Healthcare Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job purpose

This part-time role involves supporting patients with life-limiting illnesses and supporting their carers. You will help to provide comfort, dignity, and compassionate care in a therapeutic environment. The ethos of the service is to ensure our patients can maintain independence and enjoy life as far as they possibly can. You will work under the supervision of an experienced registered nurse as part of a multidisciplinary team.

• Provide personal care and emotional support to patients attending the day hospice.
• Assist patients with mobility, nutrition, and hygiene needs as required.
• Support patients in engaging with therapeutic activities and social interaction.
• Observe and report changes in patients condition to the registered nurse.
• Offer reassurance and practical support to carers and family members.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for patients and visitors.
• Contribute to the smooth running of the day hospice through teamwork and flexibility.
• Work closely with specific patients that you will be the primary support for, you will be supported with your caseload and supervised indirectly by the registered nurse.
• You will support patients through some difficult conversations and planning.
• You will undertake some therapy support tasks with guidance from the physiotherapist and occupational therapist to aid patients in maintaining their independence.
• You will help devise new and interesting activities for patients and carers to keep sessions appropriate to meet their needs.

• Training and supervision will be provided.
• Opportunities for further development and learning within a supportive team.
• This role reports directly to an experienced registered nurse.

Person Specification

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Compassionate, respectful, and patient-centred approach.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.
• Able to hold difficult and sometimes emotional
• conversations with patients, supporting them through their journey.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism at all times.
• Imaginative and enthusiastic, able to create activities and events to support the service.

Experience

Essential

• Previous experience in a care setting, ideally with palliative or hospice care.

Job circumstances

Essential

• Travel within the community will be required; a valid drivers license and access to a vehicle is required.

Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in Health and Social Care (or willingness to work towards).

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

Longfield Hospice

Address

Burleigh Lane

Minchinhampton

Gloucestershire

GL5 2PQ

Employer's website

https://www.longfield.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)