Health Care Assistant

NHS; York; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity for a Health Care Assistant at a leading hospice to provide exceptional palliative care in the York area. This full-time role involves working closely with patients and families, ensuring dignified and empathetic support. The position includes extensive training, development opportunities, and a supportive team environment, ideal for individuals eager to make a real difference at the end of life.

Benefits

Salary above NHS pay scales

Up to 41 days annual leave

Opportunity to continue NHS pension

CPD opportunities

Free car parking

Qualifications

• Willingness to undertake training for Care Certificate.
• Experience in palliative care and community settings preferred.
• Must have a valid driving license and be a vehicle owner.

Responsibilities

• Deliver holistic care to patients and families.
• Maintain accurate care records with confidentiality.
• Work with multi-disciplinary teams in community settings.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Empathy

Education

NVQ Qualification in Care

Care Certificate or willingness to undertake training

Tools

Microsoft applications

Job description

Could you make a real difference to patients and their families at the end of life?

Do you want to join the St Leonard's Hospice Team providing excellent care to patients from York and the surrounding area at the end of life?

We have an exciting opportunity for a skilled and compassionate individual to join the Hospice as a Health Care Assistant to make a difference both personally and professionally to patients who require palliative and end of life care. This is a great opportunity to consider a career move into palliative care, as a supported induction and tailored development plan will enable you to gain the specialist skills required. No previous care experience is required.

Main duties of the job

This position is based in our Hospice@Home team and as a Health Care Assistant, you will work as part of the multi-disciplinary team under the guidance of a registered nurse and be involved in the following:

• Delivering high standards of holistic care to patients and their families
• Providing excellent communication skills to the patients and their families and members of the multi-disciplinary team
• Maintaining accurate records of care
• Working with a dedicated team of professionals, ensuring the needs of the patients and families are met with compassion and excellence

This is a full-time position working 37.5 hours per week which will include evenings, weekends and bank holidays. As this role is based in the community, it is essential for you to have a driving licence.

What we can offer you:

• salary above NHS pay scales
• up to 41 days annual leave
• opportunity to continue NHS pension and length of service based annual leave entitlement
• opportunity to be a supernumerary as part of the induction
• work at a Hospice that has research and campaigning at the forefront of its mission
• free car parking
• great CPD opportunities

What we need from you:

• excellent interpersonal skills
• ability to respond appropriately to emotionally challenging situations
• willingness and flexibility to work unsocial hours including nights, weekends and bank holidays

About us

Our mission is to provide excellent care and support to those living with life-limiting illness and to the people they care about, to enrich their lives and to contribute to the ongoing development of end-of-life care. We do this by placing our patients at the centre of everything we do, and through involving patients and their families in all decisions regarding their care.

We can only achieve this with the help of our amazing colleagues, by developing and recognising their contribution, and by sharing our knowledge and skills through education, audit and research.

We do not have sponsorship status and therefore all our offers are made conditional upon our candidates submitting evidence of their right to work in the UK in conjunction with our other pre-employment checks.

Job responsibilities

Towork as a member of the multi-disciplinary team in providing a high standard ofcare for patients and their families under the care of the Hospice.

Mainduties and responsibilities

Professional

• Develop excellent communications with the patientand their family, passing on all relevant information to a qualified nurse.
• Inform a qualified nurse of any change in thepatients condition.
• Respect the privacy and dignity of the patient atall times and keep strict confidentiality.
• Carry out personal cares for the patient under thedirection of a qualified nurse.
• Maintain accurate records of care under thesupervision of qualified staff.
• When required to act as a patients escort onexternal visits.
• Undertake light domestic and catering duties.
• Participate in full rotation across all shiftsincluding nights, weekends and bank holidays.

Managerial

• Follow Hospice procedures when giving or receivingtelephone messages.
• Follow Hospice procedures in the care and custody ofpatients valuables and property.
• Follow the Hospice procedures on the reporting ofall accidents, incidents, hazards or complaints.
• Exercise care and economy in the use of property andequipment.
• Maintain a caring and mutually supportive workingenvironment for all members of staff and volunteers, being sensitive to theemotional needs of colleagues and giving appropriate support to them.

Education

• Assist with the orientation of new staff members andothers on placement within the Hospice.
• Is prepared to work towards achieving the CareCertificate.

Person Specification

Experience

• Experience of palliative care
• Experience of working as a carer
• Experience of working in a community setting

Communication

• Good written and verbal communication
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to be sensitive and empathetic
• Able to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team

Other requirements

• Be prepared to assist with Hospice fundraising activities
• Valid driving licence
• Enhanced DBS check
• Ability to work unsocial hours including nights and weekends
• Vehicle owner
• Knowledge of York and surrounding area

IT

• Good basic IT skills
• Knowledge of Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Personal

• Work confidentially and with discretion
• Awareness and ability to cope with pressure
• Ability to work in a challenging environment
• Flexible to the changing needs of the post
• Be accurate and methodical
• Honest, trustworthy, reliable and punctual
• Approachable, team player
• Committed to providing a quality and measurable service
• Ability to accept support from other team members
• Respect for others ethnic or/and religious/spiritual beliefs
• Committed to own continuing professional development
• A commitment to Hospice care and to have a philosophy and concept of Hospice care

Qualifications

• Care Certificate or willingness to undertake training
• NVQ Qualification in Care

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.