions within chaplaincy in the NHS and elsewhere. In addition, students will have the opportunity to develop some key skills including improving communication, IT, literacy, and research skills and to be able to apply for further study.

Upon successful completion of the first three modules, students can be registered as Band 6 Healthcare Chaplains (equivalent to Band 6 Nursing). This is recognised throughout the UK in NHS hospitals and in other healthcare settings providing a gold standard for professional chaplaincy. So, students can enter the professional chaplaincy market with this qualification.

Also, after successfully completing the PG Cert Healthcare Chaplaincy and Wellbeing, students will be able to enter onto PG Diploma and Masters to increase their learning and promote their professional recognition and widen their employment opportunities to Bands 6 and 7 Healthcare Chaplaincy in managerial, consultancy and specialized roles.

Placements

The Professional Module has both taught and practice components and assessed at level 7. The standards set out in the UKBHC Capabilities and Competences are used to assess the placement element to ensure students meet the requirements for professional practice and the award. The primary aim is to protect the public by assuring that students are prepared to practice safely and competently. In accordance with this principle, the course is practice-centred and directed to achievement of professional competence and fitness to practice. So, the placement component is assessed by mentors who are band 6 and above staff Chaplains. It is also required that these mentors are UKBHC registered. Competences will be measured against UKBHC Band 6 Chaplaincy standards.  These competences are for registration on the UKBHC register and require students to meet the professional code of conduct and the national requirements.  Students are required to undertake 5 months of supervised wards visits and complete 200 hours activity during these ward visits.

In order to qualify for the MA award, students will be required to complete a Professional Portfolio (in the 3rd year) totalling 100 evidenced hours of Placement learning, demonstrating development of advanced spiritual care practice across the four pillars of advanced chaplaincy practice.

Professional Links

Upon successful completion of year one of the course (Pg Cert) the student will be eligible to be registered as a Band 6 Healthcare Chaplain and to be registered with UKBHC register.

For More Information:
Please contact the Course Director: Revd Nana Kyei-Baffour, Email: Nana.Kyei-Baffour@gstt.nhs.uk Tel: Direct: 020 7188 9844 Or 020 7188 1187