St Giles Hospice

Healthcare Assistant Community Team

The closing date is 26 October 2025

Job summary

To provide quality, holistic care to palliative and end of life patients in their own home as well as supporting their family and carers. Our service offers support 7 days a week, 365 days a year to enable patients to remain in their own home if this is their preference. The role is integrated into St Giles community services provision.

Main duties of the job

This role requires the post holder to have a flexible approach to ensure the holistic needs of the patient and their carers` are met. The support that you would be required to provide includes personal care visits, clinical interventions and observations as well as emotional support for our patients and their carers `and respite sits.

The Community Health Care assistant is expected to undertake care to meet the needs of the patients under the supervision and delegation of an appropriate Registered Health Care Professional, working within the Hospices policies and procedures.

The post holder will usually work in the community but will be required to support delivery of care on our in-patient unit dependent on team pressures at our Whittington site or other hospice locations.

The post holder will hold a Level 3 Health and Social Care Qualification (NVQ, Apprenticeship, Diploma)

About us

St Giles Hospice is a registered charity founded in 1983 by the Reverend Paul Brothwell, originally to improve the care of local people dying with cancer.

We now support patients, and their loved ones, living with a terminal illness.Our dedicated team provides individually-tailored care, free of charge, either at the hospice or in patients own homes across our communities.

We spend close to £10 million a year providing our specialist services. With just 18% of this funded by the Government, we rely heavily on donations and income generation from the local community.

Details

Date posted

10 October 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£25,263.19 to £26,651.49 a year pro rata for part time hrs (+ enhancements where applicable)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

B0379-474

Job locations

Fisherwick Road

Whittington

Lichfield

Staffordshire

WS14 9LH


Job description

Job responsibilities

The role entails but is not limited to: -

Providing direct patient care in accordance with the District Nurse care plan and/or instructed by an appropriate healthcare professional. Liaising with other health care professionals involved in the patients care is therefore an integral part of this role

To work within the integrated St Giles Community team to facilitate early discharge from hospital or hospice

To work within the integrated team St Giles Community Team to prevent unnecessary admission to hospital

Assist patients to maintain all aspects of daily living activities in accordance with individual programmes of care, ensuring physical care is delivered with dignity and respect for the individual, always ensuring their safety

Ensure patient held records are completed for each visit on SystmOne, maintaining High standards of record keeping ensuring accurate, clear, and contemporaneous documentation is made as close to the event as possible

Ensuring clinical records are factually correct and reflect precisely what was done or observed

Communicate any change in the patients general appearance and condition as appropriate to a registered nurse to contribute to care plans for patients

Monitoring, recording, and reporting a patient's vital signs and other physical indicators to assess their overall health status

Clinical duties will also include: (competencies in bold are required at taking up the post, training can be provided in others)

Blood glucose testing, urinalysis, catheter care, collection of urine specimens, Simple Wound Care, Venepuncture

Demonstrate dexterity, co-ordination when undertaking treatment of patients where accuracy is important e.g. taking blood sugars and venepuncture (this list isnt exhaustive)

Providing support and guidance to family and carers to enable them to gain knowledge to care for the patient and to access relevant services, as they approach end-of life

Maintain excellent communication with patients, relatives and members of the MDT regarding all aspects of care demonstrating a variety of communications skills in accordance with the client group

Respecting the persons home as a working environment (classed as a no smoking area)

To prioritise patient visits based on location and urgency to ensure all patients receive expected visits in a timely manner

Maintaining IT competency to make full use of mobile phones, e-mail, the internet and on-line training

Accessing patient information via SystmOne to ensure up-to-date knowledge of the patients needs

Always protecting the patients dignity and right to confidentiality

Ensuring compliance with the Data Protection Act, Freedom of information Act and ensure patient confidentiality

The post holder will have the skills to undertake or assist with patients in emergency situations by providing basic life support.

