Job summary
Acorns Children's Hospice Trust are looking for a Care Assistant for our Birmingham Hospice to deliver holistic care of children and young people who are life-limited or life-threatened at the hospice or in their home. This role is offered on a full time basis, working hours per week
Main duties of the job
As a Care Assistant, youll
1. Assist nurses in assessing the care needs of the children
2. Deliver day to day care as detailed in the care plan
3. Assist with medication administration
4. Facilitate outings, play and activity that is appropriate to age and development needs.
About You
5. Care certificate or willing to work towards
6. NNEB or NVQ Level 2 or equivalent (in a subject related to children, families or health)
7. Experience in hospital or physical care of children
About us
What We Offer
8. £23,400 to £24,720 per annum. Enhancements for Saturdays (30%), Sundays (50%) and nights (50%)
9. hours per week
10. Based in Birmingham (B29 6HZ)
11. Employee discounts from leading retailers
12. Employee gym discount scheme
13. Bike-to-Work scheme
14. Generous contribution to group personal pension plan or continuation of current NHS pension scheme
15. NHS pension scheme life assurance or Acorns group life assurance scheme
You need to be eligible to work in the UK to be considered for this role. We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and therefore any successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check for children and will be asked to provide two satisfactory references.
As a UNICEF GoldRights Respecting organisation we are committed to ensuring that the United Nations Convention for the Rights of the Child is embedded into both culture and practice within the organisation. As an employee you will be a Duty Bearer for Childrens Rights and support all children to be Rights Holders.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job Purpose:
Deliver holistic care of children and young people who are life limited/ life threatened in their homes or at the hospice and to provide support to their families.
MainDuties:
1. Nursing and Family Care
> Actively encourage a family atmospherewithin Acorns.
> Assist the registered nurse inassessing the care needs of the child and young person when in the hospice orin their home.
> Deliver day to day care as detailed inthe care plan to a safe and consistent standard.
> Work with colleagues to ensure allmedication is given in a timely manner according to the Acorns medicationsadministration record.
> Facilitate outings play and activitythat is appropriate to age and development needs of the child
> Adhere to Acorns policies and maintainan awareness of new and developing care options.
> Every employee has a professionalresponsibility to maintain an up to date knowledge and awareness of issuesrequired to deliver quality care at the end of life.
> Every employee has a professionalresponsibility to maintain an up to date knowledge and awareness of issuesaround the safeguarding of children, and to ensure that appropriate steps aretaken to protect children facilitated through effective communication acrossmultidisciplinary agencies.
> Every employee has a responsibility tomaintain confidential, accurate and timely records.
> Develop the required computer skills touse technology-based solutions to facilitate effective communication and recordkeeping.
> Maintain an awareness of the diversityof families supported by Acorns and ensure that the cultural needs of thechildren and families are met appropriately.
> Ensure professional boundaries aremaintained and that due attention is paid to confidentiality, privacy anddignity at all times.
2. Professional Development
> Actively participate in projects todevelop service provision.
> Take advantage of trainingopportunities to further develop your skills and expertise to enhance your rolewithin the Acorns Care Team including mandatory training sessions.
> Access clinical supervision as and whenrequired.
3. Management and Team Awareness
> Support theNurse-in-Charge of the shift in-house at Acorns as required.
> Actively guideand supervise volunteer work with children.
> Assist theMatron with ordering and purchasing requirements as necessary for day-to-dayrunning of Acorns services.
> Inform therelevant line manager / on call of incidents and concerns using agreedprocesses.
> Participate inthe induction of new employees as and when required.
4. Communication
> Encourage thephilosophy of Acorns and present a good public image.
> Liaise closelywith the all professionals and volunteers working with the child/ young personand family to ensure a seamless service.
> Attend teammeetings and team briefings and participate in other meetings as appropriate(including external meetings)
5. Health and Safety
> Ensure that infection controlguidelines and policies are strictly adhered to.
> Undertake risk assessment andmanagement to ensure that clients, families, visitors and colleagues are safe.
> Be aware of and work within the loneworking policies of the organisation.
> Maintain the Health & SafetyRegulations of Acorns Childrens Hospice Trust including Fire Regulationswithin the Acorns buildings.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
16. Care Certificate or willing to work towards (within probation period)
17. NVQ Level 2 or equivalent (in a subject related to children, families or health)
Skills & Abilities
Essential
18. Ability to follow individual care plans.
19. Ability to support profoundly disabled children.
20. Competent IT skills with windows based programmes.
Desirable
21. General counselling skills.
22. Awareness of death and dying.
Experience
Essential
23. Experience in hospital/ physical care of children.
24. Family/ child centered work.
Desirable
25. Experience of work with children with special needs or disability.
26. Experience of working with very sick children.