Hospice of the Good Shepherd

Healthcare Assistant

This job is now closed

Job summary

Inpatient Unit

24 - 30 hours per week

AFC Band 2 £23,615 FTE (per annum, pro-rata)

Would you like to work in a setting where over 96% of service users rate their care as outstanding, with minimum registered nurse to patient ratios are 1: 5 throughout the 24-hour period and 1:4 for all staff?

If so, are you looking for an opportunity where you have the time to give patients the care they need and support families and friends, provide excellent individualized nursing care, implement your knowledge and skills, acquire specialist knowledge of symptom control, develop your communication skills and progress your career in specialist palliative care?

We are looking for experienced people who will become an integral part of a supportive team based on the Inpatient Unit. The successful candidates will be self-motivated and able to work as part of the team supporting people with a variety of life limiting conditions for symptom management or end of life care. You will be positive and enthusiastic with a genuine interest in palliative care and have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide excellent care. In addition, you will demonstrate empathy and compassion which enables you to support the patients and those important to them. In return, you will be joining a friendly and welcoming team with a collective aim of positively enhancing the lives of the individuals in their care.

In addition, we will honour continuous service if you join us from the NHS.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will:

Assist in the delivery of nursing and specialist palliative care, ensuring the highest possible standards of care are received by patients and their carers while in the hospice, under the supervision of a Registered Nurse.

and will be able to:

Demonstrate their passion to promote comfort, dignity, independence, and patient choice.
Use their own initiative and work well under pressure.
Demonstrate an interest in all aspects of palliative care and long-term conditions.

About us

Working for the organisation

You will be joining a friendly and welcoming team with a collective aim of positively enhancing the lives of the individuals in their care. There will be support and guidance for the right individual through a specific induction programme in order to develop their knowledge and understanding of supporting patients with an advanced life limiting illness. You'll receive a raft of benefits and support, including:

Continuation of NHS annual leave and sickness benefitsif currently employed in the NHS. For those not currently employed in the NHS annual leave and sickness benefits will be in line with Agenda For Change practice.

Continuation of the NHS Pension Scheme for existing membersor join the hospice pension scheme.

Excellent learning and development opportunities, including preceptorship, induction and development.

Broad range of in-house education and support to attend external training.

A staff support programme including clinical supervision, confidential counselling and occupational health services.

We would encourage anyone interested in the role to come and visit us or arrange for an informal discussion prior to completing your application. Please contact Louise Hodgkinson or Melissa Evans, Deputy Ward Managers on 01244 851091.

Date posted

13 March 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£23,615 a year FTE

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

HOS1080313

Job locations

Hospice Of The Good Shepherd

Gordon Lane

Backford

Chester

CH2 4DG

Job description

Job responsibilities

Responsibilities

Contribute to the delivery of a planned programme of care under the direct supervision of the nurse

Report general observations and provide feedback to the nurse both verbally and in written formats, if required.

Use a variety of verbal and non-verbal skills to overcome communication barriers presented by patients due to their cognitive or impaired sensory deficits.

Under direction of the nurse, to play a specific role in maintaining a safe environment for patients, staff and visitors.

Undertake specific duties that contribute to the assessment of patients as requested by the nurse

Seek appropriate advice and support from the nurse during occasions when patients or their carers become distressed.

Under the direction of the nurse, maintain accurate records as required that contribute to the assessment of a patients physical condition.

Contribute to the development of risk management plans for patients by reporting to the multi-professional team any incidents of risk to the patient or risk to others as a result of the behaviour or actions of patients.

Maintain the dignity of service users at all times whilst dealing with aspects of personal care.

Adhere to hospice infection control measures at all times

Participate in the cleaning of clinical areas within the Inpatient Unit

Contribute to ongoing service improvement and development plan

Support volunteers, students and colleagues

Undertake and participate in individual performance review and personal development planning

Knowledge and Experience

Passion and motivation to promote comfort, dignity, independence and choice

Cared for patients with advanced progressive disease and supported patients and families at end of life

Able to work on own initiative, with effective time management, whilst also working as part of a team

Hold NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care or Equivalent care certificate

Skills and Attributes

Demonstrate their enthusiasm, resourcefulness and desire to enhance their practice and skills

Demonstrate an interest in all aspects of palliative care and long-term conditions

Demonstrate their ability to ensure the physical, spiritual, emotional, psychological. social and cultural needs of patients and those important to them are identified and attended to, providing and maintaining the highest possible level of nursing care

Demonstrate their passion and motivation to promote comfort, dignity, independence and choice around the clock for our patients

Use their own initiative and work well under pressure

Work well within a team

Understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality at all times

Demonstrate proven IT skills

Be able to work flexibly around the needs of the service