dedicated Healthcare Assistants

St Peter & St James Hospice; Lewes; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

St Peter & St James Hospice in Lewes is seeking a Healthcare Assistant to provide high-quality personal care under the guidance of Registered Nurses, supporting patient-centred, compassionate palliative care in a rural setting.

You will monitor patients, assist with meals and mobility, keep accurate records, and work with the multidisciplinary team to maintain a safe, respectful environment. A willingness to learn and develop your skills, with access to training, is essential.

Qualifications

• Experience in patient care or healthcare support roles.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and adapt to changing needs.
• Commitment to patient dignity, privacy and confidentiality.
• Good English written and spoken communication.
• Willingness to develop skills through learning.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality personal care to patients under supervision.
• Support delivery of patient-centred palliative care.
• Monitor and report changes in patients' conditions.
• Assist patients with meals, hydration and mobility.
• Maintain accurate patient records and contribute to care evaluations.
• Provide emotional support to patients and families.
• Maintain a safe, clean ward environment.
• Work with the multidisciplinary team.
• Use IT systems to document care; maintain literacy and numeracy.
• Respect confidentiality and data protection.
• Work independently when appropriate and adapt to changing situations.
• Commit to ongoing learning and skill development.
• Access to transport due to rural location.
• Desirable: Level 2 Apprenticeship, NVQ progression; Care Certificate.
• Desirable: Understanding of Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers in England.

Skills

Patient care

Communication

Literacy & numeracy

Teamwork

Empathy

Confidentiality

Education

Level 2 health-related diploma

Care Certificate progress.

NVQ Level 2/3

Tools

IT systems (EHR)

Care equipment

Job description

• Provide high-quality personal care to patients under the guidance of Registered Nurses
• Support the delivery of individualised, patient-centred palliative care
• Monitor and report changes in patients' conditions to the nursing team
• Assist patients with meals, nutrition, hydration and mobility needs
• Undertake extended Healthcare Assistant duties, when assessed as competent, under appropriate supervision
• Maintain accurate patient records and contribute to care evaluations
• Provide emotional support to patients and those important to them during challenging times
• Help maintain a safe, clean and supportive ward environment
• Work collaboratively as part of the wider multidisciplinary team
• Confidence using IT systems, alongside good literacy and numeracy skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a good command of spoken and written English
• Understanding of patient confidentiality and data protection requirements
• Ability to work independently, use initiative and respond effectively to changing situations
• Motivation to develop your knowledge and skills and undertake ongoing learning
• Ability to provide compassionate care while managing sensitive and emotional situations appropriately
• Commitment to treating all patients with dignity, respect and cultural sensitivity
• Access to your own transport due to our rural location

Desirable:

• Evidence of a Level 2 Apprenticeship or Diploma in a health-related subject
• Willingness to work towards a Care Certificate, NVQ Level 2 or 3, or further study in palliative care
• Understanding of the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers and Adult Social Care Workers in England
• An appreciation of palliative care principles and philosophy