Saint Michaels Hospice

Senior Healthcare Assistant

The closing date is 12 October 2025

Job summary

Do you want to be part of an organisation that makes a real difference to our local communities? Our family of services including Herriot Hospice Homecare, Just B and Saint Michaels Hospice provide vital support to people when they need it most. Our vision is of a community where everyone gets the care they need, want and deserve You can help make that a reality.

We are an independent charity powered by local communities. Every day, we help to improve quality of life for people living with terminal illness, bereavement and mental health concerns, because our belief is that no one should suffer. Our incredible teams work together to make this happen.

Main duties of the job

As a Senior Team HCA, youll be at the heart of our mission to deliver compassionate, high-quality, patient-centred hospice care. Youll provide holistic, evidence-based support to individuals with life-limiting illnesses, ensuring patients and families receive both emotional and practical care during lifes most vulnerable moments. Acting as a shift leader, youll guide and mentor Healthcare staff, allocating tasks, ensuring care plans are delivered, and inspiring your team to provide the very best standards of care.

To thrive, youll bring at least three years experience in a specialist care setting, ideally with two years leading end-of-life care. Compassionate, resilient and highly organised, youll be confident in clinical practice while skilled in leadership, mentoring and decision-making. With strong communication skills, IT proficiency and a sound understanding of safeguarding, infection control and multidisciplinary teamwork, youll be a role model for best practice. Above all, youll embody our hospice values, compassion, dignity, inclusivity and professionalism and act as a positive ambassador for hospice care within the community.

About us

How we look after you

We put people first in all that we do, which includes our own team

Wellbeing and resilience support with a dedicated team by your side

Flexible and hybrid working for many roles

A supportive and caring environment

Opportunities to grow, develop and progress, with culture of lifelong learning

Details

Date posted

17 September 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£31,461.18 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

B0009-25-0004

Job locations

Crimple House

Hornbeam Park Avenue

Harrogate

HG2 8NA


Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Purpose

To provide on-shift leadership and management of our Hospice Nurses and HealthCare Assistants to deliver patient-centred care and support.

To be part of the inpatient services management team to delivery serviceimprovements to clinical services.

To support others and to be able to independently plan and deliver patient-centredcare, working closely with patients and their families.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Intervention

Places quality at the centre of care by providing evidence-based, individualised, andpersonalised support through holistic needs assessment, risk assessments, careplanning, and evaluation of all care interventions. Follows agreed care and supportplans and actively integrates theory and practice into daily work.

Demonstrates excellent communication skills and expertise in hospice care, includingthe ability to manage emotional distress for patients and their loved ones whenneeded.

Contributes to service development, promoting excellence in care.

Promotes clinical excellence through innovation, audit, evaluation, and research.

Maintains accurate patient records.

Leadership and people management

Forms part of the IPU Management team, delivering on service-led requirements, andleading the Hospice Nurses, Hospice Nurse Specialists and Hospice Health CareAssistants as required.

Takes the line management of Hospice Nurses and Hospice Health Care Assistants asis needed by the organisation.

To act as part of the management team on shift, providing decision-making andtroubleshooting.

To act as a manager on shift whenever required.

Effectively allocating work and maintaining responsibility for delegated tasks.

Demonstrates leadership through clinical expertise, delivering high-quality, person centred care and using a co-creating care approach with patients and their familiesaffected by life-limiting illnesses.

Contributes to the education and training of other healthcare professionals involvedin patient care.

Supports the development and promotion of the hospice, ensuring the delivery ofhigh-quality, cost-effective care.

Encourages patient and community involvement within the practice setting.

Collects accurate and comprehensive data to provide evidence of activity,outcomes, and quality.

Takes professional responsibility for ensuring effective communication between allservice providers across the care pathway.

Actively participates in multi-professional meetings, acting as a patient advocate andrepresenting nursing views.

Ensures that patients and their families are aware of the full range of resources andservices available through the hospice.

Develops skills in conflict resolution and negotiation to handle difficult or challengingsituations.

Supports the development of patient-focused education, including training tomanage treatment side effects effectively.

Innovation:

Develops new skills in response to emerging knowledge and techniques.

Works across professional boundaries, employing creative reasoning, positivity andproblem-solving.

Supports and manages change from a solution-focused place.

