Job summary
At North Devon Hospice, we believe every moment matters. Our Bedded Unit provides comfort, compassion, and expert care to patients and their families and were inviting dedicated Senior Healthcare Assistants to join our exceptional team.
If you are looking for a role where you can truly make a difference every day, we would love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
As part of our highly skilled and supportive nursing team, youll help provide outstanding palliative and end-of-life care in a calm, compassionate, and homely environment.
Our Bedded Unit cares for patients who may need support for a variety of reasons from symptom management and rehabilitation following treatment, to comfort in the final days of life. Our specialist team works collaboratively to ensure care is tailored to what matters most to each individual.
About us
We're proud to offer a caring and supportive working environment for our team as much as for our patients. Our benefits include:
- Beautiful working environment with peaceful outdoor spaces
- Flexible and family-friendly policies, including Maternity, Adoption, Paternity, Shared Parental Leave, and Pawternity Leave
- Tech Scheme and Cycle to Work Scheme
- Free on-site parking
- Personal pension scheme (with continuation of your NHS pension if applicable)
- Generous holiday allowance (increasing with service)
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for confidential financial, legal, and wellbeing support
- Health Cash Plan (covering up to five children, with optional partner inclusion)
- Regular wellbeing events and staff engagement opportunities
At North Devon Hospice, we're committed to listening to our people, celebrating their contributions, and continually improving how we work together.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Assisting with a range of patient care duties under the indirect supervision of registered staff
- Assisting in the provision of high quality palliative care for patients and their relatives and carers
- Assisting with care which encompasses the physical, social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of
patients and their family members
- Assisting patients to maintain all aspects of daily living activities and, where appropriate, promote and
facilitate patients to develop independence in accordance with individual programmes of care as
delegated by registered nursing staff
- Maintaining patient skin integrity, updating pressure ulcer risk assessment tools that have been
completed initially by a Registered Nurse, as well as escalating any change in risk level or changes to
skin appearance that require assessment from a Registered Nurse.
- Assisting patients with eating and drinking, including supporting patients with enteral feeding regimes,
according to training and competency
- Updating eating and drinking assessments and sharing information appropriately with the Catering
team
- Assisting and assessing patients elimination needs including continence, catheter and stoma care,
considering alternative management plans in collaboration with the Registered Nurse where identified
- Helping with non-pharmacological approaches to maintain patient comfort and managing symptoms,
e.g. comfort rounds and re-positioning, mouth care, listening and reassuring
- Demonstrating a knowledge of, and carrying out care and clinical procedures and clinical observations
etc. that are consistent with Diploma in Health and Social Level 3 or equivalent
- Providing patients with complementary therapies where workload allows and in accordance with
training and competency, ensuring documentation is completed following any therapies provided
- Assisting with last offices when required
- Acting as second checker for controlled drugs administration following
training and competency being achieved
- Supporting the Registered Nurse in the admission process by completing individualised core care plans
and eating and drinking assessments according to training and competence
- Supporting the Registered Nurse in staff competency training / assessments in moving and handling,
blood glucose monitoring, pressure ulcer risk assessments and Display Screen Equipment
assessments
- Working closely with Registered Nurses in a link nurse role, assisting with training, audits and service
development for areas of special interest
- Taking an active role in training on the electronic healthcare record system for any Healthcare
Assistants who are new to the team
- Supporting bereaved people with advice and signposting to relevant services following the death of
their friend / relative
- Carrying out aspects of technical care following appropriate training with accurate record keeping, e.g.
