Job summary Join our Bedded Unit Team and be part of something amazing We have a great opportunity for Healthcare Assistants to join our friendly team on the Bedded Unit at North Devon Hospice. For those who wish to apply, and are successful in being recruited to the role, we will support you to develop specialist palliative care skills. Main duties of the job Our nursing team are proud to support and care for patients and their families at their most difficult and vulnerable time. Our highly committed multi-disciplinary team of staff and volunteers, work seamlessly together to provide care of the highest standard. Our bedded unit receives referrals for patients needing support for various reasons including symptom control, rehabilitation following treatment or care in the last days of life. Our specialist medical team provides round the clock care and support to our patients in the comfort of a welcoming and homely environment. We are fortunate to have time to spend with our patients to really understand what is important to them and plan their care accordingly. About us Working for us is awesome Benefits include: An excellent working environment (& beautiful outside areas) Flexible & family friendly policies including Maternity, Adoption, Paternity, Shared Parental leave and Pawternity Tech Scheme Cycle to work Scheme Free on-site parking Personal pension scheme (continuation of your NHS pension) Generous holiday allowance increasing with service Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) offering free confidential advice on a range of matters including financial, legal, health and wellbeing Health Cash Plan which can include up to 5 children and the option to include partners Regular Wellbeing events The opportunity to give us your feedback on how we can improve as an organisation Date posted 04 February 2025 Pay scheme Other Salary £23,300 a year Actual salary £18,700 per annum, 30 hours per week Contract Permanent Working pattern Part-time Reference number HCA022025 Job locations Deer Park Newport Road Barnstaple Devon EX32 0HU Job description Job responsibilities In this role you will be responsible for: Assisting with a range of patient care duties under the indirect supervision of registered staff Assisting in the provision of high quality palliative care for patients and their relatives and carers Assisting with care which encompasses the physical, social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of patients and their family members Assisting patients to maintain all aspects of daily living activities in accordance with individual programmes of care with close supervision of registered nursing staff Maintaining patients personal hygiene and appearance Being competent in maintaining patient skin integrity, updating pressure ulcer risk assessment tools that have been completed initially by a registered nurse. As well as escalating any change in risk level or changes to skin appearance that require assessment from a registered nurse Assisting patients with eating and drinking Assisting patients with elimination needs including continence, catheter and stoma care Helping with non-pharmalogical approaches to maintain patient comfort and managing symptoms, e.g. comfort rounds and re-positioning, mouth care, listening and reassuring Demonstrating a knowledge of care procedures and clinical observations etc. that are consistent with Diploma in Health and Social Care Level 2 or equivalent Assisting with clinical procedures following appropriate training Ensuring that you follow good infection control practice at all times and are familiar with infection control policies, procedures, and guidance relevant to your area of work Providing patients with complementary therapies where workload allows and in accordance with training and competency, ensuring documentation is completed following any therapies provided Assisting with last offices Acting as second checker for controlled drugs administration following training and competency being achieved Assisting registered nursing staff in aspects of technical care and record keeping, e.g.: a) Taking and recording vital signs. i.e. temperature, pulse, and respiration rate b) Urine testing and obtaining specimens c) Blood glucose monitoring d) Venepuncture Bedded Unit Healthcare Assistant e) Wound care f) Basic foot care including nail trimming and filing Maintaining appropriate sensitive, caring and tactful relationships with patients, families and carers Ensuring valid consent is gained before all aspects of care are delivered and understanding how the Mental Capacity Act is implemented when patients are unable to give valid consent Offering support as appropriate to patients, their families and carers and professional colleagues Supporting patients, and their family members, as they approach end-of life and at time of bereavement Informing registered nurses of any significant changes in patients condition and familys needs Co-operating with, and communicating clearly and professionally any changes that may affect patient care, to the registered nurse caring for the patient, or the nurse in charge Welcoming new team members and supporting learning about the role of the HCA and North Devon Hospice Working as part of a multidisciplinary team Ensuring that confidentiality of information is maintained at all times and in compliance with GDPR Developing and sustaining a good working partnership with your colleagues, other health care professionals and external agencies Working in other