Job summary
This role matters: As part of the Hospice's commitment to strengthening care in the South Lakes, we have an exciting opportunity for Health care assistants to join our Hospice at Home team. If you are compassionate, reliable and looking for a role where every day you can make a genuine difference to patients and those closest to them, we would love to hear from you.
This is a special role, where you will support and implement the delivery of nursing care to patients and their loved ones in their own home, working under the guidance of our registered nursing professionals.
Key role info:
- Shift pattern: 9am - 5pm, working 5 out of 7 days. The rota will include some weekend and bank holiday working.
- Visits will be predominately in the South Lakes area, however visits may be anywhere in our wider catchment area if required by the needs of the service.
- It is essential you hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle during working hours. You will be entitled to claim out of pocket expenses (mileage and parking) in accordance with our policy.
- You will be required to attend the main Hospice for training, meetings and other events as and when required.
You will be supported through induction, training and ongoing supervision, and will work as part of a professional, compassionate and supportive team committed to putting patients and families at the heart of everything we do.
Main duties of the job
As a Senior Healthcare Assistant, working to the standards set out in the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers, you will support and implement the delivery of nursing care to patients within a community setting as part of a team and under the direction of a registered professional.
Flexible working will be required to meet the needs of the patient groups and will include working evenings, weekends and bank holidays as part of the nursing rota, as well as rotating to other appropriate patient care areas within the organisation as required.
We are looking for individuals who understand the importance of dignity, kindness and respect, and who can work confidently as part of a community team. You do not need to be a registered professional, but you should have experience of providing care and support, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to making every contact with patients and families count.
While the main hospice in Lancaster will remain the base for in-patient care, many people choose to be looked after in their own homes, and our experienced and dedicated Hospice at Home team are there to support them. Our new Windermere base is an important step in our commitment to further strengthening our specialist palliative services within the South Lakes, allowing us to reduce travel time and work alongside our community colleagues to ensure that on the journey towards the end of life, we provide the right care, in the right place at the right time.
About us
St John's Hospice is a well-respected local charity providing free specialist palliative care.
Our services include an inpatient ward for end-of-life care as well as pain and symptom management, a Hospice at Home service for people who choose to spend their last time at home and need our support, Clinical Nurse Specialists who support people with planning and pain & Symptom management, and a Respite Service for carers of loved ones who need respite time during the day or night. St John's also offers pre and post bereavement support plus other services you may not associate with a Hospice such as Social Workers and Therapists.
The St Johns Hospice at Home team is a dedicated group of Nurses and Health Care Assistants, who are skilled and experienced in caring for people in the last few weeks of life.
Our Hospice at Home service is led by an dedicated and supportive Management Team. Our patients are at the heart of everything we do, and you would play a key role in a person's wish to stay, and be cared for within their own home, providing crucial care for them and their loved ones.
The Hospice at Home team work closely with District Nursing teams and GPs, making sure palliative patients have the extra attention and specialist care they need. Our service works alongside them, not instead of them.
St John's Hospice is rated as CQC Good.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Accountable To: Director of Nursing & Quality
Reports To: Head of Hospice at Home
MAIN DUTIES
- Undertakes a broad range of nursing support activities and duties relating to the care of
patients with end of life care needs, usually in their own homes.
- Has an understanding of the philosophy and ethos behind the care provided at St Johns
Hospice, and to assist the registered nurses in developing and maintaining a safe, caring and
supportive environment for patients, relatives and staff.
- Provides care for named patients with end of life care needs usually in their own homes in
accordance with the patients care plan as defined by the Community Services senior nurse,
with minimum direct supervision.
- Establishes and maintains effective communications with patients, carers and health
professionals in a professional manner.
- Works in collaboration with your colleagues to ensure the delivery of high quality, safe and
compassionate healthcare, care and support.
- Promotes and uphold the privacy, dignity, rights, health and wellbeing of people who use
health and care services and their carers at all times.
- Communicates in an open and effective way to promote the health, safety and wellbeing of
people who use health and care services and their carers.
- Respects a persons right to confidentiality.
- Acts in a responsible, professional manner at all times whilst employed by and undertaking
duties at St Johns Hospice. To be aware of the policies governing health, safety and fire
prevention and reporting accidents/incidents.
CLINICAL
- Is alert to, and recognises changes in patients symptoms and conditions and notifies other
health care professionals as necessary.
- Assists patients with administration of regular oral medication where the patient is self
medicating.
- In line with Hospice policy monitors the administration of medication via syringe drivers and
undertakes first line troubleshooting in line with proven competence.
- In line with Hospice policies on patient documentation, updates patient records ensuring
entries are accurate, relevant and contemporaneous and hand over care given appropriately.
- Is accountable by making sure you can answer for your actions or omissions.
- Provides emotional and practical support to patients carers or family members.
- Demonstrates safe and appropriate use of hoists and manual handling equipment.
- Cares for the patient after death and supports family members/ carers after death, when
appropriate.
- Undertakes delegated clinical tasks and procedures linked to the Community Services Health
Care Assistant Competences.
