Healthcare Assistant

Bury Hospice; Bury; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused healthcare provider in Bury seeks a Health Care Assistant for their Inpatient Unit. This role involves delivering personalized care, ensuring dignity and respect for patients, and collaborating with a supportive team. Candidates should have NVQ 2 and experience in healthcare settings, ideally within hospice or palliative care. Join us in making a meaningful difference in the lives of those facing life-limiting illnesses.

Qualifications

• Healthcare experience in a Hospice, Hospital or Community setting.
• Able to write concise, legible and accurate nursing notes.
• Understanding of specialist palliative care.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the delivery of individualised holistic care of patients.
• Maintain health, safety and security of self and others.
• Record data accurately using the agreed systems.

Skills

Good organisational skills

Interpersonal skills

Basic IT skills

Ability to prioritize

Education

NVQ 2

Job description

A fantastic opportunity has arisen at Bury Hospicefor a Health Care Assistant to join our supportive and professional team withinthe Inpatient Unit. Thisrole will be both an inspiring and worthwhile opportunity to develop yourHealth Care Assistant skills and knowledge within a Specialist Palliative Caresetting.

Bury Hospice is an outstanding beacon of care and empathy forthe communities of Bury and we are always striving to improve the quality oflife of our patients with a potentially life-limiting illness. We put peoplefirst, putting them at the heart of everything we do.

Our Inpatient Unit provides a calm and caringenvironment for our patients and visitors. Our team of staff are trulycommitted to ensuring everyone is treated with dignity, respect and compassion.

Main duties of the job

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Toassist in the delivery of the planned, individualised holistic care of patientsand support of their families/carers.
• Toensure that the physical, emotional, spiritual and social needs remainparamount at all times
• Toestablish and maintain communication with people on routine/ operationalmatters.
• Tomaintain health, safety and security of self and others within the hospiceenvironment.
• Todevelop own skills and knowledge (theoretical, practical, procedural).
• Tosupport the maintenance and development of services.
• Torecord data accurately using the agreed systems.
• Toassist in providing a welcoming. Friendly and professional environment whererelatives may participate appropriately as partners within the caring team.
• Toassist in the maintenance of harmonious working relationships within the wardteam

About us

Bury Hospice is an outstanding beacon of care and empathy for the communities of Bury and we are always striving to improve the quality of life of our patients with a potentially life-limiting illness. We put people first, putting them at the heart of everything we do.

Job responsibilities

PATIENT CARE

Assisting members ofthe nursing team in providing the highest standard of physical, social andspiritual care for patients, their relatives and friends.To undertake delegatedtasks and activities (within agreed protocols).To accurately recordinformation within agreed guidelines and pass it to the relevant people in theteam in a timely manner.To recognise changes inthe patients needs and report these to a qualified nurse.To support families/carers, making certain that all information is shared with the nursing team inorder to promote holistic care.To ensure that allcare/ support given is reported and documented, at the earliest opportunity,within the agreed systems.To obtain consent frompatient/ carer before commencing any care related task.To respect theindividuals privacy, dignity and beliefs.To work within wellestablished procedures and/or practices with supervision close by.

POLICY AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT

To have anunderstanding of the philosophy and ethos behind the care provided at BuryHospice and to abide by Bury Hospice policies and procedures.

To contribute tofundraising activities.

To attend andparticipate in Team Meetings.

COMMUNICATION

To communicate withpeople clearly in a manner and at a level and pace appropriate to theirabilities, preferences and beliefs, treating everybody equitably and withrespect.

To actively participatein daily unit handover.

To actively listen andrespond, to ensure accurate information is recorded and reported.

To maintainconfidentiality of information consistent with legislation and Bury Hospicepolicy.

To maintain aprofessional approach when representing the Hospice or when identified as anemployee.

PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

To participate in anannual appraisal and, with the help of others, formulate a Personal DevelopmentPlan (PDP) that reflects individual and team aims.

To take responsibilityfor own continued learning, development and performance and maintain ownPersonal Development and competency Portfolio.

To attend/completemandatory training and other study sessions/ training as identified on anon-going basis and from appraisal.

To demonstratecommitment to continuing professional development by increasing theoreticalknowledge through further study.

To evaluate studysessions and cascade information to colleagues using a variety of systems.

To demonstrate ownactivities or workplace routines when delegated, to new or less experiencedemployees in the work area.

To seek help, supportand advice when required.

HUMAN, PHYSICAL AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES

To efficiently organiseown time management within the workload of the team.

To act as a role modelfor new staff, students, volunteers and any other visiting professionals.

To ensure effective useof material resources/ supplies within the Hospice.

To ensure equipment isused safely, stored appropriately and securely and maintained as permanufacturers instructions.

INFORMATION RESOURCES

To record delegateddata using the agreed systems.

To contribute toupdating of patient records.

