Health Care Assistant

Willen Hospice

The closing date is 16 May 2025

Job summary

Health Care Assistant

Are you looking for a deeply rewarding role where you can truly make a difference?

We are excited to offer an exceptional opportunity for a self-motivated Health Care Assistant to join our dedicated In-Patient Unit (IPU) team. If youre passionate about delivering the highest quality of care and are inspired by working in a supportive, values-driven environment, we would love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

What Youll Do:

  • Deliver personal, patient-centred care and report findings such as pressure areas and fluid balance to the Registered Nurse.
  • Undertake observations, blood glucose monitoring, simple dressings, and venepuncture (where trained) under the direction of senior staff.
  • Record all care and observations accurately using System One.
  • Offer compassionate emotional support to patients and their families, including sitting with dying patients in the absence of loved ones.
  • Support patient mobility using appropriate equipment, minimising risk and ensuring safe moving and handling practices.
  • Observe and report any changes in a patients condition across physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects.

What Youll Need:

  • Hold a Care Certificate
  • Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Understand the palliative needs of patients and families
  • Show empathy, compassion, and a commitment to high standards of care
  • Can work flexibly across night shifts, weekends, and rotational schedules
  • To be a team player who thrives in a values-led, supportive environment

About us

Set in the tranquil grounds of Willen Lake, Willen Hospice is the leading provider of specialist palliative care within the Milton Keynes area. We offer 24 hour / seven days a week palliative care to people who have advanced disease, caring for people in our Inpatient Unit which accommodates 15 patients and the local community. Our person centred care is delivered with compassion and respect for peoples wishes.We have an expanding Therapeutic & Wellbeing service offering Psychological Wellbeing, Social Care, Physiotherapy, Occupational and Complementary Therapy. Our dedicated Business Development teams and retail portfolio of shops raise vital funds to deliver this care.

Why Join Us?

  • A Role with Purpose: Be part of a team delivering outstanding palliative care.
  • Supportive & Caring: Environment Work with passionate colleagues.
  • Great Benefits Package: Including 35 days' holiday, contributory pension scheme, enhanced maternity/sick pay, and ongoing professional development.
  • Perks & Extras: Free on-site parking, subsidised catering, Blue Light Card discounts (with membership), and an Employee Assistance Programme.

This appointment is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Interview Date: W/C 26 May 2025

Date posted

01 May 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£23,809.80 a year plus a 16 % shift allowance

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

B0365-25-0015

Job locations

Milton Road

Willen Village

Milton Keynes

MK15 9AB


Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Provide patient centred personal care to patients, monitor any findings e.g. pressure areas, input and output and report to the Registered Nurse.

  • Undertake patient observations, blood glucose levels, simple dressing, and venepuncture (as trained) as delegated by a senior member of the team.

  • Ensure all care provided and observations are recorded on System One.

  • Provide support to patients and their grieving families in emotionally challenging situations; sit and talk to patients and stay with dying patients when family or friends are unavailable.

  • Support patients after death with last offices, ensuring patients and families wishes are supported. At all times maintaining the dignity and privacy of patients.

  • Communicate and collaborate effectively across the wider multi-disciplinary team, patients, carers families and friends. Demonstrating compassion and empathy.

  • Be proficient in monitoring and supporting patients mobility, using aids and equipment, reducing the risk of falls. Be proficient in the use of moving and handling equipment including specialist baths, beds and mattresses when the appropriate training has been given.

  • Provide support for patients nutrition and hydration. Feed patients as required, distribute meals being mindful of patients physical & dietary requirements and food handling regulations; monitor record and report patients intake in the absence of the Ward Hostess. Ensure the Catering Team are made aware of any changes.

  • Monitor the patients condition; report changes in the physical, mental emotional and spiritual condition to the registered nurses. Ensure infection control procedures are adhered to at all times.

  • Maintain a safe, tidy and organised working environment. Monitoring stock levels and reporting ordering requirements as soon as identified.

  • Participate in quality initiatives through active engagement as a champion and as audit as requested. Actively support service development. Report incidents or concerns in a timely matter using the Hospice incident reporting system.

  • Proactively support our Hostesses and Patient Care Support colleagues (staff and volunteers) offering assistance and guidance as required.

  • Take responsibility to ensure your mandatory training is up to date. Demonstrate clinical competency in line with the Hospice competency framework. Engage in supervision to reflect, enhance skills and emotional intelligence.

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Provide patient centred personal care to patients, monitor any findings e.g. pressure areas, input and output and report to the Registered Nurse.

  • Undertake patient observations, blood glucose levels, simple dressing, and venepuncture (as trained) as delegated by a senior member of the team.

  • Ensure all care provided and observations are recorded on System One.

  • Provide support to patients and their grieving families in emotionally challenging situations; sit and talk to patients and stay with dying patients when family or friends are unavailable.

  • Support patients after death with last offices, ensuring patients and families wishes are supported. At all times maintaining the dignity and privacy of patients.

  • Communicate and collaborate effectively across the wider multi-disciplinary team, patients, carers families and friends. Demonstrating compassion and empathy.

  • Be proficient in monitoring and supporting patients mobility, using aids and equipment, reducing the risk of falls. Be proficient in the use of moving and handling equipment including specialist baths, beds and mattresses when the appropriate training has been given.

  • Provide support for patients nutrition and hydration. Feed patients as required, distribute meals being mindful of patients physical & dietary requirements and food handling regulations; monitor record and report patients intake in the absence of the Ward Hostess. Ensure the Catering Team are made aware of any changes.

  • Monitor the patients condition; report changes in the physical, mental emotional and spiritual condition to the registered nurses. Ensure infection control procedures are adhered to at all times.

  • Maintain a safe, tidy and organised working environment. Monitoring stock levels and reporting ordering requirements as soon as identified.

  • Participate in quality initiatives through active engagement as a champion and as audit as requested. Actively support service development. Report incidents or concerns in a timely matter using the Hospice incident reporting system.

  • Proactively support our Hostesses and Patient Care Support colleagues (staff and volunteers) offering assistance and guidance as required.

  • Take responsibility to ensure your mandatory training is up to date. Demonstrate clinical competency in line with the Hospice competency framework. Engage in supervision to reflect, enhance skills and emotional intelligence.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Hold a Care Certificate

Experience

Essential

  • Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Understand the palliative needs of patients and families.
  • Show empathy, compassion, and a commitment to high standards of care.
  • Can work flexibly across night shifts, weekends, and rotational schedules.
  • To be a team player who thrives in a values-led, supportive environment.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Hold a Care Certificate

Experience

Essential

  • Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Understand the palliative needs of patients and families.
  • Show empathy, compassion, and a commitment to high standards of care.
  • Can work flexibly across night shifts, weekends, and rotational schedules.
  • To be a team player who thrives in a values-led, supportive environment.

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

Willen Hospice

Address

Milton Road

Willen Village

Milton Keynes

MK15 9AB


Employer's website

https://www.willen-hospice.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Willen Hospice

Address

Milton Road

Willen Village

Milton Keynes

MK15 9AB


Employer's website

https://www.willen-hospice.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

For questions about the job, contact:

HR Administrator

Debbie Hounslow

HRAdmin@willen-hospice.org.uk

01908663636

Date posted

01 May 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£23,809.80 a year plus a 16 % shift allowance

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

B0365-25-0015

Job locations

Milton Road

Willen Village

Milton Keynes

MK15 9AB


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Willen Hospice's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)