Hospice Healthcare Assistant

Have you got what it takes?

• Do you have a real interest in specialist palliative and supportive care for patients in their own living environment?
• Are you a team player but also able to work independently using your own initiative?
• Do you have previous experience working as a healthcare assistant within a healthcare setting?
• Do you have experience in health social care or equivalent?
• Are you excited to be part of a team committed to change and development?
• Most importantly, you must be wholeheartedly committed to and motivated by the purpose and values of St Ann’s Hospice.

Main duties of the job

The healthcare assistant will:

• Play a key role in the provision of specialist palliative and supportive care.
• Involve patients and their families first and always go the extra mile to provide first-class care.
• Play an integral part of the multidisciplinary team and have strong working relationships with other healthcare providers.

This is an exciting time to join an ambitious, much-loved charity and help us achieve our goals. If you are looking for a new challenge and the opportunity to make a difference, we would love to hear from you.

There is one thing that motivates us, and that is providing excellent care and support to those living with or affected by life-limiting illnesses.

We are continuously developing our plans for delivering world-class, innovative care to ensure we are in the best shape possible for future generations.

We are pleased to be able to offer this post as a full-time permanent position.

Working pattern: 40 hours per week pro rata. Weekend work required. The service operates seven days a week between 9 am and 8 pm. You will get two days off which can be converted to overtime with a double pay rate.

Applicants must be eligible to work in RSA. Only applicants with a South African ID will be considered. We are not able to offer citizenship sponsorship at this time.

The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, the cost of which is covered by the hospice. Any post holder within the organisation will be expected to undertake safeguarding training appropriate to their role and adhere to safeguarding policies and procedures. All staff must work in accordance with their statutory roles and responsibilities in relation to safeguarding in accordance with the healthcare and safety regulations.

Job responsibilities

The healthcare assistant will:

• Assist in assessment, planning, implementing and evaluating care in partnership with the patient, family and carers.
• Ensure accurate record-keeping in accordance with organisation standards.
• Communicate changes and ongoing care needs of the patient to the coordinator and district nurses as appropriate.
• Have knowledge of local services appropriate for the patient and family/carer.
• Ensure care is consistent with the five principles of the Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice.
• Be able to access and support the complex holistic needs of patients, families and their carers.
• Provide physical, psychological, and spiritual support and advice to patients and their carers.

Person specification

Experience – Essential

The healthcare assistant will:

• Demonstrate previous hospital experience or experience of working in a similar care setting.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the Hospice @ Home service.
• Demonstrate knowledge of other community services.
• Demonstrate an interest in specialist palliative care.
• Use their own initiative.
• Communicate effectively.
• Work as a team player.
• Maintain strict confidentiality.
• Display a kind, empathetic and person-centred approach.
• Demonstrate knowledge of clinical governance and personal responsibilities.

Qualifications – Essential

The healthcare assistant will:

• Have or be willing to work towards a qualification in palliative care or equivalent.
• Be willing to undertake a compassion in care course.
• Ideally have undertaken training in communication.

Please attach the following documents:

• Picture of ID document (not scans)
• Curriculum vitae (residential address and contact details must be up to date)

Posted on 16 Sep 08:56, Closing date 13 Nov