Health Care Assistant

Are you a compassionate and dedicated Healthcare Assistant looking for a meaningful role in a supportive environment? Our Inpatient Unit (IPU) provides exceptional end of life care to patients and their loved ones, and we are looking for people who share our commitment to kindness, dignity, and respect. If you're seeking a rewarding career where you can truly make a difference, we'd love to hear from you. At our hospice, we are guided by our core values of Compassion, Teamwork, Respect, Inclusivity, and Integrity. Here, you will be part of a close-knit, multidisciplinary team providing exceptional care, with plenty of opportunities to grow and develop.

Main duties of the job

As a Healthcare Assistant in the Inpatient Unit, you will be an essential part of the multidisciplinary team, providing compassionate support to patients, families, and carers. Under the supervision of registered nurses, you will assist in delivering personalised care that upholds the dignity, comfort, and wellbeing of patients receiving palliative and end of life care. Your responsibilities will include supporting patients with personal hygiene, mobility, nutrition, and other daily care needs. You will contribute to the assessment and ongoing review of care plans, ensuring all actions align with the hospice's commitment to excellence in patient-centred care. By promoting a safe, caring, and inclusive environment, you will make a meaningful difference to patients and those important to them.

About us

Ashgate Hospice, based in North Derbyshire, offers free palliative and end of life care for adults with life-limiting or incurable illnesses, including cancer, neurological diseases, and advanced heart, kidney, and lung conditions. Last year, we cared for over 2,400 people. Our aim is to support our patients by keeping them informed, managing their symptoms, and improving their quality of life from diagnosis onwards. We also provide vital support to the people who are important to them, offering practical assistance and emotional support, including bereavement services. We're more than a care provider. We're a campaigner for sustainable end of life care funding in the UK, and we continually invest in our services and workforce.

Job responsibilities

As a Healthcare Assistant in our IPU, you will:

1. Provide personalised care, supporting patients with personal hygiene, mobility, and nutritional needs.
2. Work alongside registered nurses and the wider multidisciplinary team to deliver holistic, patient-centred care.
3. Offer emotional support to patients and their loved ones during challenging times.
4. Contribute to the assessment and review of individual care plans.
5. Maintain dignity and respect for every patient.

Person Specification

Experience

• GCSEs (or equivalent) in Maths and English.
• Care Certificate or willingness to complete within 12 months.
• Level 2 qualification in Health and Social Care (desirable).
• Health-related training, including First Aid, Moving & Handling, and Food Hygiene (desirable).

Experience

• Experience in providing personal care in a healthcare setting.
• Understanding of palliative and end of life care principles.
• Basic knowledge of infection prevention and control procedures.
• Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team.
• Aware of safeguarding responsibilities.
• Experience using electronic patient record systems, e.g., SystmOne (desirable).
• Experience in oncology, hospice, or palliative care (desirable).

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.