Community Hospice at Home Health Care Assistant

NHS; St Albans; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in St Albans is seeking a Community Hospice at Home Health Care Assistant to deliver compassionate end-of-life care. This role involves working closely with patients and their families, supporting them during a vulnerable time. Candidates must have a caring nature, a valid driving license, and willingness to learn, with full training provided. The position offers part-time hours with a supportive team environment.

Qualifications

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English.
• Ability to work effectively in an emotionally demanding environment.
• Experience within a care or community setting.
• Knowledge of care at end of life.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high standards of individualised care under team guidance.
• Support families and healthcare professionals in patient care.
• Report changes in patient conditions to relevant staff.
• Keep accurate records as per requirements.

Skills

Clear communication

Empathy

Teamwork

Flexibility

Record keeping

Education

Care certificate/NVQ Level 2 or equivalent

Job description

Overview

• Hours: 37.5 hours a week - part-time hours of 30 hours per week can be considered.
• Location: Based at Grove House, St Albans but required to travel throughout the Rennie Grove Peace Locality
• Interview date: 22 September 2025

This role is part of our Community Hospice at Home Service, which delivers compassionate, end-of-life care to people in their own homes during the final weeks of life. You don\'t need formal medical experience to apply just a caring nature, compassion, and a genuine desire to help and support others at the end of their lives. Full training and support will be provided.

• As a Community Hospice at Home Health Care Assistant, you will: Provide care and support to patients, families and carers at home.
• Be able to work alone with guidance and support from Hospice at Home nurses.
• Support the nursing team such as speaking with other healthcare providers and making appointments.
• Work closely with hospice colleagues and community partners to deliver joined-up care.
• Champion the Rennie Grove Peace philosophy in the local community.
• Develop your skills within HCA knowledge and competency framework, with full support provided.
• Drive between appointments, therefore a car and full driving licence are essential for this role.

Main duties of the job

Deliver consistently high standards of individualised care and support under guidance of theHospice at Home team.

Work alongside the patients families and/or health careprofessionals, maintaining an approach that incorporates physical,psychological, social and spiritual aspects of care in accordance with theRennie Grove Peace philosophy.

Observe and report changes in the patients symptoms, conditionsand circumstances to the Hospice at Home CNS and notify other healthcareprofessionals as necessary.

Deliver care in accordance with the patients agreed care plan.

Understand and comply with all Rennie Grove Peace policies andprocedures.

About us

At Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care, our unique care provides a lifeline of compassion and support to patients, carers, and families facing progressive life-limiting illness.We provide palliative and end of life care support, including bereavement services, within Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire and our patient services are available to adults, as well as patients transitioning into adult services (16 to 25 years.)

Bereavement support is offered for all ages to families of patients and those around them, as well as throughout the community, in schools and workplaces.We are proud to offer care in the place that best suits the individuals needs, whether that's at home, in a care home, in a short stay in our inpatient unit, out in the community, or in our purpose-built Living Well Centre facilities. As a hospice care charity, we have offered this support, free of charge, for over 40 years.

Our staff team of 340+ includes a wide range of patient-facing disciplines plus operational support based in Watford, Tring, St Albans, Chalfont St Giles and Berkhamsted. The Charity is now one of the larger UK hospice charities, reaching a GP population of 797,037 of whom 75% live in Hertfordshire and 25% in Buckinghamshire.

Job responsibilities

• Deliver consistently high standards of individualised care and support under guidance of the Hospice at Home team.
• Work alongside the patients families and/or health care professionals, maintaining an approach that incorporates physical, psychological, social and spiritual aspects of care in accordance with the Rennie Grove Peace philosophy.
• Observe and report changes in the patients symptoms, conditions and circumstances to the Hospice at Home CNS and notify other healthcare professionals as necessary.
• Deliver care in accordance with the patients agreed care plan.Identify and act on any safeguarding concerns for patients or their families, in line with Rennie Grove Peace policies.
• Keep accurate and legible records in accordance with legislative requirements and Rennie Grove Peace practice and procedure.
• Assist with the patients washing, bathing, showering, pressure area and oral care.
• Assist the Hospice at home team with phoning GPs, ringing hospitals for patient updates, collaborating with other healthcare providers for example DNs.
• Assist the team with Audits.Ensure supplies of equipment are maintained.
• Ensure all verbal and written communication is accurate and timely.

Person Specification

Experience

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English, verbal and written
• Ability to work effectively in an emotionally demanding environment
• Able to keep accurate records in accordance with RGP policy and procedure
• Drive and enthusiasm
• Ability to work autonomously and as an effective member of the team, using initiative
• Caring and empathetic approach
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Flexible and adaptable to a variety of tasks
• Ability to prioritise effectively and work, even under pressure
• Commitment to the Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care purpose
• Able to maintain confidentiality at all times
• Experience working effectively in a team environment
• Care certificate/NVQ Level 2 or equivalent
• Experience of working within the care setting
• Experience of working within a community setting
• Knowledge of and experience in care at the end of life and after death
• Relevant experience in assisting patients/people with their personal hygiene
• IT knowledge of Microsoft office.

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.