clinical tasks such as:Taking and recording vital signs. i.e. temperature, pulse, and respiration rate, Urine testing and obtaining specimens, Blood glucose monitoring, Venepuncture, Wound care, Basic foot care including nail trimming and filing
- Maintaining appropriate sensitive, caring and tactful relationships with patients, families and carers
- Ensuring valid consent is gained before all aspects of care are delivered and understanding how the
Mental Capacity Act is implemented when patients are unable to give valid consent
- Supporting patients, and their family members, as they approach end-of life and at time of
bereavement
- Informing Registered Nurses of any significant changes in patients condition and family's needs
- Supervising, where appropriate, less experienced Healthcare Assistants who might be new to the team,
welcoming them and help them learn the role of the HCA and North Devon Hospice
- Ensuring that confidentiality of information is maintained at all times and in compliance with GDPR
Developing and sustaining a good working partnership with your colleagues, other health care
professionals and external agencies
- Providing all care within the boundaries of your own clinical competencies as delegated by a Registered
Nurse and working to the standards set out in the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers and
Adult Social care Workers in England (Skills for Health 2013)
- Maintaining accurate and timely paper and electronic records of patient care delivered in accordance
with guidance and training provided
- Working with and supporting voluntary staff in the provision of care as directed
- Following training, and in accordance with level of competency, updating patient moving and handling
assessments, escalating any concerns to the Registered Nurse / Occupational Therapist/ Physio
Working alongside the Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist to plan goals and activities where
appropriate rehabilitative treatment is identified.
- In the absence of the therapists, continuing plans of
care to promote success of set goals
Supporting the Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist with fact finding for home environment to
support early identification of equipment needs on discharge
- Assisting patients with engaging in activities that they find enjoyable and meaningful
- Assisting with manual handling activity, in the effective and safe use of aids, escalating any need for reassessment by the Registered Nurse, Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist
- Being aware of, and complying with all manner of North Devon Hospice
policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines alongside observing a personal duty of care when using
equipment or handling patients valuables for example
- Undertaking other duties as may be required, and which are consistent with the responsibilities of the
post, learning new skills associated with the role
- Engaging with and contributing to clinical supervision sessions, and providing evidence of attendance
- Utilising hospice resources efficiently keeping waste to a minimum
- Engaging in clerical and housekeeping duties as directed
- Ensuring that you follow good infection control practice at all times and that you are familiar with
infection control policies, procedures, and guidance relevant to your area of work
- Understanding your role in the safeguarding of adults and children by being able to identify risks, and
recognise signs of harm, abuse or neglect including how to report concerns and take immediate action
to protect a person at risk of harm or abuse
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Assisting with a range of patient care duties under the indirect supervision of registered staff
- Assisting in the provision of high quality palliative care for patients and their relatives and carers
- Assisting with care which encompasses the physical, social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of
patients and their family members
- Assisting patients to maintain all aspects of daily living activities and, where appropriate, promote and
facilitate patients to develop independence in accordance with individual programmes of care as
delegated by registered nursing staff
- Maintaining patient skin integrity, updating pressure ulcer risk assessment tools that have been
completed initially by a Registered Nurse, as well as escalating any change in risk level or changes to
skin appearance that require assessment from a Registered Nurse.
- Assisting patients with eating and drinking, including supporting patients with enteral feeding regimes,
according to training and competency
- Updating eating and drinking assessments and sharing information appropriately with the Catering
team
- Assisting and assessing patients elimination needs including continence, catheter and stoma care,
considering alternative management plans in collaboration with the Registered Nurse where identified
- Helping with non-pharmacological approaches to maintain patient comfort and managing symptoms,
e.g. comfort rounds and re-positioning, mouth care, listening and reassuring
- Demonstrating a knowledge of, and carrying out care and clinical procedures and clinical observations
etc. that are consistent with Diploma in Health and Social Level 3 or equivalent
- Providing patients with complementary therapies where workload allows and in accordance with
training and competency, ensuring documentation is completed following any therapies provided
- Assisting with last offices when required
- Acting as second checker for controlled drugs administration following
training and competency being achieved
- Supporting the Registered Nurse in the admission process by completing individualised core care plans
and eating and drinking assessments according to training and competence
- Supporting the Registered Nurse in staff competency training / assessments in moving and handling,
blood glucose monitoring, pressure ulcer risk assessments and Display Screen Equipment
assessments
- Working closely with Registered Nurses in a link nurse role, assisting with training, audits and service
development for areas of special interest
- Taking an active role in training on the electronic healthcare record system for any Healthcare
Assistants who are new to the team
- Supporting bereaved people with advice and signposting to relevant services following the death of
their friend / relative
- Carrying out aspects of technical care following appropriate training with accurate record keeping, e.g.
