Derwentside Hospice Care Foundation

Health Care Assistant

The closing date is 08 February 2026

Job summary

The Health Care Assistant will cover the Helen McArdle Wing Inpatient Unit and Sir Tom Cowie Day Centre Service within the Clinical Services department and will be deliver a range of care duties under the supervision of RGNs providing basic patient care for Willow Burn Hospice.

To care for people with a life limiting illness with palliative or end of life care needs.

Assist in the provision of efficient, supportive nursing service to patients

Provide an empathetic and compassionate approach to patients and their relatives. To be able to apply appropriate knowledge and understanding of patients individual needs in accordance with the patients specific care.

Support trained nurses in their role and work as a member of the nursing team.

Ensure the highest level of individual patient care is achieved at all times in the most cost effective manner

Be involved in a multidisciplinary approach to patient care together with other healthcare professionals and the clergy.

Ensure correct use and due economy is made to equipment and resources.

Develop and extend knowledge of specialist palliative care through accessing available training.

Main duties of the job

Maintain a high standard of patient care ensuring policies and procedures are adhered to.

Provide practical assistance, as required, with all aspects of personal hygiene e.g. bathing and dressing.

Give individualised patient care under the direction and supervision of the trained nursing staff.

Work as a member of the nursing team under the supervision of trained staff reporting changes in patients conditions and needs as they occur.

Develop skills in caring for terminally ill patients and their families.

Display and develop good interpersonal skills, including, e.g. the ability to be a good listener.

When dealing with patients and carers protect their dignity, choices, self-esteem and wellbeing at all times.

Participate in meetings related to families and staff by communicating information on patient care and related matters as required.

Maintain a safe, clean and secure environment for patients, their families, visitors and staff.

Maintain accurate records and assist in submitting verbal and written reports on matters concerning patient care.

To carry out any reasonable duties requested by the management.

About us

Willow Burn Hospice opened in 1989 as a result of two remarkable women, Irene Mortimer and Valerie Davison, who identified a gap in provision in the largely rural area of Derwentside. With the support of the Secretary of State and funding from Macmillan, Irene and Valerie set up Derwentside Hospice Care Foundation, a Day Hospice Service for North Durham. Over the years. the charity has become fondly known as Willow Burn Hospice and the rest as they say, is history.

The Willow Burn Day Hospice service expanded in 1991 to include in-patient services and in 2014 we opened the Sir Tom Cowie Health and Wellbeing Centre as a new home for our day services provision. That brings us to present day, and following very generous support from Helen McArdle CBE, we now have a modern, fit for purpose, 6 bed in patient unit which is very highly regarded within the hospice sector.

Willow Burn has been purpose-built to reflect the comfort of being at home. At a time when peace and tranquillity is needed the most, our team provides a safe and quiet environment. The focus is on the individual and their needs through the provision of high-quality care.

Details

Date posted

20 January 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£12.78 an hour

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Flexible working

Reference number

B0635-26-0000

Job locations

Willow Burn Hospice

Howden Bank

Lanchester

Durham

DH7 0QS


Job description

Job responsibilities

Job TitleHealth Care Assistant

Hours25hrs to be worked flexibly on a rota to include - 7.5hrs day 12.5 day & night shifts, weekends and BH to meet the needs of the service

Reports toHead of Clinical Services

Responsibilities

The Health Care Assistant will cover the Helen McArdle Wing Inpatient Unit and Sir Tom Cowie Day Centre Service within the Clinical Services department and will be deliver a range of care duties under the supervision of RGNs providing basic patient care for Willow Burn Hospice.

To care for people with a life limiting illness with palliative or end of life care needs.

Assist in the provision of efficient, supportive nursing service to patients

Provide an empathetic and compassionate approach to patients and their relatives. To be able to apply appropriate knowledge and understanding of patients individual needs in accordance with the patients specific care.

Support trained nurses in their role and work as a member of the nursing team.

Ensure the highest level of individual patient care is achieved at all times in the most cost effective manner

Be involved in a multidisciplinary approach to patient care together with other healthcare professionals and the clergy.

Ensure correct use and due economy is made to equipment and resources.

Develop and extend knowledge of specialist palliative care through accessing available training.

Specific tasks & duties

Maintain a high standard of patient care ensuring policies and procedures are adhered to.

Provide practical assistance, as required, with all aspects of personal hygiene e.g. bathing and dressing.

Give individualised patient care under the direction and supervision of the trained nursing staff.

Work as a member of the nursing team under the supervision of trained staff reporting changes in patients conditions and needs as they occur.

Develop skills in caring for terminally ill patients and their families.

Display and develop good interpersonal skills, including, e.g. the ability to be a good listener.

When dealing with patients and carers protect their dignity, choices, self-esteem and wellbeing at all times.

Participate in meetings related to families and staff by communicating information on patient care and related matters as required.

Maintain a safe, clean and secure environment for patients, their families, visitors and staff.

Maintain accurate records and assist in submitting verbal and written reports on matters concerning patient care.

To carry out any reasonable duties requested by the management.

Person specification

Communicate positively and effectively

Take personal autonomy and critically reflect in all actions undertaken.

