Job summary
About the role We are looking for compassionate, motivated individuals to provide high-quality care for people with life-limiting illness who are being cared for at home during the final weeks of life.
Key responsibilities You will provide agreed care for patients in the final eight weeks of life, working with sensitivity, dignity and compassion. You will also support families and carers during this difficult stage, helping to ensure they feel informed, reassured and supported.
Could recognise changes in patients’ conditions and act appropriately – follow guidance’s/ report to appropriate health practitioners.
Establish and maintain effective communications with patients, carers and health professionals in a professional manner.
Understand the philosophy and ethos behind the care provided at Wirral Hospice St Johns. Assist the registered practitioners in developing and maintaining a safe, caring and supportive environment for patients, relatives and staff.
Main duties of the job
Successful candidates must possess NVQ Level 2 in Care, care certificate or equivalent.
You should be able to demonstrate excellent communication skills, flexibility and team working.
IT skills, experience in supporting patients with medication, working in an inpatient / residential setting or with life limiting illness will be an advantage.
We are looking for caring and compassionate people who want to deliver high-quality care to patients that are in the last weeks of life.
It will suit someone who is confident in dealing with other professionals and can use computerised record systems.
Flexibility, responsibility and professionalism and having positive relationships with colleagues are key, as are the abilities to uphold our values of being: Compassionate, Accountable, Respectful, Equitable and Sustainable – in regard to your patients, colleagues and across the organisation.
A full driving licence is essential for this role.
About us
Wirral Hospice St Johns has a 43-year history of supporting the residents of Wirral who have incurable life limiting illness. The organisation continues to grow and develop in response to the needs of our community. Currently support is delivered by multi professional teams working in our 16-bed Inpatient unit, Outpatient, Wellbeing and Hospice at Home services.
The hospice benefits from being an independent charity allowing flexibility and creativity in the design and delivery of services whilst being firmly integrated with key local NHS providers. Care and support are delivered with integrity and quality.
NHS Superannuation is transferrable for existing members of the NHS Pension Scheme
As an organisation we are committed to developing the skills and interests of our staff to ensure the workforce is motivated and equipped to deliver what is expected of them in a compassionate and competent manner through apprenticeships, formal training and workplace experience.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job title Health care Assistant
Hospice band Band 3
Location Hospice-based Community
Contract Permanent subject to probation
Hours Part Time/ Full Time Available
Closing date 26th July 2026
Interviews 6th August 2026
Wirral Hospice St Johns has more than 43-years of supporting the residents of Wirral who have incurable, life limiting illness. The organisation continues to grow and develop in response to the needs of our community. Currently support is delivered by multi professional teams working in our 16-bedInpatient unit, Outpatient, Wellbeing and Hospice at Home services.
The current opportunity is in our Hospice at Home-Personal care service. This is a well-established community service that provides support for people with a life limiting illness, who are being cared for at home in the last weeks of their life. The care is delivered through three calls a day. This care can be supplemented with hospice at home day and night sits as well as working with Marie Curie night service and night pop in service.
We are looking for health care assistants who are compassionate, caring and want to deliver high-quality care to patients that are at end of life. This post is over seven days a week, enhancement is paid for Saturday and Sunday.
The hospice benefits from being an independent charity allowing flexibility and creativity in the design and delivery of services whilst being firmly integrated with key local NHS providers. Care and support are delivered with integrity and quality.
As a relatively small organisation we are committed to developing the skills and interests of our staff to ensure the workforce is motivated and equipped to deliver what is expected of them in a compassionate and competent manner through apprenticeships, formal training and workplace experience.
We are looking for health care assistants with excellent communication, organisational and team working skills and a desire to develop their practice and make a positive impact on those they support. Ability to work under pressure and the ability to organise and prioritise your workload is essential.
Previous experience of working in palliative care or life limiting conditions area requirement. Flexibility, responsibility and professionalism are key, as are the abilities to uphold our values of being: Compassionate, Accountable, Respectful, Equitable and Sustainable regarding your patients, colleagues and across the organisation.
Also, a sense of humour helps hospices are full of laughter!
We have an onsite Clinical Educator and offer access to in-house development and support external education where this is identified in our staff development and appraisal process.
This is a role where two days are never the same, and you have the chance to improve the experience of patients and families when life is most vulnerable.
In return, some of the benefits that we can offer to the successful candidates include continuation of NHS Superannuation Pension Scheme, for existing members of the NHS Pension Scheme and a commitment to learning and development.
Posts are subject to an appropriate level of Disclosure & Barring Service Certificate. Wirral Hospice St Johns has a responsibility to ensure that all children/young people and adults are adequately safeguarded and protected and that Safeguarding is Every ones Business.