Governance

Participates in all governance meetings, such as the adverse events group, asneeded by the organisation.

Will undertake investigations, audits, policy and procedure reviews as required by theorganisation.

Professional Development

Acquires and applies clinical, technical, and evaluation skills through a broad and in-depthknowledge base.

Utilises clinical expertise, clinical judgement, creative thinking, and experience toenhance patient care, seeking support from others when necessary.

Takes personal responsibility for ongoing learning and development through reflectivepractice, self-appraisal, and actively engages with the learning and developmentopportunities provided by the hospice.

Special Features of the job

To deliver on time-specific projects for service improvements across clinical services.

To nurture and develop Hospice Nurses and Healthcare Assistants to deliver their roleseffectively.

To provide competencies and training as needed to Hospice Nurses and HealthcareAssistants to support in their maintenance of training requirements and continualprofessional development.

Working autonomously within a team, you'll deliver patient-centred and holistic care.

Our service operates 24/7, 365 days a year, with clinical roles rostered to ensureround-the-clock coverage. Although rosters are planned, there may be times whenyou'll need to adjust your scheduled rota at short notice. If this is the case, we canmake individual arrangements, provided they align with our Flexible Working Policyand are approved by the Director responsible for the service.

In necessary circumstances, we may need to make last-minute changes to shifts tomaintain high-quality, safe patient care. We'd initially ask for your cooperation, onlyresorting to compulsory changes if necessary.

Personal Development

We warmly encourage all staff and volunteers at the Hospice to play an active role inidentifying and fulfilling their development needs related to their jobs. We aim tosupport you through various processes, such as regular one-on-one meetings with yourLine Managers or senior colleagues, plus annual appraisal and development reviews.

Every employee benefits from an annual appraisal, and to make the most of thisopportunity, it's important to engage fully in the review and collaborate with your LineManager on your individual, team, and organisational objectives.

Additionally, we kindly ask each employee to participate in all relevant mandatoryand statutory training, as required by our organisation and /or their professionalbodies.

General

Lead and work from a place of positivity and solution-focused

Act as a charity ambassador and encourage others to do the same.

Collaborate closely with colleagues in Fundraising and Marketing to promote thehospice's charitable activities and participate in fundraising as needed.

Ensure the team understands the hospice's structure, values, and purpose, and hasopportunities to contribute to its development.

Maintain confidentiality regarding staff, volunteer, and client records, as well asprivileged information about the charity's services, patients, staff, and volunteers.

Enhance the hospice's reputation within the community and among private, statutory,and voluntary sector agencies.

Perform any other duties as reasonably required.

All staff must be supportive of and able to promote the philosophy and concept ofhospice care.

The hospice provides staff support, and employees are expected to take responsibilityfor accessing and providing suitable support to ensure they can deliver professionalcare.

The above is indicative of the current responsibilities of the post which may change from timeto time in consultation with the post holder in line with the service need.

Throughout your time with us we will conduct ongoing employment checks and performancereviews relevant to your role, for example professional registration checks, DBS, appraisals andregular contact meetings.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Purpose

To provide on-shift leadership and management of our Hospice Nurses and HealthCare Assistants to deliver patient-centred care and support.

To be part of the inpatient services management team to delivery serviceimprovements to clinical services.

To support others and to be able to independently plan and deliver patient-centredcare, working closely with patients and their families.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Intervention

Places quality at the centre of care by providing evidence-based, individualised, andpersonalised support through holistic needs assessment, risk assessments, careplanning, and evaluation of all care interventions. Follows agreed care and supportplans and actively integrates theory and practice into daily work.

Demonstrates excellent communication skills and expertise in hospice care, includingthe ability to manage emotional distress for patients and their loved ones whenneeded.

Contributes to service development, promoting excellence in care.

Promotes clinical excellence through innovation, audit, evaluation, and research.

Maintains accurate patient records.

Leadership and people management

Forms part of the IPU Management team, delivering on service-led requirements, andleading the Hospice Nurses, Hospice Nurse Specialists and Hospice Health CareAssistants as required.

Takes the line management of Hospice Nurses and Hospice Health Care Assistants asis needed by the organisation.

To act as part of the management team on shift, providing decision-making andtroubleshooting.

To act as a manager on shift whenever required.