Base all decision making and judgements on the grounds of moral reasoning in terms of what is the right thing to do.

Demonstrate a can do attitude.

Solutions driven approach to all tasks

Courage to challenge

Personally credible

Proactively thinking outside the box by been able to see the bigger picture

Experience and Qualifications

Essential will be required to submit evidence & or demonstrate at Interview

Qualification-NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care - Care certificate completed

Palliative & EOL care experience

Medicines Management calculations training & experience are essential for this role

Effective written and verbal communications including negotiation skills.

Ability to manage difficult situations and use initiative.

Ability to work independently without constant supervision in delivering role outcomes.

Ability to adapt to change and undertake self-development and training.

Compliance with mandatory training requirements

Variations

This is not an exhaustive list and duties may change

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job TitleHealth Care Assistant

Hours25hrs to be worked flexibly on a rota to include - 7.5hrs day 12.5 day & night shifts, weekends and BH to meet the needs of the service

Reports toHead of Clinical Services

Responsibilities

The Health Care Assistant will cover the Helen McArdle Wing Inpatient Unit and Sir Tom Cowie Day Centre Service within the Clinical Services department and will be deliver a range of care duties under the supervision of RGNs providing basic patient care for Willow Burn Hospice.

To care for people with a life limiting illness with palliative or end of life care needs.

Assist in the provision of efficient, supportive nursing service to patients

Provide an empathetic and compassionate approach to patients and their relatives. To be able to apply appropriate knowledge and understanding of patients individual needs in accordance with the patients specific care.

Support trained nurses in their role and work as a member of the nursing team.

Ensure the highest level of individual patient care is achieved at all times in the most cost effective manner

Be involved in a multidisciplinary approach to patient care together with other healthcare professionals and the clergy.

Ensure correct use and due economy is made to equipment and resources.

Develop and extend knowledge of specialist palliative care through accessing available training.

Specific tasks & duties

Maintain a high standard of patient care ensuring policies and procedures are adhered to.

Provide practical assistance, as required, with all aspects of personal hygiene e.g. bathing and dressing.

Give individualised patient care under the direction and supervision of the trained nursing staff.

Work as a member of the nursing team under the supervision of trained staff reporting changes in patients conditions and needs as they occur.

Develop skills in caring for terminally ill patients and their families.

Display and develop good interpersonal skills, including, e.g. the ability to be a good listener.

When dealing with patients and carers protect their dignity, choices, self-esteem and wellbeing at all times.

Participate in meetings related to families and staff by communicating information on patient care and related matters as required.

Maintain a safe, clean and secure environment for patients, their families, visitors and staff.

Maintain accurate records and assist in submitting verbal and written reports on matters concerning patient care.

To carry out any reasonable duties requested by the management.

Person specification

Communicate positively and effectively

Take personal autonomy and critically reflect in all actions undertaken.

Base all decision making and judgements on the grounds of moral reasoning in terms of what is the right thing to do.

Demonstrate a can do attitude.

Solutions driven approach to all tasks

Courage to challenge

Personally credible

Proactively thinking outside the box by been able to see the bigger picture

Experience and Qualifications

Essential will be required to submit evidence & or demonstrate at Interview

Qualification-NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care - Care certificate completed

Palliative & EOL care experience

Medicines Management calculations training & experience are essential for this role

Effective written and verbal communications including negotiation skills.

Ability to manage difficult situations and use initiative.

Ability to work independently without constant supervision in delivering role outcomes.

Ability to adapt to change and undertake self-development and training.

Compliance with mandatory training requirements

Variations

This is not an exhaustive list and duties may change

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Qualification-NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care Care certificate completed
  • Palliative & EOL care experience
  • Medicines Management calculations training & experience are essential for this role
  • Effective written and verbal communications including negotiation skills.
  • Ability to manage difficult situations and use initiative.
  • Ability to work independently without constant supervision in delivering role outcomes.
  • Ability to adapt to change and undertake self-development and training.
  • Compliance with mandatory training requirements
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Qualification-NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care Care certificate completed
  • Palliative & EOL care experience
  • Medicines Management calculations training & experience are essential for this role
  • Effective written and verbal communications including negotiation skills.
  • Ability to manage difficult situations and use initiative.
  • Ability to work independently without constant supervision in delivering role outcomes.
  • Ability to adapt to change and undertake self-development and training.
  • Compliance with mandatory training requirements

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

Derwentside Hospice Care Foundation

Address

Willow Burn Hospice

Howden Bank

Lanchester

Durham

DH7 0QS


Employer's website

https://willowburnhospice.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Derwentside Hospice Care Foundation

Address

Willow Burn Hospice

Howden Bank

Lanchester

Durham

DH7 0QS


Employer's website

https://willowburnhospice.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Head of Facilities and Administration

Julie Crisp

jcrisp@willowburnhospice.org.uk

01207529224

Details

Date posted

20 January 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£12.78 an hour

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Flexible working

Reference number

B0635-26-0000

Job locations

Willow Burn Hospice

Howden Bank

Lanchester

Durham

DH7 0QS


Supporting documents

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