For an application pack:
Alternatively, for an informal chat before applying, please contact:
Completed application forms to be returned by the closing date to:
-
Wirral Hospice St Johns, Workforce Office, Mount Road, Higher Bebington, Wirral CH63 6JE
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job title Health care Assistant
Hospice band Band 3
Location Hospice-based Community
Contract Permanent subject to probation
Hours Part Time/ Full Time Available
Closing date 26th July 2026
Interviews 6th August 2026
Wirral Hospice St Johns has more than 43-years of supporting the residents of Wirral who have incurable, life limiting illness. The organisation continues to grow and develop in response to the needs of our community. Currently support is delivered by multi professional teams working in our 16-bedInpatient unit, Outpatient, Wellbeing and Hospice at Home services.
The current opportunity is in our Hospice at Home-Personal care service. This is a well-established community service that provides support for people with a life limiting illness, who are being cared for at home in the last weeks of their life. The care is delivered through three calls a day. This care can be supplemented with hospice at home day and night sits as well as working with Marie Curie night service and night pop in service.
We are looking for health care assistants who are compassionate, caring and want to deliver high-quality care to patients that are at end of life. This post is over seven days a week, enhancement is paid for Saturday and Sunday.
The hospice benefits from being an independent charity allowing flexibility and creativity in the design and delivery of services whilst being firmly integrated with key local NHS providers. Care and support are delivered with integrity and quality.
As a relatively small organisation we are committed to developing the skills and interests of our staff to ensure the workforce is motivated and equipped to deliver what is expected of them in a compassionate and competent manner through apprenticeships, formal training and workplace experience.
We are looking for health care assistants with excellent communication, organisational and team working skills and a desire to develop their practice and make a positive impact on those they support. Ability to work under pressure and the ability to organise and prioritise your workload is essential.
Previous experience of working in palliative care or life limiting conditions area requirement. Flexibility, responsibility and professionalism are key, as are the abilities to uphold our values of being: Compassionate, Accountable, Respectful, Equitable and Sustainable regarding your patients, colleagues and across the organisation.
Also, a sense of humour helps hospices are full of laughter!
We have an onsite Clinical Educator and offer access to in-house development and support external education where this is identified in our staff development and appraisal process.
This is a role where two days are never the same, and you have the chance to improve the experience of patients and families when life is most vulnerable.
In return, some of the benefits that we can offer to the successful candidates include continuation of NHS Superannuation Pension Scheme, for existing members of the NHS Pension Scheme and a commitment to learning and development.
Posts are subject to an appropriate level of Disclosure & Barring Service Certificate. Wirral Hospice St Johns has a responsibility to ensure that all children/young people and adults are adequately safeguarded and protected and that Safeguarding is Every ones Business.
For an application pack:
Alternatively, for an informal chat before applying, please contact:
Completed application forms to be returned by the closing date to:
-
Wirral Hospice St Johns, Workforce Office, Mount Road, Higher Bebington, Wirral CH63 6JE
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ 2 in Health and Social Care or equivalent Care Certificate
EXPERIENCE & ATTAINMENTS
Essential
- 6 months experience as a health care assistant.
- Ability to use a range of IT systems including electronic patient records.
- Experience with Microsoft Outlook and emails.
- Word processing/Microsoft Word
Desirable
- Understanding of life limiting conditions for patients and families
- Experience of end-of-life care
- Understand information Governance/use of patient information
- Previous experience of community working
CLINICAL SKILLS
Essential
- Patient facing experience
- Have a keen eye for detail and the ability to manage a wide range of activities and changing priorities
- Good organisation skills and ability to work responsively
- Have a flexible approach
- Ability to recognise risk and highlight concerns
Desirable
- Experience of administrating and supporting patients with oral medication in the community
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
Essential
- Good Communication Skills
- Ability to work well as a member of a team
- Ability to communication with a wide range of people including professionals and service users.
- Demonstration of compassion and kindness
- Energy, drive and resilience, ability to work within a changing environment.
Desirable
- Commitment to work unsocial hours
- Full driving licence and access to a car a hospice vehicle is available to use for most of the time
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ 2 in Health and Social Care or equivalent Care Certificate
EXPERIENCE & ATTAINMENTS
Essential
- 6 months experience as a health care assistant.
- Ability to use a range of IT systems including electronic patient records.
- Experience with Microsoft Outlook and emails.
- Word processing/Microsoft Word
Desirable
- Understanding of life limiting conditions for patients and families
- Experience of end-of-life care
- Understand information Governance/use of patient information
- Previous experience of community working
CLINICAL SKILLS
Essential
- Patient facing experience
- Have a keen eye for detail and the ability to manage a wide range of activities and changing priorities
- Good organisation skills and ability to work responsively
- Have a flexible approach
- Ability to recognise risk and highlight concerns
Desirable
- Experience of administrating and supporting patients with oral medication in the community
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
Essential
- Good Communication Skills
- Ability to work well as a member of a team
- Ability to communication with a wide range of people including professionals and service users.
- Demonstration of compassion and kindness
- Energy, drive and resilience, ability to work within a changing environment.
Desirable
- Commitment to work unsocial hours
- Full driving licence and access to a car a hospice vehicle is available to use for most of the time
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.