Contribute to the reduction of healthcare acquired infection by ensuring a high standard of infection control practice in the light of research, current best evidence and legislation

In the absence of the Clinical Lead or deputy clinical lead, take responsibility for relevant administration and co-ordination of visits and deal with any issues or concerns that may occur and escalate as appropriate

Exercising responsibility by accessing and accepting opportunities for debrief sessions, peer support or clinical supervision

Supervise, where appropriate, less experienced Healthcare Assistants to maintain Core competencies

Ensuring regular communication and liaison with line manager as part of delivering an appropriate and high quality service including attendance at team meetings

Be aware of the health, safety and wellbeing of self, staff, patients and all others on hospice property and comply with the St Giles Hospice Health and Safety Policy

To attend all mandatory training and other education and training programmes to maintain competencies of relevant procedures and for self-development as required. Learn new skills associated with the role deemed necessary by the Clinical Lead

Utilise educational opportunities to facilitate learning in the clinical environment. Participate in education and training activities as required

Be aware of, and comply with all manner of St Giles Hospice policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines alongside observing a personal duty of care when using equipment or handling patients valuables

Undertake other duties as may be required, and which are consistent with the responsibilities of the post

Just so you know:

We may review applications before the application review date, however, if you apply after the application review date, your application may not be considered. We will accept applications until we have successfully filled the role, this may be earlier than the closing date.

If you have not heard within 14 days of the application close date, then please consider that your application has been unsuccessful at this time.

As part of your application your data will be managed in line with St Giles Hospice Privacy Policy and kept for 6 months. If you would like to see this in full, please visit https://www.stgileshospice.com/privacy-policy/

Job description

Job responsibilities

The role entails but is not limited to: -

Providing direct patient care in accordance with the District Nurse care plan and/or instructed by an appropriate healthcare professional. Liaising with other health care professionals involved in the patients care is therefore an integral part of this role

To work within the integrated St Giles Community team to facilitate early discharge from hospital or hospice

To work within the integrated team St Giles Community Team to prevent unnecessary admission to hospital

Assist patients to maintain all aspects of daily living activities in accordance with individual programmes of care, ensuring physical care is delivered with dignity and respect for the individual, always ensuring their safety

Ensure patient held records are completed for each visit on SystmOne, maintaining High standards of record keeping ensuring accurate, clear, and contemporaneous documentation is made as close to the event as possible

Ensuring clinical records are factually correct and reflect precisely what was done or observed

Communicate any change in the patients general appearance and condition as appropriate to a registered nurse to contribute to care plans for patients

Monitoring, recording, and reporting a patient's vital signs and other physical indicators to assess their overall health status

Clinical duties will also include: (competencies in bold are required at taking up the post, training can be provided in others)

Blood glucose testing, urinalysis, catheter care, collection of urine specimens, Simple Wound Care, Venepuncture

Demonstrate dexterity, co-ordination when undertaking treatment of patients where accuracy is important e.g. taking blood sugars and venepuncture (this list isnt exhaustive)

Providing support and guidance to family and carers to enable them to gain knowledge to care for the patient and to access relevant services, as they approach end-of life

Maintain excellent communication with patients, relatives and members of the MDT regarding all aspects of care demonstrating a variety of communications skills in accordance with the client group

Respecting the persons home as a working environment (classed as a no smoking area)

To prioritise patient visits based on location and urgency to ensure all patients receive expected visits in a timely manner

Maintaining IT competency to make full use of mobile phones, e-mail, the internet and on-line training

Accessing patient information via SystmOne to ensure up-to-date knowledge of the patients needs

Always protecting the patients dignity and right to confidentiality

Ensuring compliance with the Data Protection Act, Freedom of information Act and ensure patient confidentiality

The post holder will have the skills to undertake or assist with patients in emergency situations by providing basic life support.

