Job summary We are looking for a Health care assistant with a passion for palliative care to work as part of our multidisciplinary team based in Winsford. A Vacancy has arisen on Day Hospice at St Lukes (Cheshire) Hospice. If you want the time to give compassionate patient centred care as part of a small multidisciplinary team please apply. We have a 15 hour permanent position available, worked over 2 days. Main duties of the job Through guidance from qualified staff, be able to assist patients with all aspects of daily living, acknowledging their personal preferences, rights & choices and promoting privacy, dignity and respect for personal values and identity. Be aware of the communication needs of patients & significant others and use a range of effective interpersonal skills to aid communication. Become aware of the recognised grief reactions to terminal illness in patients and carers in order to be able to offer care & support. Recognise changes in patients, both physical and emotional and report them to qualified staff. Following appropriate training, to safely undertake the following duties under guidance and supervision of a qualified nurse or therapist:- Assist in the safe delivery of medications Catheter care Gastrostomy feeds and administration of feeds via the gastrostomy tube Temperature observation during blood transfusions Simple massage of patients Participate in essential ward cleaning duties. To be supportive to volunteers, students and staff on duty in the Hospice. Ensure confidentiality in all aspects of patient care, including the safe storage of information. To have a welcoming approach to patients and visitors, and assist in ensuring a safe and comfortable environment. Assist in the monitoring and maintenance of a healthy, safe and secure working environment ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements for patients, visitors and self. About us At St Lukes Hospice, our ethos is one of service; being of service to our local people and community is central to all that we do. We believe the most important privilege any person can have is the opportunity to comfort and support ones fellow human beings in their hour of need. This spirit of service at St Lukes extends not only to the patients, but also to family and friends, and we welcome diversity. The founding members of St Lukes Hospice were driven by the same ideals that inspire us today; to reach out a warm and caring hand to those in need and to help relieve their suffering of mind, spirit or body. The founder of the Hospice movement, the late Dame Cicely Saunders, wanted hospices to remain a beacon of hope with a message of care and community. St Lukes is a lively and vibrant Hospice that has a very powerful reason to be here. St Lukes is an incredibly inspiring place to work and volunteer. You will be joining a passionate team, dedicated to delivering care and support to local people and their families. We all share in the sense of privilege and honour that comes from being involved in a local organisation doing such important work and each day we look for new and innovative ways to make a difference to the wider community. Each member of staff is highly valued at St Lukes Date posted 14 January 2025 Pay scheme Other Salary £22,682.12 to £23,274.98 a year Contract Permanent Working pattern Part-time Reference number B0242-25-0000 Job locations Grosvenor House Queensway Winsford Cheshire CW7 1BH Job description Job responsibilities PURPOSE To assist nursing staff in ensuring that the highest possible standards of patient care, which reflects the philosophy, ethos and behaviours of St Lukes (Cheshire) Hospice and work within the policy and procedure framework as adopted by the Hospice based on the NMC Code of Conduct and care certificate. Key Tasks and Responsibilities Clinical Tasks Through guidance from qualified staff, be able to assist patients with all aspects of daily living, acknowledging their personal preferences, rights and choices and promoting privacy, dignity and respect for personal values and identity. Be aware of the communication needs of patients and significant others and use a range of effective interpersonal skills to aid communication. Become aware of the recognised grief reactions to terminal illness in patients and carers in order to be able to offer care and support. Recognise changes in patients, both physical and emotional and report them to qualified staff. Following appropriate training, to safely undertake the following duties under guidance and supervision of a qualified nurse or therapist:- Assist in the safe delivery of medications Catheter care Gastrostomy feeds and administration of feeds via the gastrostomy tube Temperature observation during blood transfusions Simple massage of patients Participate in essential ward cleaning duties. To be supportive to volunteers, students and staff on duty in the Hospice. Ensure confidentiality in all aspects of patient care, including the safe storage of information. To have a welcoming approach to patients and visitors, and assist in ensuring a safe and comfortable environment. Assist in the monitoring and maintenance of a healthy, safe and secure working environment ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements for patients, visitors and self. Educational To increase the knowledge of risks and cross infection in patient care and work accordingly. Participate in role specific statutory & mandatory teaching sessions organised for staff and volunteers Follow appropriate training to act as a mentor for other nursing assistants from other care settings. Introduce volunteers and visitors to the layout of the Hospice. Be aware of the written policies and procedures of St Lukes (Cheshire) Hospice in order to maintain a safe environment. Take responsibility for own learning and development by recognising and taking advantage of all opportunities to learn. Complete the care certificate with support from staff within 3 months Personnel To follow agreed policies of St Lukes (Cheshire) Hospice with regard to sickness and absence, grievance and disciplinary procedures. Complete self-certification forms following an episode of sickness or absence. Report to Senior Nurse on duty. Participate in meetings. Recognise the potentiality of stress creating aspects of the work, accept and give support to others. Assist in maintaining a close working relationship with volunteers This job description is not exhaustive and is subject to review in conjunction with the post holder and according to future changes/developments in the service. Personal Development The post holder will be expected to maintain high professional standards and keep abreast of professional issues and best practice in their area of specialism. The Hospice will support relevant education and development opportunities whenever possible and as agreed as part of personal development discussions and to meet core skills requirements and competencies. Health & Safety & Security Under health and safety legislation, each individual has a legal responsibility for their own welfare and for the health and safety of others and to co-operate in maintaining their place of work in a tidy and safe condition, thereby minimising risk. The Hospice has a Health & Safety Policy which applies to all staff. Similarly, it is each persons responsibility to ensure a secure environment and bring any breaches of security to the attention of their manager. Equal Opportunities St Lukes Cheshire Hospice has given its full commitment to the adoption and promotion of the key principles of equal opportunities contained within current legislation and St Lukes Cheshire Hospice Equality & Diversity Policy. Confidentiality In the course of your duties, you will have access to confidential material about members of staff, volunteers, other hospice business and patients. The Hospice has Data Protection Policy which applies to all staff. St Lukes Cheshire Hospice is committed to safeguarding adults and children and expects all staff to share in this commitment. Staff have a responsibility to ensure that they are aware of specific duties relating to their role and should familiarise themselves with the Hospices Safeguarding Policies. Safeguarding training is mandatory for all staff. Job description Job responsibilities PURPOSE To assist nursing staff in ensuring that the highest possible standards of patient care, which reflects the philosophy, ethos and behaviours of St Lukes (Cheshire) Hospice and work within the policy and procedure framework as adopted by the Hospice based on the NMC Code of Conduct and care certificate. Key Tasks and Responsibilities Clinical Tasks Through guidance from qualified staff, be able to assist patients with all aspects of daily living, acknowledging their personal preferences, rights and choices and promoting privacy, dignity and respect for personal values and identity. Be aware of the communication needs of patients and significant others and use a range of effective interpersonal skills to aid communication. Become aware of the recognised grief reactions to terminal illness in patients and carers in order to be able to offer care and support. Recognise changes in patients, both physical and emotional and report them to qualified staff. Following appropriate training, to safely undertake the following duties under guidance and supervision of a qualified nurse or therapist:- Assist in the safe delivery of medications Catheter care Gastrostomy feeds and administration of feeds via the gastrostomy tube Temperature observation during blood transfusions Simple massage of patients Participate in essential ward cleaning duties. To be supportive to volunteers, students and staff on duty in the Hospice. Ensure confidentiality in all aspects of patient care, including the safe storage of information. To have a welcoming approach to patients and visitors, and assist in ensuring a safe and comfortable environment. Assist in the monitoring and maintenance of a healthy, safe and secure working environment ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements for patients, visitors and self. Educational To increase the knowledge of risks and cross infection in patient care and work accordingly. Participate in role specific statutory & mandatory teaching sessions organised for staff and volunteers Follow appropriate training to act as a mentor for other nursing