Health Care Assistant (HCA) Maternity Cover

Nightingale House Hospice; Wales; On-site; GBP 14,000 - 19,000; Full time

Job summary

Nightingale House Hospice is seeking a Health Care Assistant to provide direct, compassionate nursing support on the Inpatient Unit. You will work independently and with registered nurses, delivering evidence-based care to patients and families, and undertaking essential clinical tasks with supervision as needed.

The role requires QCF Level 2/NVQ2, knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and a willingness to progress to Level 3.

Qualifications

• QCF level 2 or NVQ Level 2 in health or social care or equivalent.
• Good knowledge of anatomy and physiology.
• Willingness to work toward QCF Level 3.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct, evidence-based nursing care to patients and families, working alone or with registered nurses as needs demand
• Assess patients' condition and needs and report findings to registered nursing staff
• Observe, record and report on patients' condition in their records, meeting legal and professional requirements
• Work within hospice policies and procedures to keep patients and staff safe
• Take clinical observations and identify results outside normal limits
• Contribute to holistic, multi-disciplinary care and report concerns to team members
• Help families and support volunteers, reporting difficulties to registered nursing staff
• Carry out designated nursing tasks agreed with the Ward Manager or nurse in charge
• Mentor new staff members and act as mentor to CQF trainees
• Keep the unit clean, check equipment is in good working order and report accidents to the Senior Nurse
• Plan own workload in collaboration with registered nurses
• Take part in surveys and audits within the clinical area

Skills

Clear communication

Vital signs

Adaptability

Independent working

Education

QCF Level 2 / NVQ Level 2

Anatomy & physiology knowledge

Willingness to progress to Level 3

Job description

This is a 12-month fixed-term maternity cover post as a health care support worker on the Inpatient Unit at Nightingale House Hospice. The work is direct, person-centred care for patients with life-limiting conditions and their families, under registered nurses and alongside a multi-disciplinary team. Shifts include nights and weekends, and the post involves working without direct supervision in a clinical setting. Fit depends on prior HCA experience working unsupervised and an understanding of life-limiting conditions.

What the job involves

• Provide direct, evidence-based nursing care to patients and families, working alone or with registered nurses as needs demand
• Assess patients' condition and needs and report findings to registered nursing staff
• Observe, record and report on patients' condition in their records, meeting legal and professional requirements
• Work within hospice policies and procedures to keep patients and staff safe
• Take clinical observations and identify results outside normal limits
• Contribute to holistic, multi-disciplinary care and report concerns to team members
• Help families and support volunteers, reporting difficulties to registered nursing staff
• Carry out designated nursing tasks agreed with the Ward Manager or nurse in charge
• Mentor new staff members and act as mentor to CQF trainees
• Keep the unit clean, check equipment is in good working order and report accidents to the Senior Nurse
• Plan own workload in collaboration with registered nurses
• Take part in surveys and audits within the clinical area

What’s required

Qualifications

• QCF level 2 or equivalent experience or qualifications, or NVQ Level 2 in health or social care or equivalent
• Good knowledge of anatomy and physiology
• Willingness to work toward QCF Level 3

Experience

• Experience working as an HCA without direct supervision in a clinical setting, managed by a qualified practitioner
• Good understanding of risk assessment and management
• Understanding of the needs of people with life-limiting conditions

Skills & knowledge

• Communicating clearly and accurately
• Recording vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse and respirations
• Adapting to new and challenging circumstances
• Working well alone under supervision and knowing when to seek clinical advice from registered staff
• IT skills and knowledge
• Working well as a team member

Other

• Good decision-making
• Working independently within professional boundaries
• Approaching any situation in a calm, professional manner

Nice to have

• ECDL
• Welsh speaker
• Ability to affect change in a positive manner