Contribute to the reduction of healthcare acquired infection by ensuring a high standard of infection control practice in the light of research, current best evidence and legislation

In the absence of the Clinical Lead or deputy clinical lead, take responsibility for relevant administration and co-ordination of visits and deal with any issues or concerns that may occur and escalate as appropriate

Exercising responsibility by accessing and accepting opportunities for debrief sessions, peer support or clinical supervision

Supervise, where appropriate, less experienced Healthcare Assistants to maintain Core competencies

Ensuring regular communication and liaison with line manager as part of delivering an appropriate and high quality service including attendance at team meetings

Be aware of the health, safety and wellbeing of self, staff, patients and all others on hospice property and comply with the St Giles Hospice Health and Safety Policy

To attend all mandatory training and other education and training programmes to maintain competencies of relevant procedures and for self-development as required. Learn new skills associated with the role deemed necessary by the Clinical Lead

Utilise educational opportunities to facilitate learning in the clinical environment. Participate in education and training activities as required

Be aware of, and comply with all manner of St Giles Hospice policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines alongside observing a personal duty of care when using equipment or handling patients valuables

Undertake other duties as may be required, and which are consistent with the responsibilities of the post

Just so you know:

We may review applications before the application review date, however, if you apply after the application review date, your application may not be considered. We will accept applications until we have successfully filled the role, this may be earlier than the closing date.

If you have not heard within 14 days of the application close date, then please consider that your application has been unsuccessful at this time.

As part of your application your data will be managed in line with St Giles Hospice Privacy Policy and kept for 6 months. If you would like to see this in full, please visit https://www.stgileshospice.com/privacy-policy/

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • RQF (Regulated Qualifications Framework) Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care or
  • QCF Level 3 in health and social care or
  • NVQ Level 3 in health and social care)

Experience

Essential

  • Knowledge of health and safety issues
  • Competent in the Key Aspects of Clinical Observations for HCAs
  • Knowledge of health care terminology

Desirable

  • Previous experience in primary care
  • Palliative/hospice care experience
  • Previous experience in healthcare/domiciliary care

Other Requirements

Essential

  • Valid driving licence
  • Eligibility to work in the UK
  • Please note that St Giles Hospice does not hold a sponsorship licence and is therefore unable to accept sponsorship requests

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Confidence to work alone and as part of a team
  • Willingness to work unsocial hours across hospice departments
  • Flexible approach
  • Sensitive, caring and empathetic
  • Team player
  • Able to work under pressure
  • Collaborative
  • Ambassador for St Giles Hospice

Skills

Essential

  • Good communication/organisational skills
  • Ability to work on own initiative
  • Venepuncture (or work towards)
  • Vital signs assessment
  • Maintaining accurate and detailed patient records.
  • Ability to Know when and how to escalate concerns
  • Standard computer skills with ability to use common software applications
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • RQF (Regulated Qualifications Framework) Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care or
  • QCF Level 3 in health and social care or
  • NVQ Level 3 in health and social care)

Experience

Essential

  • Knowledge of health and safety issues
  • Competent in the Key Aspects of Clinical Observations for HCAs
  • Knowledge of health care terminology

Desirable

  • Previous experience in primary care
  • Palliative/hospice care experience
  • Previous experience in healthcare/domiciliary care

Other Requirements

Essential

  • Valid driving licence
  • Eligibility to work in the UK
  • Please note that St Giles Hospice does not hold a sponsorship licence and is therefore unable to accept sponsorship requests

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Confidence to work alone and as part of a team
  • Willingness to work unsocial hours across hospice departments
  • Flexible approach
  • Sensitive, caring and empathetic
  • Team player
  • Able to work under pressure
  • Collaborative
  • Ambassador for St Giles Hospice

Skills

Essential

  • Good communication/organisational skills
  • Ability to work on own initiative
  • Venepuncture (or work towards)
  • Vital signs assessment
  • Maintaining accurate and detailed patient records.
  • Ability to Know when and how to escalate concerns
  • Standard computer skills with ability to use common software applications

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

St Giles Hospice

Address

Fisherwick Road

Whittington

Lichfield

Staffordshire

WS14 9LH


Employer's website

https://www.stgileshospice.com/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

St Giles Hospice

Address

Fisherwick Road

Whittington

Lichfield

Staffordshire

WS14 9LH


Employer's website

https://www.stgileshospice.com/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Amy Bushell

01543432031

Details

Date posted

10 October 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£25,263.19 to £26,651.49 a year pro rata for part time hrs (+ enhancements where applicable)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

B0379-474

Job locations

Fisherwick Road

Whittington

Lichfield

Staffordshire

WS14 9LH


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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