CLINICAL GOVERNANCE

To have anunderstanding of how to maintain standards of care.

To ensure own actionspromote quality and alert others to quality issues.

To participate inaudit/ benchmarking as required, supporting the introduction of a change inpractice if indicated.

HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK

Act as a responsibleindividual in relation to Health and Safety and be aware of theresponsibilities of all employees to maintain a safe and healthy environmentfor patients, visitors, staff, volunteers and contractors.

Take reasonable care ofthe health and safety of yourself and other persons who may be affected by youracts or omissions at work, and to co-operate with the Hospice in adhering tostatutory and departmental safety regulations.

Responsible forensuring that you do not intentionally or recklessly misuse or interfere withanything provided in the interests of health, safety or welfare e.g. misuse ofequipment.

Contribute to thecontrol of risk and report immediately, using the Hospice Incident reportingsystem, any incident, accident or near miss involving patients, service users,carers, staff, contractors or members of the public.

To summon help and takeimmediate and appropriate action in relation to any adverse incident.

To work withinlegislation and Bury Hospice procedures on risk management.

All Hospice sites havebeen designated a no smoking area.Therefore smoking is not permitted within Hospice premises, or whilstrepresenting the Hospice in the course of their duty. While the Hospice will not discriminateagainst employing smokers, all prospective employees should be aware of thispolicy.

VOLUNTEERS

The Hospice has theadvantage of being supported by a number of volunteers.

If a volunteer isassigned to assist you at any time, you will still retain responsibility forthe requirements of this job in terms of accuracy, efficiency and standards ofcompletion.

You will also ensuregood communication and be mindful of your responsibility towards that volunteerin terms of Health and Safety.

STANDARDS OF BUSINESS CONDUCT

Comply with the Hospicefinancial instructions and, at all times, deal honestly with the organisation,with colleagues and with all those who have dealings with the organisation,including patients, relatives and suppliers.

Ensure that behaviourand interests inside and outside work do not conflict with Hospice duties and/or responsibilities.

Comply with and supportthe development of performance standards within the service/ department toensure the service is responsive to and meets the needs of the Hospice.

Develop and maintaingood working relationships with all patients, service users, staff, contractorsand, where appropriate, members of the public.

The Hospice aims tomaintain the good will and confidence of its staff, patients, service users,contractors and members of the public.To assist in achieving this objective it is essential that, at alltimes, you carry out duties in a courteous, sympathetic and professional manner.

Comply with Hospicestandards and codes of conduct. It isyour responsibility to ensure you are both familiar with, and adhere to, theserequirements.

EQUALITY & DIVERSITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Carry out duties withfull regard to the Hospice Equality and Diversity Policy, avoiding unlawfuldiscriminatory behaviour and actions when dealing with colleagues, serviceusers, members of the public and all other stakeholders.

Promote awareness of,and respect for, equality and diversity in accordance with the Hospice policiesand procedures.

Responsible fortreating all staff, patients, service users, contractors and members of thepublic with dignity and respect at all times.

SAFEGUARDING

Appointments to regulated and controlled activities require appropriateDBS clearance. Checking will be in accordance with the timeline promulgated bythe Independent Safeguarding Authority.

Responsibility to promote the welfare of any child, young person or vulnerableadult you come into into contact withand, in cases where there are safeguarding concerns, to act upon them andprotect the individual from harm.

Refer any safeguarding issues to line manager or nurse in charge, andescalate accordingly, in line with the Hospice Safeguarding Policies.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Ensure that thedisclosure and use of confidential patient information is both lawful andethical, and to recognise own responsibility for compliance with relevantlegislation.

Be aware of theconfidential nature of the Hospice environment and/or your role. Any matters of a confidential nature,relating to patients, carers, relatives, staff or volunteers must not bedivulged to any unauthorised person.

DATA PROTECTIONYoushould make yourself aware of the requirements of the General Data ProtectionRegulation which came into effect on 25th May 2018 and follow all codes ofpractice to ensure appropriate action is taken to safeguard confidentialinformation.

Refer to Hospice InformationGovernance and data Protection Policies and Procedures.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• NVQ 2

Skills / Competence

• Good organisational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Able to write concise, legible and accurate nursing notes.
• Ability to plan and manage own time and tasks.
• Ability to prioritise and work under pressure to deadlines.
• Basic IT skills and able to access the internet and use e-mail.
• Evidence of team or group working.

Experience

• Healthcare experience in a Hospice, Hospital or Community setting.
• Recent relevant experience in a hospice.
• An understanding of specialist palliative care.

Work Related Circumstances

• Required to work flexibly as per nursing rota/internal rotation to night duty.
• Attend training/ events as required.

Qualities

• Efficient, resourceful and flexible.
• Diplomatic, and logical approach.
• Professional attitude, responsive and adaptable approach.
• Commitment to quality and professional standards.