Health Care Assistant Nights - Hospice at Home
Please note St Clare Hospice do not hold a certificate of Sponsorship and cannot accept applications from candidates requiring sponsorship.
All applicants will need to complete a St Clare Hospice Application Form and submit with a cover letter telling us why you feel you are suitable for this role (in particular, explaining how you fulfil the requirements set out in the Person Specification).
Do you have experience working as a Health Care Assistant? (HCA)
We are currently looking to recruit a HCA who has an interest in specialist palliative care, to join our Hospice at Home service. This is an exciting developing service and involves close collaborative working with other healthcare professionals.
The role is part time working nights, 10pm - 7am, including weekends pro-rata.
If you would like to be part of a friendly and supportive team delivering excellent specialist palliative care to patients, their families, and carers in their own home, please read the job description for further details.
In return for your commitment, we offer a competitive salary, enhancements on our rates of pay for nights and weekend working, petrol allowance, benefits, generous leave, pension options (including NHS continuity), life assurance, and an Employee Assistance Programme. We also provide strong development support and learning opportunities.
Main duties of the job
Work as part of the Hospice at Home team in the provision of a high standard of specialist individualised care for palliative patients and their families or carers. This includes meeting their personal, physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs.
To have an understanding of and be able to work within the philosophy of palliative and end of life care.
To assist the Head of Community Service, Team Leaders, and members of other multi-professional teams in the provision of high standard specialist palliative care to patients with life-limiting conditions, their families, and carers in their own homes.
To perform associated clinical and general duties ensuring a compassionate and professional service to our patients and their families in their own homes.
About us
At St Clare Hospice, our vision is that every adult with a life-limiting condition in our local communities should have access to palliative care services wherever and whenever they need them, so that they can make the most of every moment, no matter how long they have left to live. Our many different services provide patients, their families, and carers with physical, emotional, social, psychological, and spiritual support, at home, or here at the Hospice.
The Hospice at Home team of Nurse Team Leaders and Health Care Assistants work closely with other health and social care providers in the community, to provide individualised care and support for people with life-limiting conditions, their families, and carers in their own home.
Job responsibilities
On completion of appropriate training, be responsible for the delivery of agreed care for patients in their own homes, ensuring that all personal care and clinical interventions are documented in accordance with St Clare policy. Adhere to Policies and Procedures of St Clare including those relating to Health and Safety, risk management, and clinical activities.
Work closely with other members of the Hospice at Home Team in the provision of hands-on personal care to patients with life-limiting conditions or at the end of life.
To work autonomously in patients' own homes, respecting their environment and being able to identify any risks and report them to the Hospice at Home Team Leader.
Ensure infection control measures are considered in the home.
Respond flexibly and promptly to requests which may involve last minute changes to planned work, as advised and requested by the Hospice at Home Team leader or other senior Clinician.
To be aware of the changing needs of patients and their carers identified in the initial assessment, and to provide holistic palliative care in accordance with the care plan.
Report promptly to the Hospice at Home Team Leader any changes in the condition of individual patients.
To communicate effectively with patients and their carers, supporting them in the expression of emotional distress and ensuring that they have access to the information they need. As part of routine practice, continually assess patients' physical comfort and condition and report on where there are changes or concerns.
Help provide support and comfort to bereaved relatives/friends/carers.
Participate in verbal and written reports. Maintain good communication with colleagues as appropriate and report back to hospice and community colleagues. To maintain accurate records.
To ensure that equipment used is properly cleaned and maintained and that you are competent in its use.
Refer patients to volunteer support workers where appropriate, carrying out risk assessments of the home prior to referral.
Support and direct a group of volunteers with guidance from the Hospice at Home Team Leader.
To work as a member of the multi-professional team, respecting the skills and knowledge of all its members.
Maintain personal and professional development by attending relevant study sessions. Complete all mandatory training and eLearning modules.
Take an active part in group supervision and reflection sessions, maintaining self and peer group support, acknowledging the challenges of working in the environment of end-of-life care.
At all times maintain confidentiality with regard to patients, relatives/carers, and other staff, abiding by St Clare Hospice policies and procedures.
To report accidents/incidents/potential risks to the Hospice at Home Team Leader immediately.
At all times act as an ambassador for St Clare Hospice to patients, relatives, colleagues, and members of the public.
Be willing to work in other clinical areas within the Hospice organisation as appropriate and requested by a senior clinician or Line Manager.
Person Specification
Skills and Abilities
* Excellent listening and communication skills. Ability to communicate with patients and families/carers in distress.
* Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues in MDT.
* Evidence of ability to provide personalised care sensitively.
* Flexible approach and the ability to prioritise workload.
* Ability to coordinate and supervise volunteers.
* IT skills to record data on electronic patient records. Familiar with the use of Outlook, Microsoft Windows, etc.
Other requirements
* Hold a Full valid UK Driving Licence and have access to a car.
Experience
* Has worked as a Healthcare assistant or other health care professional.
* Has worked with palliative patients and their families/carers.
* Community Experience.
Knowledge
* Understands the philosophy and ethos of specialist palliative care.
* Understands the changing and variable needs of patients with life-limiting conditions.
* Has knowledge of latest initiatives in palliative care.
Qualifications
* NVQ level 3 Health and Social Care or completed end of life modules at NVQ level. Or undertake/willing to undertake relevant training to gain NVQ.
Personal Qualities and Attributes
* Commitment to equality and valuing diversity and understanding of how this applies to own area of work.
* Commitment to the aims and charitable objectives of St Clare Hospice.
* Committed to own continuing professional learning and development.
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.
£18,342.07 to £19,751.25 a year depending on experience & incl of 5% High-Cost Area Allowance.
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