Effectively allocating work and maintaining responsibility for delegated tasks.

Demonstrates leadership through clinical expertise, delivering high-quality, person centred care and using a co-creating care approach with patients and their familiesaffected by life-limiting illnesses.

Contributes to the education and training of other healthcare professionals involvedin patient care.

Supports the development and promotion of the hospice, ensuring the delivery ofhigh-quality, cost-effective care.

Encourages patient and community involvement within the practice setting.

Collects accurate and comprehensive data to provide evidence of activity,outcomes, and quality.

Takes professional responsibility for ensuring effective communication between allservice providers across the care pathway.

Actively participates in multi-professional meetings, acting as a patient advocate andrepresenting nursing views.

Ensures that patients and their families are aware of the full range of resources andservices available through the hospice.

Develops skills in conflict resolution and negotiation to handle difficult or challengingsituations.

Supports the development of patient-focused education, including training tomanage treatment side effects effectively.

Innovation:

Develops new skills in response to emerging knowledge and techniques.

Works across professional boundaries, employing creative reasoning, positivity andproblem-solving.

Supports and manages change from a solution-focused place.

Governance

Participates in all governance meetings, such as the adverse events group, asneeded by the organisation.

Will undertake investigations, audits, policy and procedure reviews as required by theorganisation.

Professional Development

Acquires and applies clinical, technical, and evaluation skills through a broad and in-depthknowledge base.

Utilises clinical expertise, clinical judgement, creative thinking, and experience toenhance patient care, seeking support from others when necessary.

Takes personal responsibility for ongoing learning and development through reflectivepractice, self-appraisal, and actively engages with the learning and developmentopportunities provided by the hospice.

Special Features of the job

To deliver on time-specific projects for service improvements across clinical services.

To nurture and develop Hospice Nurses and Healthcare Assistants to deliver their roleseffectively.

To provide competencies and training as needed to Hospice Nurses and HealthcareAssistants to support in their maintenance of training requirements and continualprofessional development.

Working autonomously within a team, you'll deliver patient-centred and holistic care.

Our service operates 24/7, 365 days a year, with clinical roles rostered to ensureround-the-clock coverage. Although rosters are planned, there may be times whenyou'll need to adjust your scheduled rota at short notice. If this is the case, we canmake individual arrangements, provided they align with our Flexible Working Policyand are approved by the Director responsible for the service.

In necessary circumstances, we may need to make last-minute changes to shifts tomaintain high-quality, safe patient care. We'd initially ask for your cooperation, onlyresorting to compulsory changes if necessary.

Personal Development

We warmly encourage all staff and volunteers at the Hospice to play an active role inidentifying and fulfilling their development needs related to their jobs. We aim tosupport you through various processes, such as regular one-on-one meetings with yourLine Managers or senior colleagues, plus annual appraisal and development reviews.

Every employee benefits from an annual appraisal, and to make the most of thisopportunity, it's important to engage fully in the review and collaborate with your LineManager on your individual, team, and organisational objectives.

Additionally, we kindly ask each employee to participate in all relevant mandatoryand statutory training, as required by our organisation and /or their professionalbodies.

General

Lead and work from a place of positivity and solution-focused

Act as a charity ambassador and encourage others to do the same.

Collaborate closely with colleagues in Fundraising and Marketing to promote thehospice's charitable activities and participate in fundraising as needed.

Ensure the team understands the hospice's structure, values, and purpose, and hasopportunities to contribute to its development.

Maintain confidentiality regarding staff, volunteer, and client records, as well asprivileged information about the charity's services, patients, staff, and volunteers.

Enhance the hospice's reputation within the community and among private, statutory,and voluntary sector agencies.

Perform any other duties as reasonably required.

All staff must be supportive of and able to promote the philosophy and concept ofhospice care.

The hospice provides staff support, and employees are expected to take responsibilityfor accessing and providing suitable support to ensure they can deliver professionalcare.

The above is indicative of the current responsibilities of the post which may change from timeto time in consultation with the post holder in line with the service need.