assistants from other care settings. Introduce volunteers and visitors to the layout of the Hospice. Be aware of the written policies and procedures of St Lukes (Cheshire) Hospice in order to maintain a safe environment. Take responsibility for own learning and development by recognising and taking advantage of all opportunities to learn. Complete the care certificate with support from staff within 3 months Personnel To follow agreed policies of St Lukes (Cheshire) Hospice with regard to sickness and absence, grievance and disciplinary procedures. Complete self-certification forms following an episode of sickness or absence. Report to Senior Nurse on duty. Participate in meetings. Recognise the potentiality of stress creating aspects of the work, accept and give support to others. Assist in maintaining a close working relationship with volunteers This job description is not exhaustive and is subject to review in conjunction with the post holder and according to future changes/developments in the service. Personal Development The post holder will be expected to maintain high professional standards and keep abreast of professional issues and best practice in their area of specialism. The Hospice will support relevant education and development opportunities whenever possible and as agreed as part of personal development discussions and to meet core skills requirements and competencies. Health & Safety & Security Under health and safety legislation, each individual has a legal responsibility for their own welfare and for the health and safety of others and to co-operate in maintaining their place of work in a tidy and safe condition, thereby minimising risk. The Hospice has a Health & Safety Policy which applies to all staff. Similarly, it is each persons responsibility to ensure a secure environment and bring any breaches of security to the attention of their manager. Equal Opportunities St Lukes Cheshire Hospice has given its full commitment to the adoption and promotion of the key principles of equal opportunities contained within current legislation and St Lukes Cheshire Hospice Equality & Diversity Policy. Confidentiality In the course of your duties, you will have access to confidential material about members of staff, volunteers, other hospice business and patients. The Hospice has Data Protection Policy which applies to all staff. St Lukes Cheshire Hospice is committed to safeguarding adults and children and expects all staff to share in this commitment. Staff have a responsibility to ensure that they are aware of specific duties relating to their role and should familiarise themselves with the Hospices Safeguarding Policies. Safeguarding training is mandatory for all staff. Person Specification Experience Essential Experience of working in a care environment Experience of working as part of a team Desirable Working in a palliative care setting Skills and Abilities Essential Excellent interpersonal & communication skills both verbal and written Ability to empathise and treat people with dignity and respect Basic hands on nursing skills Desirable Willingness to develop skills and abilities to accommodate the changing needs of the service Knowledge Essential Basic understanding of Hospice values and ethos Some understanding of palliative/terminal care Good understanding of holistic care for patient and family Desirable A willingness to learn and increase knowledge base Personal Attributes Essential Able to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team Shows compassion and treats people with dignity, respect and kindness Flexible approach to work Organised and reliable Self aware and cares for own wellbeing Other Requirements Essential Enhanced DBS disclosure Flexibility Qualifications Essential Educated to Level 2 and/or equivalent working Desirable NVQ in care Care certificate Person Specification Experience Essential Experience of working in a care environment Experience of working as part of a team Desirable Working in a palliative care setting Skills and Abilities Essential Excellent interpersonal & communication skills both verbal and written Ability to empathise and treat people with dignity and respect Basic hands on nursing skills Desirable Willingness to develop skills and abilities to accommodate the changing needs of the service Knowledge Essential Basic understanding of Hospice values and ethos Some understanding of palliative/terminal care Good understanding of holistic care for patient and family Desirable A willingness to learn and increase knowledge base Personal Attributes Essential Able to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team Shows compassion and treats people with dignity, respect and kindness Flexible approach to work Organised and reliable Self aware and cares for own wellbeing Other Requirements Essential Enhanced DBS disclosure Flexibility Qualifications Essential Educated to Level 2 and/or equivalent working Desirable NVQ in care Care certificate 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 St Luke’s (Cheshire) Hospice Address Grosvenor House Queensway Winsford Cheshire CW7 1BH Employer's website https://www.slhospice.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)