Job summary
Our Hospice at Home service brings the skills and expertise of our highly trained and dedicated specialist team directly into our patients homes. This allows patients, their families, and carers access to the vital support they need at home, when time matters most.
We are looking to recruit a personable individual, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills. This role will involve working within a nursing team on an In-patient Unit and/or in the Community. You will need to have previous experience in nursing terminally ill patients, or be keen to learn and develop skills looking after terminally ill patients. For the SHCA role an NVQ 3 is essential, Healthcare assistants with a willingness to learn will receive in house training and may be required to work flexibly across the 7-day working week, but you will not be required to work nights.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for both experienced and less experienced, enthusiastic Senior Healthcare Assistants to join our Hospice at Home team, giving our patients, their families, and carers both emotional and practical support to get the vital care they need.
You will work closely with the Clinical Nurse Specialists to carry out personal care to patients to suit their individual needs, aimed at ensuring more people achieve their preferred place of care. You will work closely with the nursing staff to support both the patient and their surrounding network, providing both practical and emotional support.
About us
Princess Alice Hospice is one of the top adult hospices in the UK, providing CQC rated outstanding, specialist palliative care and support to a community of more than a million people living in Surrey, south west London and Middlesex.
Job description
Job responsibilities
When working a shift on the Community Nursing Service,responsibilities will be carried out under the guidance of the patientsClinical Nurse and ESS Lead.
Carries out all personal care and activities of daily livingfor individual patients and groups of patients as required. Carries out delegated nursing activities to assist nursing staff, catheterand stoma care, eye and mouth care and report findings to nursing staff. Keeps nursing staff informed of observations and changes in condition relatingto patient care. Assists with general orderliness and homely atmosphere of the patients ownhome as appropriate
Develops and maintains effective communication and liaisonwith patients, their families and carers.
Becomes familiar with, and follows the agreed Hospicepolicies and procedures
Contributes to maintaining the Hospices agreed philosophy,aims and objectives.
Works as part of the team to promote an atmosphere in theCommunity conducive to lifelong learning and high standards of care.
Promotes a safe environment for all patients, carers,visitors and staff in the Ward or the patients own home as appropriate.
The post holder may be asked to support the HospiceIn-patient Unit on occasions where capacity threatens the fundamentals of coredelivery. In these instances responsibilities will be carried out under theguidance of the Ward Manager / Clinical Lead and the Team Leader for the shift.
Person Specification
Personal Qualities and other requirements
Essential
1. Ability to deal with palliative care environment
2. Ability to work well as part of a team
3. Commitment to undertake shifts on the In-patient Unit and/or in the Community as
4. appropriate to maintain fitness to practice
5. Car Driver with Full Driving License
6. Awareness of, and commitment to the Mission, Vision and Values of the Hospice
Qualifications
Essential
7. Good standard of general education (GCSE English and Maths Grade C or equivalent)
8. Understanding of basic nursing care of patients
9. Essential requirements for AfC Band 3:
10. NVQ level 3 in Health and Social Care
Particular Skills and Aptitude
Desirable
11. Ability to complete paperwork accurately with required information
12. Ability to establish and maintain effective communication with people
13. Ability to articulate in a clear and sensitive manner
14. Good interpersonal skills
15. Able to work within a stressful environment
16. Participate within the learning environment
17. Computer literacy
Experience
Essential
18. Experience of delivering a palliative approach to nursing care within a healthcare environment
19. Essential requirements for AfC Band 3 onwards:
20. Previous experience of working within a Ward and/or Community nursing team
21. Experience of nursing terminally ill patients and caring for their families in a Palliative/Oncology Setting