Health Care Assistant
Job Description
Job summary
Could you make a real difference to patients and their families at the end of life?
Do you want to join the St Leonard's Hospice Team providing excellent care to patients from York and the surrounding area at the end of life?
We have an exciting opportunity for a skilled and compassionate individual to join the Hospice as a Health Care Assistant to make a difference both personally and professionally to patients who require palliative and end of life care. This is a great opportunity to consider a career move into palliative care, as a supported induction and tailored development plan will enable you to gain the specialist skills required. No previous care experience is required.
Main duties of the job
This position is based on our Inpatient Unit and as a Health Care Assistant, you will work as part of the multi-disciplinary team under the guidance of a registered nurse and be involved in the following:
- Delivering high standards of holistic care to patients and their families
- Providing excellent communication skills to the patients and their families and members of the multi-disciplinary team
- Maintaining accurate records of care
- Working with a dedicated team of professionals, ensuring the needs of the patients and families are met with compassion and excellence
What we can offer you:
- salary above NHS pay scales
- shift enhancements
- up to 41 days annual leave
- opportunity to continue NHS pension and length of service based annual leave entitlement
- attractive pension scheme (non-NHS)
- a modern IPU with great facilities for patients and their families
- high staff to patient ratios
- opportunity to be a supernumerary as part of the induction
- work at a Hospice that has research and campaigning at the forefront of its mission
- free car parking
- great CPD opportunities
What we need from you:
- excellent interpersonal skills
- ability to respond appropriately to emotionally challenging situations
- willingness and flexibility to work unsocial hours including nights, weekends and bank holidays
About us
Our mission is to provide excellent care and support to those living with life-limiting illness and to the people they care about, to enrich their lives and to contribute to the ongoing development of end-of-life care. We do this by placing our patients at the centre of everything we do, and through involving patients and their families in all decisions regarding their care.
We can only achieve this with the help of our amazing colleagues, by developing and recognising their contribution, and by sharing our knowledge and skills through education, audit and research.
We do not have sponsorship status and therefore all our offers are made conditional upon our candidates submitting evidence of their right to work in the UK in conjunction with our other pre-employment checks.
Job responsibilities
To work as a member of the multi-disciplinary team in providing a high standard of care for patients and their families under the care of the Hospice.
Main duties and responsibilities
Professional
1. Develop excellent communications with the patient and their family, passing on all relevant information to a qualified nurse.
2. Inform a qualified nurse of any change in the patients condition.
3. Respect the privacy and dignity of the patient at all times and keep strict confidentiality.
4. Carry out personal cares for the patient under the direction of a qualified nurse.
5. Maintain accurate records of care under the supervision of qualified staff.
6. When required to act as a patients escort on external visits.
7. Undertake light domestic and catering duties.
8. Participate in full rotation across all shifts including nights, weekends and bank holidays.
Managerial
1. Follow Hospice procedures when giving or receiving telephone messages.
2. Follow Hospice procedures in the care and custody of patients valuables and property.
3. Follow the Hospice procedures on the reporting of all accidents, incidents, hazards or complaints.
4. Exercise care and economy in the use of property and equipment.
5. Maintain a caring and mutually supportive working environment for all members of staff and volunteers, being sensitive to the emotional needs of colleagues and giving appropriate support to them.
Education
1. Assist with the orientation of new staff members and others on placement within the Hospice.
2. Is prepared to work towards achieving the Care Certificate.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Care Certificate or willingness to undertake training
Desirable
- NVQ Qualification in Care
Other
Essential
- Be prepared to assist with Hospice fundraising activities
- Enhanced DBS check
- Ability to work unsocial hours including nights and weekends
Desirable
- Vehicle owner with full UK driving licence
- Knowledge of York and surrounding area
Communication
Essential
- Good written and verbal communication
- Good interpersonal skills
- Ability to be sensitive and empathetic
- Able to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team
Personal
Essential
- Work confidentially and with discretion
- Enthusiasm
- Awareness and ability to cope with pressure
- Ability to work in a challenging environment
- Flexible to the changing needs of the post
- Be accurate and methodical
- Honest, trustworthy, reliable and punctual
- Approachable, team player
- Committed to providing a quality and measurable service
- Ability to accept support from other team members
- Respect for others ethnic or/and religious/spiritual beliefs
- Committed to own continuing professional development
- A commitment to Hospice care and to have a philosophy and concept of Hospice care
IT
Essential
- Good basic IT skills
- Knowledge of Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
Experience
Desirable
- Experience of palliative care
- Experience of working as a carer
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 Leonard's Hospice
Address
St. Leonards Hospice
185 Tadcaster Road
Dringhouses
York
YO24 1GL
