Job summary
St Wilfrid's Hospice is delighted to offer the opportunity to join us as a Ward Clerk within the In Patient Unit Team.
We're a friendly, inspiring and supportive team, committed to our vision to provide high quality end of life and palliative care.
Main duties of the job
This role is ideal for a skilled Administrator or Receptionist who brings strong organisational abilities and a caring approach to their work. In this position, youll support patients and their loved ones during emotional moments, handling sensitive and confidential information with professionalism and empathy.
As a valued member of our team, youll benefit from a friendly, supportive, and people-focused working environment. Your ability to communicate effectively and empathetically will help us continue to provide the highest standards of care.
This position is for 13 hours per week, working over two consecutive days from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, including a 30-minute lunch break. The specific days will vary on a rota basis. The role also includes working one weekend in every three, scheduled on a rota basis. There will be occasions when the frequency of weekend working increases to cover annual leave.
Relevant experience of a health care setting is essential, and experience of working in a Hospice or palliative care is desirable but not essential.
Please note, this vacancy may close early should sufficient applications be received.
About us
We are an independent local charity based in Bosham, Chichester offering a wide range of services to support our patients, and their loved ones, who are living with a life limiting or terminal illness. The work we do makes a real difference to the lives of local people and we support over 330 patients between our In Patient Unit and Community teams.
All Hospice employees are offered:
Annual Leave - Our generous holiday entitlement starts at 27 days per year plus bank holidays and increases with service
Healthcare -Access to a contributory health plan for you and family members, covering a range of benefits including eyecare and physiotherapy
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - Access to free and confidential Virtual GP Advice, Counselling and Legal Support
Continuation of existing NHS Pension Scheme Membership- And recognition of reckonable service for certain benefits
Generous Pension- With 7.5% employer contribution for staff not in the NHS Pension Scheme
Life Assurance Scheme - Should the worst happen while you're working with us, your loved ones will receive a lump sum payment equal to two times your salary (or the NHS Life Assurance Scheme if applicable)
Free on site parking -At our beautiful, purpose built Hospice in Bosham
Subsidised food - Our catering staff provide a range of high quality meals at low prices for all staff members when on site at the Hospice
Staff discount - In all our community charity shops and eligibility for the Blue Light Card discount scheme
Job description
Job responsibilities
JOB PURPOSE
- Administrative
and clerical support to the ward Multi-disciplinary team on shift across the
7-day week
- Clear
and effective communication with multi-disciplinary team and volunteers on the
shift (internal and external to the Hospice)
- Update
patient data on computer
- Provide excellent customer care
including meeting and greeting patients and their loved ones
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES &
RESPONSIBILITIES
Operational
- To
provide a physical presence at the Inpatient Unit reception desk, meeting and
greeting patients and their loved ones, including assisting with any patient
queries and supporting any visitors or patients who may be distressed.
- To
work within the hospice and service protocols and procedures to deliver a
quality administration service for the Inpatient Unit.
- To
take telephone calls from patients, their loved ones, health professionals
and support services, sharing the relevant sensitive, confidential and
complex information and accurately documenting necessary points.
- To
maintain accurate information of the clinical database, particularly with
admissions, discharges and deaths
- Receives
admissions, assists with organisation of discharges/appointments
communicating with other departments as required.
- Participates
in the induction of staff.
- Uses
the ward NHS email account for out of hour prescriptions, continuing
health care information, liaison with outside agencies.
- Liaises
with internal and external organisations, colleagues and professionals as
required
- Takes
the initiative when reporting adverse comments, complaints, untoward
incidents and faulty equipment to Senior Ward Staff / Clinical Lead
Inpatient Services.
- Participates
in the collection of data for ward audits as required
- Demonstrates
awareness of the need to implement cost effective measures when using
resources
Communication
- Maintain positive and effective
communication and relationships with patients, their loved ones and all other
professionals to enhance a dignified and high standard of care provision
- Understanding of the need for effective
communication in discussing end of life care with individuals reaching the end
of life and those close to them
- Give information in a sensitive and planned way to
allow time and privacy. Language should be clear and understand- able, avoiding
jargon. Written information may be given to family to take away.
- Communicate complex and sensitive
patient information to colleagues within the primary healthcare team and to
other multi-disciplinary team members.
- At all times have an awareness of
potential barriers in communication, understanding how to overcome these
barriers, to maintain effective communication and equity of service provision.
Education
and Training
- Support the induction of new staff.
- Support clinical teams in the use of
SystmOne
Personal
Development
- Take responsibility for own learning
and development and participate willingly in training and development
activities and proactively identify any training needs and discuss with
manager.
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
The main internal and external contacts the post holder will work with
includes:
Patients and
their loved ones To be able to communicate effectively and
sensitively when imparting information that could be highly stressful and
emotional. Ensuring effective
and honest communication considering the level of understanding, culture and
background
Line Manager and Colleagues - Communicates clearly and
regularly discussing, reporting and sharing key information about patients and
their loved ones. Working collaboratively across the Hospice in the best interests of the patient.
Hospice
Multidisciplinary Team and Volunteers Work collaboratively across all disciplines and departments to provide
timely information to patients and their loved ones ensuring care is effective
and coordinated.
Senior Management
Team and the Registered manager Work in collaboration to ensure patient quality and safety is a high
priority.
