Health Care Assistant

NHS; Exeter; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A local health service provider in Exeter is seeking a compassionate Health Care Assistant to join their team in providing holistic care for patients with complex life-limiting illnesses. The ideal candidate will possess a Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care and have experience in specialist palliative care. You will work collaboratively with nursing staff to monitor patient conditions and assist in delivering high standards of care. This role requires flexibility to support 24/7 service delivery.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience of care giving in the Acute Trust or Community Services.
• Experience of working in specialist palliative care.
• Experience of working with volunteers.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the implementation of planned care for patients under supervision.
• Monitor patients' conditions on an ongoing basis and escalate as required.
• Participate in general housekeeping and ensure stock/supplies are managed.

Skills

Time management skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care or equivalent

Job description

Overview

If you’re looking for a role where you can make a difference every day, this could be the one for you. As a Health Care Assistant on our IPU, you will work alongside registered nursing staff in the multi-disciplinary team, helping to provide holistic and person-centred care and support for patients with complex life-limiting illnesses.

Job responsibilities

Job Description

Job Details

Job Title: Health Care Assistant

Band: 3

Location: Searle House, Exeter EX2 5JJ

Hours: As on contract, including rotation to nights

Team/Directorate: Inpatient Unit (IPU)

Responsible To: Ward Manager

Accountable to: Head of Inpatient Services and Clinical Quality

Responsible For: N/A

Notes: To work within a multi-disciplinary team and alongside registered nursing staff to deliver a high standard of evidence-based specialist palliative care. To provide holistic and person-centred care and support for patients with complex life-limiting illnesses.

To work both autonomously and as part of the team, managing delegated workloads and escalating issues as appropriate.

To develop communication and interpersonal skills to interact with patients in a sensitive and professional manner in line with Hospiscare values.

To complete HCA competencies to deliver simple clinical observations and contribute to patient care plans.

To assist with general housekeeping and monitoring of stock/supplies to ensure the ward runs smoothly and to a high standard.

To adhere to Hospiscare’s clinical record-keeping policy when providing and sharing verbal, digital or written information and instructions, ensuring patient confidentiality at all times.

Key responsibilities

• Assist with the implementation of planned care for patients and those close to them under the supervision of registered colleagues to ensure high standards of nursing care at all times.

• Monitor patients’ conditions on an ongoing basis, in partnership with patients, families and carers, and escalate to senior colleagues when required.

• Develop communication skills to interact with patients in a compassionate and professional manner to promote Hospiscare values.

• Undertake completion of HCA competencies and contribute to patient care plans.

• Assist in infection prevention and control and maintain a safe environment for patients, visitors and staff.

• Participate in general housekeeping and ensure stock/supplies are managed effectively.

• Ensure confidentiality and accurate recordkeeping in line with policy.

• Be flexible to support 24/7 service delivery as required.

About us

Hospiscare has been supporting people in Exeter, Mid and East Devon with terminal illnesses for over 40 years. Our services include support at home, a specialist palliative care ward, out-patients clinics, and supportive therapies.

We support close to 2,200 local people each year, in some of the hardest times possible. As a local charity, we raise around £10 million each year to continue to provide our care. Our staff, volunteers and supporters help us to care for people when they’re most in need, no matter what their individual circumstances may be.

We’re proud to be rated as "five star" by patients and families and as "outstanding" by the Care Quality Commission, to have been awarded a Mind Bronze Award for wellbeing at work and to be a Disability Confident employer.

Qualifications and experience

Experience

• Demonstrable experience of care giving in the Acute Trust or Community Services
• Experience of working in specialist palliative care
• Experience of working with volunteers

Qualifications

• Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care or equivalent/related

Knowledge

• Awareness of delivering care in a clinical environment
• Awareness of the complexities of working with individuals at times of distress and conflict

Skills

• Developed time management skills, including the ability to prioritise own delegated workload
• Developed communication and interpersonal skills

Personal attributes

• Ability to work autonomously and act on own initiative, seeking advice/escalating issues when appropriate
• Flexible and adaptable with the ability to respond positively in a rapidly changing environment
• Team player
• Aware of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in all areas of work

Additional requirements

• Able to contribute to the 24 hour, 7 day per week cover provided by Hospiscare’s clinical services
• Capable of fulfilling the physical demands of the role, including administering of basic life support
• Able and willing to work at different Hospiscare locations on occasion

Disclosure and Barring Service

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.