clinical areas as appropriate to meet the needs of the service as directed by the Clinical Team Lead or nurse in charge Ensuring that you follow good infection control practice at all times and that you are familiar with infection control policies, procedures, and guidance relevant to your area of work Understanding your role in the safeguarding of adults and children by being able to identify risks, and recognise signs of harm, abuse or neglect including how to report concerns and take immediate action to protect a person at risk of harm or abuse Job description Job responsibilities In this role you will be responsible for: Assisting with a range of patient care duties under the indirect supervision of registered staff Assisting in the provision of high quality palliative care for patients and their relatives and carers Assisting with care which encompasses the physical, social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of patients and their family members Assisting patients to maintain all aspects of daily living activities in accordance with individual programmes of care with close supervision of registered nursing staff Maintaining patients personal hygiene and appearance Being competent in maintaining patient skin integrity, updating pressure ulcer risk assessment tools that have been completed initially by a registered nurse. As well as escalating any change in risk level or changes to skin appearance that require assessment from a registered nurse Assisting patients with eating and drinking Assisting patients with elimination needs including continence, catheter and stoma care Helping with non-pharmalogical approaches to maintain patient comfort and managing symptoms, e.g. comfort rounds and re-positioning, mouth care, listening and reassuring Demonstrating a knowledge of care procedures and clinical observations etc. that are consistent with Diploma in Health and Social Care Level 2 or equivalent Assisting with clinical procedures following appropriate training Ensuring that you follow good infection control practice at all times and are familiar with infection control policies, procedures, and guidance relevant to your area of work Providing patients with complementary therapies where workload allows and in accordance with training and competency, ensuring documentation is completed following any therapies provided Assisting with last offices Acting as second checker for controlled drugs administration following training and competency being achieved Assisting registered nursing staff in aspects of technical care and record keeping, e.g.: a) Taking and recording vital signs. i.e. temperature, pulse, and respiration rate b) Urine testing and obtaining specimens c) Blood glucose monitoring d) Venepuncture Bedded Unit Healthcare Assistant e) Wound care f) Basic foot care including nail trimming and filing Maintaining appropriate sensitive, caring and tactful relationships with patients, families and carers Ensuring valid consent is gained before all aspects of care are delivered and understanding how the Mental Capacity Act is implemented when patients are unable to give valid consent Offering support as appropriate to patients, their families and carers and professional colleagues Supporting patients, and their family members, as they approach end-of life and at time of bereavement Informing registered nurses of any significant changes in patients condition and familys needs Co-operating with, and communicating clearly and professionally any changes that may affect patient care, to the registered nurse caring for the patient, or the nurse in charge Welcoming new team members and supporting learning about the role of the HCA and North Devon Hospice Working as part of a multidisciplinary team Ensuring that confidentiality of information is maintained at all times and in compliance with GDPR Developing and sustaining a good working partnership with your colleagues, other health care professionals and external agencies Working in other clinical areas as appropriate to meet the needs of the service as directed by the Clinical Team Lead or nurse in charge Ensuring that you follow good infection control practice at all times and that you are familiar with infection control policies, procedures, and guidance relevant to your area of work Understanding your role in the safeguarding of adults and children by being able to identify risks, and recognise signs of harm, abuse or neglect including how to report concerns and take immediate action to protect a person at risk of harm or abuse Person Specification Qualifications Essential A good standard of education including Maths and English GCSE at Level 4 or above (or equivalent) as well as a Level 2 in Care or equivalent Experience Essential Experience in a care role within a health or social care setting Experience in palliative care or oncology (training will be provided where necessary) Person Specification Qualifications Essential A good standard of education including Maths and English GCSE at Level 4 or above (or equivalent) as well as a Level 2 in Care or equivalent Experience Essential Experience in a care role within a health or social care setting Experience in palliative care or oncology (training will be provided where necessary) Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Employer details Employer name North Devon Hospice Address Deer Park Newport Road Barnstaple Devon EX32 0HU Employer's website https://www.northdevonhospice.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)