Throughout your time with us we will conduct ongoing employment checks and performancereviews relevant to your role, for example professional registration checks, DBS, appraisals andregular contact meetings.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Health and social care degree or suitable experience equivalent.
  • At least 3 years practical experience of care in a specialist clinical setting
  • Ability to deliver care under the direction of a nurse care plan and to support others to.
  • Ability to assess complex patient needs and escalate appropriately as required.
  • An excellent level of understanding and interest in Palliative Care and End of Life Care
  • Evidence of delivering projects for clinical or service development.
  • Experience of ward logistics and management.
  • Excellent Communication skills.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills.
  • Excellent record keeping skills and documentation.
  • IT literate with the ability to use Microsoft and Outlook as a minimum.
  • Understanding of Infection Control.
  • Understanding of Multidisciplinary Team Working.
  • Understanding of safeguarding/ DOLS and how these would be required at the end of life.
  • Demonstrable practice of implementing and adapting for a Patient Centred Approach
  • Experience of ward working employing good organisational skills
  • Understanding of Health and Safety issues relating to an Inpatient Unit and patient care generally.
  • Positive attitude to Patient Care.
  • Commitment to CPD of self and others, including specialist palliative care training.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to North Yorkshires Hospice Cares aims and objectives through its core values and behaviours.
  • Full understanding of and strong commitment to confidentiality.

Desirable

  • European Palliative Care Certificate or specific palliative care learning.
  • At least 2 years demonstrable experience of leading the care for patients at end of life or requiring symptom control.
  • Experience of mentoring and line managing staff through development.
  • Understanding of Clinical Audit.
  • Understanding of how a service would deploy clinical skills in palliative care e.g. wound care, mouth care, palliative symptom control.
  • Evidence and engagement with positive collaborative team working skills.
  • Self awareness and ability to recognise signs of stress and knowledge of coping strategies.
  • Flexible attitude to work, and undertaking of
  • role.
  • Promote and sustain a responsible attitude towards diversity and inclusion.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Health and social care degree or suitable experience equivalent.
  • At least 3 years practical experience of care in a specialist clinical setting
  • Ability to deliver care under the direction of a nurse care plan and to support others to.
  • Ability to assess complex patient needs and escalate appropriately as required.
  • An excellent level of understanding and interest in Palliative Care and End of Life Care
  • Evidence of delivering projects for clinical or service development.
  • Experience of ward logistics and management.
  • Excellent Communication skills.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills.
  • Excellent record keeping skills and documentation.
  • IT literate with the ability to use Microsoft and Outlook as a minimum.
  • Understanding of Infection Control.
  • Understanding of Multidisciplinary Team Working.
  • Understanding of safeguarding/ DOLS and how these would be required at the end of life.
  • Demonstrable practice of implementing and adapting for a Patient Centred Approach
  • Experience of ward working employing good organisational skills
  • Understanding of Health and Safety issues relating to an Inpatient Unit and patient care generally.
  • Positive attitude to Patient Care.
  • Commitment to CPD of self and others, including specialist palliative care training.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to North Yorkshires Hospice Cares aims and objectives through its core values and behaviours.
  • Full understanding of and strong commitment to confidentiality.

Desirable

  • European Palliative Care Certificate or specific palliative care learning.
  • At least 2 years demonstrable experience of leading the care for patients at end of life or requiring symptom control.
  • Experience of mentoring and line managing staff through development.
  • Understanding of Clinical Audit.
  • Understanding of how a service would deploy clinical skills in palliative care e.g. wound care, mouth care, palliative symptom control.
  • Evidence and engagement with positive collaborative team working skills.
  • Self awareness and ability to recognise signs of stress and knowledge of coping strategies.
  • Flexible attitude to work, and undertaking of
  • role.
  • Promote and sustain a responsible attitude towards diversity and inclusion.

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

Saint Michaels Hospice

Address

Crimple House

Hornbeam Park Avenue

Harrogate

HG2 8NA


Employer's website

https://saintmichaelshospice.current-vacancies.com/Careers/StMichaels-1955/?cid=1955 (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Saint Michaels Hospice

Address

Crimple House

Hornbeam Park Avenue

Harrogate

HG2 8NA


Employer's website

https://saintmichaelshospice.current-vacancies.com/Careers/StMichaels-1955/?cid=1955 (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Details

Date posted

17 September 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£31,461.18 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

B0009-25-0004

Job locations

Crimple House

Hornbeam Park Avenue

Harrogate

HG2 8NA


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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