clinical tasks such as:Taking and recording vital signs. i.e. temperature, pulse, and respiration rate, Urine testing and obtaining specimens, Blood glucose monitoring, Venepuncture, Wound care, Basic foot care including nail trimming and filing
- Maintaining appropriate sensitive, caring and tactful relationships with patients, families and carers
- Ensuring valid consent is gained before all aspects of care are delivered and understanding how the
Mental Capacity Act is implemented when patients are unable to give valid consent
- Supporting patients, and their family members, as they approach end-of life and at time of
bereavement
- Informing Registered Nurses of any significant changes in patients condition and family's needs
- Supervising, where appropriate, less experienced Healthcare Assistants who might be new to the team,
welcoming them and help them learn the role of the HCA and North Devon Hospice
- Ensuring that confidentiality of information is maintained at all times and in compliance with GDPR
Developing and sustaining a good working partnership with your colleagues, other health care
professionals and external agencies
- Providing all care within the boundaries of your own clinical competencies as delegated by a Registered
Nurse and working to the standards set out in the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers and
Adult Social care Workers in England (Skills for Health 2013)
- Maintaining accurate and timely paper and electronic records of patient care delivered in accordance
with guidance and training provided
- Working with and supporting voluntary staff in the provision of care as directed
- Following training, and in accordance with level of competency, updating patient moving and handling
assessments, escalating any concerns to the Registered Nurse / Occupational Therapist/ Physio
Working alongside the Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist to plan goals and activities where
appropriate rehabilitative treatment is identified.
- In the absence of the therapists, continuing plans of
care to promote success of set goals
Supporting the Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist with fact finding for home environment to
support early identification of equipment needs on discharge
- Assisting patients with engaging in activities that they find enjoyable and meaningful
- Assisting with manual handling activity, in the effective and safe use of aids, escalating any need for reassessment by the Registered Nurse, Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist
- Being aware of, and complying with all manner of North Devon Hospice
policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines alongside observing a personal duty of care when using
equipment or handling patients valuables for example
- Undertaking other duties as may be required, and which are consistent with the responsibilities of the
post, learning new skills associated with the role
- Engaging with and contributing to clinical supervision sessions, and providing evidence of attendance
- Utilising hospice resources efficiently keeping waste to a minimum
- Engaging in clerical and housekeeping duties as directed
- Ensuring that you follow good infection control practice at all times and that you are familiar with
infection control policies, procedures, and guidance relevant to your area of work
- Understanding your role in the safeguarding of adults and children by being able to identify risks, and
recognise signs of harm, abuse or neglect including how to report concerns and take immediate action
to protect a person at risk of harm or abuse
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a health or social care setting
- Experience and knowledge of working with patients at end of life
- Experience of working directly with patients, families and carers
- Experience of delivering personal care and assisting with activities of daily living
Qualifications
Essential
- A good standard of education including Maths and English GCSE at Level 4 or above (or equivalent)
- Level 3 NVQ in Care, Lead Adult Care Worker Apprenticeship or equivalent.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a health or social care setting
- Experience and knowledge of working with patients at end of life
- Experience of working directly with patients, families and carers
- Experience of delivering personal care and assisting with activities of daily living
Qualifications
Essential
- A good standard of education including Maths and English GCSE at Level 4 or above (or equivalent)
- Level 3 NVQ in Care, Lead Adult Care Worker Apprenticeship or equivalent.
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.