PEOPLE AND DEPARTMENTAL CONTRIBUTION
- Upholds and promotes equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Promotes at all times the Hospice philosophy and upholds St Johns core values.
- Participates in agreed methods of off-duty planning and annual holiday booking
arrangements.
- Participates in audits, surveys or other clinical governance activities as requested.
- Uses resources economically and efficiently.
EDUCATION & DEVELOPMENT
- Strives to improve the quality of healthcare, care and support through continuing professional
development.
- Completes all annual/bi-annual & tri-annual Mandatory Training.
- Participates in annual appraisal scheme.
- Learns required skills and to widen experience as appropriate.
- Attends additional education sessions as provided, and as appropriate.
- Provides support to new Healthcare Assistants and volunteers.
- Maintains IT competency in order to make full use of electronic communications and to
access appropriate hospice data sources and training opportunities.
- Contributes to the health, safety and well-being of patients, carers and self by being aware of
and adhering to hospice policies and guidelines on Health and Safety at Work; Fire
Precautions and Regulations; Security of Lone Worker; and Infection Control.
- Undertakes training and demonstrates competence in a range of nursing activities and tasks
in support of patient care.
- Maintains a portfolio of professional development and participate in the St Johns Hospice
performance appraisal scheme, identifying personal achievements, objectives and
development needs.
OTHER
- To be an ambassador for St Johns Hospice as a charity engaging in public
speaking and fundraising initiatives as required.
- Work outside of the South Lakes locality as required by the needs of the service.
- Attend training, meetings and other events at the main Hospice as and when required.
- To be aware of the requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018 and follow
codes of practice to ensure safeguarding of confidential information
- To undertake other duties appropriate to the role as agreed with the Director of Nursing and
Quality
General
In addition to the specific duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description, all employees
should be aware of their specific responsibilities towards the following:
- St Johns Hospice operates a no-smoking policy. The post holder should either be a non-smoker or be prepared not to smoke in any Charity premises, grounds or vehicles or when
on Hospice business outside the office.
- Uphold ethical and professional standards and not behave in a manner that is likely to bring
the Hospice into disrepute.
- Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing registration requirements or any national,
professional or occupational standards associated with the role.
- Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing learning and development and to participate in any
training relevant to the role.
This job description is not exhaustive. It merely acts as a guide and may be amended to meet the
changing requirements of the charity at any time after discussion with the post holder.
STANDARD/ENHANCED DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT
Enhanced DBS disclosure + Adult Barring Check required for this post.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO ST. JOHNS HOSPICE
Please refer to the uploaded Job description for full details of the points below
1. Confidentiality
2. Health and Safety
3. External Interests
4. Statutory Training
5. Flexibility
6. Safeguarding
7. Disclosure and Barring
8. Equality and Inclusion
9. Volunteers
Job description
Job responsibilities
Accountable To: Director of Nursing & Quality
Reports To: Head of Hospice at Home
MAIN DUTIES
- Undertakes a broad range of nursing support activities and duties relating to the care of
patients with end of life care needs, usually in their own homes.
- Has an understanding of the philosophy and ethos behind the care provided at St Johns
Hospice, and to assist the registered nurses in developing and maintaining a safe, caring and
supportive environment for patients, relatives and staff.
- Provides care for named patients with end of life care needs usually in their own homes in
accordance with the patients care plan as defined by the Community Services senior nurse,
with minimum direct supervision.
- Establishes and maintains effective communications with patients, carers and health
professionals in a professional manner.
- Works in collaboration with your colleagues to ensure the delivery of high quality, safe and
compassionate healthcare, care and support.
- Promotes and uphold the privacy, dignity, rights, health and wellbeing of people who use
health and care services and their carers at all times.
- Communicates in an open and effective way to promote the health, safety and wellbeing of
people who use health and care services and their carers.
- Respects a persons right to confidentiality.
- Acts in a responsible, professional manner at all times whilst employed by and undertaking
duties at St Johns Hospice. To be aware of the policies governing health, safety and fire
prevention and reporting accidents/incidents.
CLINICAL
- Is alert to, and recognises changes in patients symptoms and conditions and notifies other
health care professionals as necessary.
- Assists patients with administration of regular oral medication where the patient is self
medicating.
- In line with Hospice policy monitors the administration of medication via syringe drivers and
undertakes first line troubleshooting in line with proven competence.
- In line with Hospice policies on patient documentation, updates patient records ensuring
entries are accurate, relevant and contemporaneous and hand over care given appropriately.
- Is accountable by making sure you can answer for your actions or omissions.
- Provides emotional and practical support to patients carers or family members.
- Demonstrates safe and appropriate use of hoists and manual handling equipment.
- Cares for the patient after death and supports family members/ carers after death, when
appropriate.
- Undertakes delegated clinical tasks and procedures linked to the Community Services Health
Care Assistant Competences.
PEOPLE AND DEPARTMENTAL CONTRIBUTION
- Upholds and promotes equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Promotes at all times the Hospice philosophy and upholds St Johns core values.
