Job summary
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 full time working early, late and night duties including weekends pro rata.
If you would you 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.
Please 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).
Right to work: Please note St Clare Hospice does not hold a Sponsorship License and therefore we cannot accept applications from candidates requiring
sponsorship.
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/carers. To include
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
St Clare Hospice is a charity providing specialist palliative care to improve the lives of
people affected by a life-limiting illness in West Essex and the borders of East
Hertfordshire. Our care helps patients, their families, and carers, to make the most of
every moment together, no matter how long they have left to live.
We support them at home and in the Hospice. With limited NHS funding, we need to raise
more than 70% of our annual costs to provide our vital services; in 2024/2025 the running
costs of our charity are expected to be £8.1 million.
We therefore rely on our local community to help us raise money each year so we can
continue being there for local families facing one of the most difficult journeys in life.
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 description
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
HCA Hospice at Home
and Procedures of St Clare in 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 be
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 to 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.
To complete all mandatory training, and eLearning modules.
Take an active part in group supervision and reflection sessions, maintaining self and
peer group support, acknowledge 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 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.
Job description
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
HCA Hospice at Home
and Procedures of St Clare in 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 be
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 to 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.
To complete all mandatory training, and eLearning modules.
Take an active part in group supervision and reflection sessions, maintaining self and
peer group support, acknowledge 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 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
Personal Qualities and Attributes
Essential
- 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
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- 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
Desirable
- Ability to coordinate and supervise volunteers.
- IT skills to record data on electronic patient records
- Familiar with the use of Outlook, micro- soft windows etc.
Experience
Essential
- Has worked as a Healthcare assistant or other health care
- professional
Desirable
- Has worked with palliative patients their families/carers
- Community Experience
Qualifications
Essential
- 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
Knowledge
Essential
- Understands the philosophy and ethos of specialist palliative
- care
Desirable
- Understands the changing and variable needs of patients with
- life limiting conditions
- Has knowledge of latest initiatives in palliative care
Other requirements
Essential
- Hold a Full valid UK Driving Licence and have access to a car.
Other requirements
Essential
- Hold a Full valid UK Driving Licence and have access to a car.
Person Specification
Personal Qualities and Attributes
Essential
- 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
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- 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
Desirable
- Ability to coordinate and supervise volunteers.
- IT skills to record data on electronic patient records
- Familiar with the use of Outlook, micro- soft windows etc.
Experience
Essential
- Has worked as a Healthcare assistant or other health care
- professional
Desirable
- Has worked with palliative patients their families/carers
- Community Experience
Qualifications
Essential
- 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
Knowledge
Essential
- Understands the philosophy and ethos of specialist palliative
- care
Desirable
- Understands the changing and variable needs of patients with
- life limiting conditions
- Has knowledge of latest initiatives in palliative care
Other requirements
Essential
- Hold a Full valid UK Driving Licence and have access to a car.
Other requirements
Essential
- Hold a Full valid UK Driving Licence and have access to a car.
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.
