Job summary
This role matters.
A unique opportunity has arisen to join our Hospice at Home team as a Senior Healthcare Assistant providing Palliative Respite Care - could this be you? This is a special role, where you would provide respite care for patients and their carers within their own home, giving families the chance to rest, recharge and provide support, knowing their loved one is being looked after.
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. You would be joining a professional and supportive team, who are committed to putting patients and their families at the heart of everything they do.
The majority of the people who St Johns cares for are looked after in their own home, in the community. Many people choose to spend their last weeks or days at home, and our community team are there to support them.
*This care is provided in patients homes from Grasmere to Garstang and from Sedbergh to Morecambe including remote areas. It is essential you hold a full UK manual driving license and have access to a vehicle during working hours.
This role is for 28 hours per week (worked over a 7 day rota) and the pay is based on these hours.
If you are looking to take on a role where every day you can see the difference you have made to peoples lives, come and join us.
Main duties of the job
JOB PURPOSE
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 patients group 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.
About us
St John's Hospice is a well established and respected local charity, and we offer free palliative care to patients with life shortening conditions both in our Inpatient Ward Unit and through our Community Services (Hospice at Home).
The Community team is made up of Clinical Nurse Specialists, who are experts in pain and symptom management and advance care planning; the Hospice at Home team who support patients and their families in the last few weeks of life and the Respite team who provide day respite and night sits for the family who are caring for their loved ones at home in those last few weeks.
Our Hospice at Home service is led by an experienced 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 in their own home, providing crucial care for them and their loved ones.
St John's Hospice is rated as CQC Good.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Accountable To: Director of Nursing & Quality
Reports To: Head of Community Services
MAIN DUTIES
- To undertake 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.
- You will have 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.
- Work in collaboration with your colleagues to ensure the delivery of high quality, safe and
compassionate healthcare, care and support.
- Promote and uphold the privacy, dignity, rights, health and wellbeing of people who use
health and care services and their carers at all times.
- Communicate in an open and effective way to promote the health, safety and wellbeing of
people who use health and care services and their carers.
- Respect a persons right to confidentiality.
- Act 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.
- Be 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- Uphold and promote equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Promote at all times the Hospice philosophy and uphold St Johns core values.
- To participate in agreed methods of off-duty planning and annual holiday booking
arrangements.
- Participate in audits, surveys or other clinical governance activities as requested.
- Use resources economically and efficiently.
EDUCATION & DEVELOPMENT- Strive to improve the quality of healthcare, care and support through continuing professional
development.
- Complete all annual/bi-annual & tri-annual Mandatory Training.
- Participate in annual appraisal scheme.
- To learn required skills and to widen experience as appropriate.
- Attend additional education sessions as provided, and as appropriate.
- Provide support to new Healthcare Assistants and volunteers.
- Maintain IT competency in order to make full use of electronic communications and to
access appropriate hospice data sources and training opportunities.
- Contribute 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.
- Undertake 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.
GeneralIn 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 Community Services
MAIN DUTIES
- To undertake 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.
- You will have 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.
- Work in collaboration with your colleagues to ensure the delivery of high quality, safe and
compassionate healthcare, care and support.
- Promote and uphold the privacy, dignity, rights, health and wellbeing of people who use
health and care services and their carers at all times.
- Communicate in an open and effective way to promote the health, safety and wellbeing of
people who use health and care services and their carers.
- Respect a persons right to confidentiality.
- Act 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.
- Be 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- Uphold and promote equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Promote at all times the Hospice philosophy and uphold St Johns core values.
- To participate in agreed methods of off-duty planning and annual holiday booking
arrangements.
- Participate in audits, surveys or other clinical governance activities as requested.
- Use resources economically and efficiently.
EDUCATION & DEVELOPMENT- Strive to improve the quality of healthcare, care and support through continuing professional
development.
- Complete all annual/bi-annual & tri-annual Mandatory Training.
- Participate in annual appraisal scheme.
- To learn required skills and to widen experience as appropriate.
- Attend additional education sessions as provided, and as appropriate.
- Provide support to new Healthcare Assistants and volunteers.
- Maintain IT competency in order to make full use of electronic communications and to
access appropriate hospice data sources and training opportunities.
- Contribute 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.
- Undertake 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.
GeneralIn 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.
- Positive attitude.
- Motivated.
- Committed to self-development.
- Mature and responsible attitude.
- Empathy and understanding.
Miscellaneous
Essential
- Full UK driving licence (manual transmission).
- Access to own vehicle during working hours (business use insurance required).
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ 2.
- Willingness to work towards Care Certificate and the Hospice competency framework for HCAs.
Desirable
- NVQ 3.
- Completed the Care Certificate.
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.
- Positive attitude.
- Motivated.
- Committed to self-development.
- Mature and responsible attitude.
- Empathy and understanding.
Miscellaneous
Essential
- Full UK driving licence (manual transmission).
- Access to own vehicle during working hours (business use insurance required).
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ 2.
- Willingness to work towards Care Certificate and the Hospice competency framework for HCAs.
Desirable
- NVQ 3.
- Completed the Care Certificate.
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.