- Participates in agreed methods of off-duty planning and annual holiday booking
arrangements.
- Participates in audits, surveys or other clinical governance activities as requested.
- Uses resources economically and efficiently.
EDUCATION & DEVELOPMENT
- Strives to improve the quality of healthcare, care and support through continuing professional
development.
- Completes all annual/bi-annual & tri-annual Mandatory Training.
- Participates in annual appraisal scheme.
- Learns required skills and to widen experience as appropriate.
- Attends additional education sessions as provided, and as appropriate.
- Provides support to new Healthcare Assistants and volunteers.
- Maintains IT competency in order to make full use of electronic communications and to
access appropriate hospice data sources and training opportunities.
- Contributes to the health, safety and well-being of patients, carers and self by being aware of
and adhering to hospice policies and guidelines on Health and Safety at Work; Fire
Precautions and Regulations; Security of Lone Worker; and Infection Control.
- Undertakes training and demonstrates competence in a range of nursing activities and tasks
in support of patient care.
- Maintains a portfolio of professional development and participate in the St Johns Hospice
performance appraisal scheme, identifying personal achievements, objectives and
development needs.
OTHER
- To be an ambassador for St Johns Hospice as a charity engaging in public
speaking and fundraising initiatives as required.
- Work outside of the South Lakes locality as required by the needs of the service.
- Attend training, meetings and other events at the main Hospice as and when required.
- To be aware of the requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018 and follow
codes of practice to ensure safeguarding of confidential information
- To undertake other duties appropriate to the role as agreed with the Director of Nursing and
Quality
General
In addition to the specific duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description, all employees
should be aware of their specific responsibilities towards the following:
- St Johns Hospice operates a no-smoking policy. The post holder should either be a non-smoker or be prepared not to smoke in any Charity premises, grounds or vehicles or when
on Hospice business outside the office.
- Uphold ethical and professional standards and not behave in a manner that is likely to bring
the Hospice into disrepute.
- Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing registration requirements or any national,
professional or occupational standards associated with the role.
- Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing learning and development and to participate in any
training relevant to the role.
This job description is not exhaustive. It merely acts as a guide and may be amended to meet the
changing requirements of the charity at any time after discussion with the post holder.
STANDARD/ENHANCED DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT
Enhanced DBS disclosure + Adult Barring Check required for this post.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO ST. JOHNS HOSPICE
Please refer to the uploaded Job description for full details of the points below
1. Confidentiality
2. Health and Safety
3. External Interests
4. Statutory Training
5. Flexibility
6. Safeguarding
7. Disclosure and Barring
8. Equality and Inclusion
9. Volunteers
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Recent experience of patient care at end of life.
- Experience of working in the community setting.
Desirable
- Experience of working in a specialist palliative care setting.
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Knowledge of holistic patient care for those at end of life.
- Empathy and understanding.
- Ability to plan own workload.
- Ability to respond to changes in patient conditions.
- Ability to work within a team.
- Good Communication & interpersonal skills.
- Knowledge of prioritising a patients care needs.
- Ability to work without direct supervision in a patients home.
- Uses own initiative.
- Good IT skills and able to use a range of software (e.g.
- Word, Outlook, Excel etc).
- Accurately document care given in patient documentation.
- Communicates well with information about care to carers and families.
- Experience of working as part of a team.
Desirable
- Confident in electronic patient records.
Values and personal attributes
Essential
- Willingness to work flexibly, including unsocial hours.
- Motivated.
- Committed to self-development.
- Positive, mature and responsible attitude.
Miscellaneous
Essential
- Holds a current and valid UK manual driving licence & have access to a vehicle during working hours. Business insurance required.
Desirable
- Lives in South Lakes or willing to be based in South Lakes for work.
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ 2.
- Willingness to work towards Care Certificate and the Hospice competency framework for HCAs.
Desirable
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Recent experience of patient care at end of life.
- Experience of working in the community setting.
Desirable
- Experience of working in a specialist palliative care setting.
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Knowledge of holistic patient care for those at end of life.
- Empathy and understanding.
- Ability to plan own workload.
- Ability to respond to changes in patient conditions.
- Ability to work within a team.
- Good Communication & interpersonal skills.
- Knowledge of prioritising a patients care needs.
- Ability to work without direct supervision in a patients home.
- Uses own initiative.
- Good IT skills and able to use a range of software (e.g.
- Word, Outlook, Excel etc).
- Accurately document care given in patient documentation.
- Communicates well with information about care to carers and families.
- Experience of working as part of a team.
Desirable
- Confident in electronic patient records.
Values and personal attributes
Essential
- Willingness to work flexibly, including unsocial hours.
- Motivated.
- Committed to self-development.
- Positive, mature and responsible attitude.
Miscellaneous
Essential
- Holds a current and valid UK manual driving licence & have access to a vehicle during working hours. Business insurance required.
Desirable
- Lives in South Lakes or willing to be based in South Lakes for work.
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ 2.
- Willingness to work towards Care Certificate and the Hospice competency framework for HCAs.
Desirable
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.
