Health Care Assistant -Hospice at Home

NHS; Bebington; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A community healthcare provider in Bebington is seeking a Health Care Assistant to support patients in the last stages of life at home. The successful candidate should have NVQ Level 2 in Care and excellent communication and organizational skills. This role involves providing compassionate support and maintaining high care standards. Flexible working hours are available, with part-time and full-time options.

Benefits

Continuation of NHS Superannuation Pension Scheme

Access to in-house development and external education

Qualifications

• Previous experience working in palliative care or life limiting conditions is essential.
• Ability to use a range of IT systems including electronic patient records.
• Good communication skills and ability to work well as a member of a team.

Responsibilities

• Maintain high standards of nursing care for patients at home.
• Support patients in the last 12 months of life according to care plans.
• Provide emotional and practical support to patients and families.

Skills

Communication

Team working

Flexibility

Organizational skills

Education

NVQ Level 2 in Care or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Electronic patient records

Job description

Aim to maintain a high standard of nursing care for patients wishing to remain at home for their end of life care.

To undertake a broad range of general caring activities and duties relating to the support of patients in the last 12 months of life, usually in their own homes following care plans set out by the nursing team.

Provide emotional and practical support to patients, carers and family members ·

Have an understanding of the philosophy and ethos behind the care provided at Wirral Hospice St Johns, and to assist the registered practitioners in developing and maintaining a safe, caring and supportive environment for patients, relatives and staff.

Ability to recognise changes in patients’ conditions and act appropriately –follow guidance’sreport to appropriate health practitioners.

In accordance with the Hospice at Homes processes/systems /guidelines and as defined by the Hospice at Home health practitioner, with minimum direct supervision.

Offer basic support /contact family members/ carers after a patient’s death, when appropriate in a professional manner.

Main duties of the job

Successful candidates must possess NVQ Level 2 in Care or equivalent and be able to demonstrate excellent communication, flexibility and team working skills, basic IT skills, experience of working in an inpatient / residential setting or with life limiting illness will be an advantage. It will suit someone who is confident in dealing with other professionals and has the ability to use computerised record systems. Flexibility, responsibility and professionalism and having positive relationships with colleagues are key, as are the abilities to uphold our values of being: Compassionate, Accountable, Respectful, Equitable and Sustainable – in regards to your patients, colleagues and across the organisation. The ability to chat about many subjects will be an advantage.

About us

Wirral Hospice St Johns has a 42-year history of supporting the residents of Wirral who have incurable life limiting illness. The organisation continues to grow and develop in response to the needs of our community. Currently support is delivered by multi professional teams working in our 16 bed Inpatient unit, Outpatient, Wellbeing and Hospice at Home services.

The hospice benefits from being an independent charity allowing flexibility and creativity in the design and delivery of services whilst being firmly integrated with key local NHS providers. Care and support is delivered with integrity and quality. NHS Superannuation is transferrable for existing members of the NHS Pension Scheme As an organisation we are committed to developing the skills and interests of our staff to ensure the workforce is motivated and equipped to deliver what is expected of them in a compassionate and competent manner through apprenticeships, formal training and workplace experience.

Job responsibilities

Job title: Health care Assistant

Hospice band: Band 2

Location: Hospice-based/Community

Contract: Permanent subject to probation

Hours: Part Time/ Full Time Available

Interviews- Friday 17thOctober 2025

Wirral Hospice St Johns has more than 40-years of supporting the residents of Wirral who have incurable, life limiting illness. The organisation continues to grow and develop in response to the needs of our community. Currently support is delivered by multi professional teams working in our 16 bed Inpatient unit, Outpatient, Wellbeing and Hospice at Home services.

The current opportunity is in our Hospice at Home- Visiting service. This is a well-established community service that provides support for people with a life limiting illness, who are being cared for at home towards the end of their life. The visits consist of 3 hour day visits (morning or afternoon) or night visits. We are looking for health care assistants who are compassionate, caring and want to deliver high quality care to patients that are nearing the end of life. This post is rotational so the candidate would be working day shifts and night shifts.

The hospice benefits from being an independent charity allowing flexibility and creativity in the design and delivery of services whilst being firmly integrated with key local NHS providers. Care and support is delivered with integrity and quality.

As a relatively small organisation we are committed to developing the skills and interests of our staff to ensure the workforce is motivated and equipped to deliver what is expected of them in a compassionate and competent manner through apprenticeships, formal training and workplace experience.

We are looking for health care assistants with excellent communication, organisational and team working skills and a desire to develop their practice and make a positive impact on those they support. Ability to work under pressure and the ability to organise and prioritise your work load.

Previous experience of working in palliative care or life limiting conditions are a requirement. Flexibility, responsibility and professionalism are key, as are the abilities to uphold our values of being: Compassionate, Accountable, Respectful, Equitable and Sustainable – in regards to your patients, colleagues and across the organisation.

Also, a sense of humour helps – hospices are full of laughter!

We have an onsite Clinical Educator and offer access to in-house development and support external education where this is identified in our staff development and appraisal process.

This is a role where two days are never the same and you have the chance to improve the experience of patients and families when life is most vulnerable.

In return, some of the benefits that we can offer to the successful candidates include, continuation of NHS Superannuation Pension Scheme, for existing members of the NHS Pension Scheme and a commitment to learning and development.

Posts are subject to an appropriate level of Disclosure & Barring Service Certificate

For an application pack:

• Please visit our website at www.wirralhospice.org/job-vacancies
• Or contact our Workforce Team on 0151 482 8990

Alternatively, for an informal chat before applying, please contact:

• Vikki Kershaw Deputy Community services manager or Joanne Guerrero, Community services Manager 0151 334 2778 | [e-mail] [e-mail]

Completed application forms to be returned by the closing date to:

• Wirral Hospice St John’s, Workforce Office, Mount Road, Higher Bebington, Wirral CH63 6JE
• Or emailed to: [e-mail]

Person Specification

Qualifications

• NVQ 2 in Health and Social Care or equivalent Care Certificate
• NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care or equivalent
• Care Certificate

Experience & attainments

• 6 months Support worker or health care assistant.
• Ability to use a range of IT systems including electronic patient records.
• 6 months Support worker or health care assistant.
• Ability to use a range of IT systems including electronic patient records.
• Previous support worker/HCA experience
• Understanding of life limiting conditions for patients and families
• Understand information Governance/use of patient information
• Previous experience of lone working
• Experience with Microsoft Outlook and emails.
• Word processing/Microsoft Word

Clinical Skills

• Have a keen eye for detail and the ability to manage a wide range of activities and changing priorities
• Good organisation skills and ability to work responsively
• Have a flexible approach
• Ability to recognise risk and highlight concerns

Interpersonal skills

• Good Communication Skills
• Ability to work well as a member of a team
• Ability to communication with a wide range of people including professionals and service users.
• Demonstration of compassion and kindness
• Energy, drive and resilience, ability to work within a changing environment.

Other

• Commitment to work unsocial hours
• Driving licence and access to a car

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.