Frequent contact
with external agencies such as Echo Hub, Sussex Community Foundation Trust and Primary Care,
Southern Community Trust, Continuing Health Care, Sussex University Hospitals,
University of Chichester, Funeral Directors, Nursing agencies and Nursing
Homes- Establish and maintain good working relationship
with colleagues, so as to provide a comprehensive service to patients and loved
ones to enable good liaison and share best practice.
Students across
all disciplines providing a learning environment by supporting and providing Systm 1 induction.
Trustees and
donors ensuring
a positive message is communicated about clinical services.
Job description
Job responsibilities
JOB PURPOSE
- Administrative
and clerical support to the ward Multi-disciplinary team on shift across the
7-day week
- Clear
and effective communication with multi-disciplinary team and volunteers on the
shift (internal and external to the Hospice)
- Update
patient data on computer
- Provide excellent customer care
including meeting and greeting patients and their loved ones
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES &
RESPONSIBILITIES
Operational
- To
provide a physical presence at the Inpatient Unit reception desk, meeting and
greeting patients and their loved ones, including assisting with any patient
queries and supporting any visitors or patients who may be distressed.
- To
work within the hospice and service protocols and procedures to deliver a
quality administration service for the Inpatient Unit.
- To
take telephone calls from patients, their loved ones, health professionals
and support services, sharing the relevant sensitive, confidential and
complex information and accurately documenting necessary points.
- To
maintain accurate information of the clinical database, particularly with
admissions, discharges and deaths
- Receives
admissions, assists with organisation of discharges/appointments
communicating with other departments as required.
- Participates
in the induction of staff.
- Uses
the ward NHS email account for out of hour prescriptions, continuing
health care information, liaison with outside agencies.
- Liaises
with internal and external organisations, colleagues and professionals as
required
- Takes
the initiative when reporting adverse comments, complaints, untoward
incidents and faulty equipment to Senior Ward Staff / Clinical Lead
Inpatient Services.
- Participates
in the collection of data for ward audits as required
- Demonstrates
awareness of the need to implement cost effective measures when using
resources
Communication
- Maintain positive and effective
communication and relationships with patients, their loved ones and all other
professionals to enhance a dignified and high standard of care provision
- Understanding of the need for effective
communication in discussing end of life care with individuals reaching the end
of life and those close to them
- Give information in a sensitive and planned way to
allow time and privacy. Language should be clear and understand- able, avoiding
jargon. Written information may be given to family to take away.
- Communicate complex and sensitive
patient information to colleagues within the primary healthcare team and to
other multi-disciplinary team members.
- At all times have an awareness of
potential barriers in communication, understanding how to overcome these
barriers, to maintain effective communication and equity of service provision.
Education
and Training
- Support the induction of new staff.
- Support clinical teams in the use of
SystmOne
Personal
Development
- Take responsibility for own learning
and development and participate willingly in training and development
activities and proactively identify any training needs and discuss with
manager.
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
The main internal and external contacts the post holder will work with
includes:
Patients and
their loved ones To be able to communicate effectively and
sensitively when imparting information that could be highly stressful and
emotional. Ensuring effective
and honest communication considering the level of understanding, culture and
background
Line Manager and Colleagues - Communicates clearly and
regularly discussing, reporting and sharing key information about patients and
their loved ones. Working collaboratively across the Hospice in the best interests of the patient.
Hospice
Multidisciplinary Team and Volunteers Work collaboratively across all disciplines and departments to provide
timely information to patients and their loved ones ensuring care is effective
and coordinated.
Senior Management
Team and the Registered manager Work in collaboration to ensure patient quality and safety is a high
priority.
Frequent contact
with external agencies such as Echo Hub, Sussex Community Foundation Trust and Primary Care,
Southern Community Trust, Continuing Health Care, Sussex University Hospitals,
University of Chichester, Funeral Directors, Nursing agencies and Nursing
Homes- Establish and maintain good working relationship
with colleagues, so as to provide a comprehensive service to patients and loved
ones to enable good liaison and share best practice.
Students across
all disciplines providing a learning environment by supporting and providing Systm 1 induction.
Trustees and
donors ensuring
a positive message is communicated about clinical services.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Level 3 NQF or BTEC qualifications or able to demonstrate vocational training equivalent to level 3 and or equivalent practical experience.
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of working in a health care setting as part of a Multi-disciplinary team
Desirable
- Experience of working with Electronic Patient records
Skills and abilities
Essential
- Confident in use of Microsoft Office
- Excellent communication skills, organisational and customer service skills
- Advanced verbal communication skills including where there may be barriers to communication i.e patients who are hard of hearing, upset, angry or distressed
- Ability to work independently and as a supportive team member
- Ability to problem solve
- Personal resilience and an ability to cope with distressing situations on the ward, specifically in relation to palliative care patients and their loved ones
Desirable
- An understanding of Palliative care and Hospice care
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Level 3 NQF or BTEC qualifications or able to demonstrate vocational training equivalent to level 3 and or equivalent practical experience.
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of working in a health care setting as part of a Multi-disciplinary team
Desirable
- Experience of working with Electronic Patient records
Skills and abilities
Essential
- Confident in use of Microsoft Office
- Excellent communication skills, organisational and customer service skills
- Advanced verbal communication skills including where there may be barriers to communication i.e patients who are hard of hearing, upset, angry or distressed
- Ability to work independently and as a supportive team member
- Ability to problem solve
- Personal resilience and an ability to cope with distressing situations on the ward, specifically in relation to palliative care patients and their loved ones
Desirable
- An understanding of Palliative care and Hospice care
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.
