Health Care Assistant

St Leonard'S Hospice; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free on-site car parking

NHS pension continuation

Shift enhancements

Up to 41 days annual leave

Staff discounts

Supportive induction

Job summary

St Leonard's Hospice is seeking Health Care Assistants to join the Hospice@Home team, delivering compassionate end-of-life care in patients' homes. No prior care experience is required, with full-time 37.5-hour weeks and rotating shifts across early, late, and long days, including weekends and bank holidays.

The role offers a salary of £25,909–£27,653 per year with shift enhancements, a supportive induction, and opportunities for development within a friendly team.

Qualifications

• Care Certificate required or willingness to undertake training.
• NVQ in Care is desirable.
• Ability to work with patients and families in end-of-life care.

Responsibilities

• Provide high standards of holistic care to patients at home.
• Communicate clearly with patients, families, and the clinical team.
• Keep accurate care records.
• Support patients and families with compassion and excellence.

Skills

Compassionate care

Excellent communication

Team player

Flexibility to unsocial hours

Confidentiality

Education

Care Certificate

NVQ in Care

Job description

Job summary

Are you a caring and compassionate person looking to make a real difference to patients at the end of life when they need it most? Do you want to work for a highly-respected local charity that supports the York community?

St Leonard's Hospice is recruiting skilled and empathetic individuals to join the Hospice@Home team as Health Care Assistants 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 you don't need to have any previous care experience. There is time at the Hospice to provide the best standards of care and to build relationships with patients and their families which makes us different to other care settings.

We are recruiting full-time positions which work 37.5 hours per week either 3 days over 7 working long shifts or 5 days over 7 working short shifts. The clinical teams operate on a rotational shift pattern which includes earlys, lates and long days over weekends and bank holidays. Shifts are allocated well in advance so our team can have a great work/life balance. The salary band for this role is £25,909 - £27,653 per annum plus shift enhancements.

Main duties of the job

• Delivering high standards of holistic care within the community which is tailored to individual patients
• Providing excellent communication to patients and their families and members
• 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

Our ideal candidates will

• Be committed to delivering exceptional care
• Have excellent interpersonal skills
• Have the ability to respond appropriately to emotionally challenging situations
• Be willing and flexible to working unsocial hours including weekends and bank holidays

What we can offer you

• Salary above NHS payscales
• Shift enhancements for working unsociable hours
• Up to 41 days of annual leave
• Continuation of NHS pension and annual leave entitlement (T&Cs apply)
• Attractive pension scheme for non-NHS staff
• Extensive employee discounts and Blue Light Card discounts
• A supportive induction and tailored development plan
• Free on-site car parking
• Transport provided for those working in Hospice@Home
• A supportive and friendly working environment

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.

Job responsibilities

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

Main duties and responsibilities

Professional

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

Managerial

• Follow Hospice procedures when giving or receiving telephone messages.
• Follow Hospice procedures in the care and custody of patients valuables and property.
• Follow the Hospice procedures on the reporting of all accidents, incidents, hazards or complaints.
• Exercise care and economy in the use of property and equipment.
• Maintain a caring and mutually supportive working environment for all members of staff and volunteers, being sensitive to the emotional needs of colleagues and giving appropriate support to them.

Education

• Assist with the orientation of new staff members and others on placement within the Hospice.
• Is prepared to work towards achieving the Care Certificate.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Care Certificate or willingness to undertake training

Desirable

• NVQ Qualification in Care

Personal

Essential

• Work confidentially and with discretion
• Enthusiasm 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