Healthcare Assistant

NHS; Oldham; Hybrid; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A local hospice in Oldham is seeking a Healthcare Assistant to deliver exceptional nursing care to patients. The role involves assisting with medication, communicating with patients and families, and working collaboratively with a healthcare team. Candidates should possess NVQ level 2 in Health Care and have strong communication skills. Flexibility in working hours is essential, as shifts include evenings and weekends. Employee benefits include 27 days holiday and a company pension.

Benefits

Company Pension

27 days holiday (pro-rata)

Wellbeing activities

Vehicle provision for community visits

Qualifications

• Experience working in a caring capacity is desirable.
• Willingness to undertake further study or training as required.
• Previous experience in a palliative care setting is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Provide high standard of nursing care to patients.
• Communicate effectively with patients and families.
• Assist in the administration of prescribed medication.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Ability to work in a team

Ability to follow protocols

Education

NVQ level 2 in Health Care

Basic education in English and Mathematics

Job description

• Do you have experience of working within Healthcare or Caring for others?
• Have you worked alone or in a team within the Community?
• Can you work flexible hours days/evenings
• Do you drive a manual car and hold a full UK manual driving licence/have business car insurance?

Job summary

Healthcare Assistant - Caring Hands

• Do you have experience of working within Healthcare or Caring for others?
• Have you worked alone or in a team within the Community?
• Can you work flexible hours days/evenings
• Do you drive a manual car and hold a full UK manual driving licence/have business car insurance?

If you have the ability to:

• Provide a consistently high standard of palliative nursing care keeping up the reputation of the Hospice
• Sensitively, care for clients and their families in their own homes, respecting the privacy and dignity of the client and their families at all times
• Communicate well both verbally with your client and their family but also in writing to the Home Care Coordinator/Community Services Manager

If you are a team player with a strong can do work ethic and ideally have worked previously within a care setting plus you can work flexibly across all hospice services and have a full UK driving licence we are looking for you!

Main duties of the job

We are an inclusive organisation, that promotes equality, and embraces the diversity of our community. We are open and transparent with our staff, and invest in your training and development. We treat all our staff, patients, and volunteers, with the utmost respect and dignity and are compassionate to their needs in this ever-changing world. If you align with our values, then Dr Kershaws is the place for you; start a new career today and join our growing team that puts our local community and our patients at the heart of everything we do!

With shortshifts or long days, regular breaks, free parking on site we provide a good work life balance to all ourstaff, including wellbeing activities and support.

Thewellbeing of our staff is key at the Hospice and we provide, a food bank,subsidised meals, counsellor and complementary therapy as well as hold regularNurse Forums and team social activities, across the Hospice. If applicants areNHS staff you may be able to continue to contribute to your NHS pension,alternatively Dr Kershaws Pension is offered.

About us

Dr Kershaws is an independent Hospice serving the people of Oldham and surrounding districts and a registered charity.At Dr Kershaws patients are at the heart of everything we do. Since 1989, our mission has been to add quality to the lives of those with life limiting illness. Our values and principles of behaviour are key to all we do.

To achieve all this, we need enthusiastic, self-motivated and pro-active people with a desire to care for others, and who are reliable, interested in working in a healthcare setting and share our values.

We are expanding our HCA team and have both day and evening shifts available with full and part time positions considered. Day shift hours include evenings, weekends and bank holidays. Part time or full time hours available / flexible over 7 days (Mon to Sun), early (06.45hrs 14.15hrs) and late shift (15.45hrs 22.15hrs)

Employee benefits include: Company Pension, 27 days holiday (pro-rata), unsocial hours payments, vehicle provision for community visits, Blue Light Card (discounts), and Wellbeing activities.

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOBDESCRIPTION

TITLE:HealthcareAssistant (HCA)

ACCOUNTABLE TO:Directorof Clinical Services

RESPONSIBLE TO: Directorof Clinical Services

HOURS: Full / Part time

LOCATION: Dr Kershaws Hospice

ROLE SUMMARY: To work asa member of the Hospices
team to provide a consistently highstandard
of direct nursing care to the patientand their significant others both in the Hospice and across community services

____________________________________________________________________

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Soundbasic education in English and Mathematics.NVQ level 2 in Health Care/ Care Certificate or equivalent desirable

Previousexperience in palliative care setting desirable.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1.To work with the multidisciplinary team assisting to achieve a consistently highstandard of care for patients and their significant others both in the Hospiceand community services.

2.To apply the Hospice values and principles of behavior to uphold the goodreputation of the Hospice

3.To develop good communications with the patient and the family passing on allrelevant information to the Nurse in Charge/Care Coordinator

4.To inform Nurse in Charge/Care Coordinator of any change in the patientscondition.

5.To liaise with the Hospice staff as necessary to maintain the comfort and well-beingof the client.

6.To respect the privacy and dignity of the patient and their significant others atall times.

7.Supportpatients to take their prescribed medication, and complete MAR Chart (CaringHands).

8.Be a counter signatory on the receipt, administration and stock balance checks ofControlled Drugs, following the completion of Medicines Management training.

9.Givingand receiving telephone messages, following liaison with Nurse in Charge.

10.To carry out nursing practices for the patient in accordance with Hospice policy.

11.To know and carry out agreed procedures for the care and custody of patientsvaluables and property.

12.To escort patients as requested by Nurse in Charge.

13.To observe and adhere to Hospice fire precautions.

14.To report all accidents, incidents, hazards or complaints to the Nurse in Charge/CareCoordinator

15.To exercise care and economy in the use of property and equipment.

16.Maintenanceof general tidiness throughout the Hospice including patient equipment.

17.To respect the particular needs of patients.

18.To be involved in verbal and written reports with supervision as needed. Ensuring all communication is of a highstandard.

19.Co-operationwith the investigation of accidents and untoward occurrences. Ensuring that Hospice policy is adhered to.

20.Attendingstaff meetings and discussion groups as required.

21.Participatingin in-service training programme.

22.In accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act, taking all precautions toprovide a safe environment for patients and colleagues.

23.Acceptingopportunities to attend study days or educational visits. Completion of
Mandatory Training.

24.Reportany defective equipment to the person in charge.

25.Relayingany queries or concerns from the client or their families to the Nurse inCharge/Care Coordinator.

26.Respectingat all times the need to maintain confidentiality regarding all patient information.

27.Assistwith the promotion of good staff morale.Give support and help to others as appropriate.

28.Adhereto the Hospice a No Smoking policy

Volunteers

DrKershaws Hospice is generously supported through its active volunteers whowork alongside employees of the Hospice, across all departments, helping tofulfil the needs of the services.

Aspart of all roles at the Hospice, it is expected that all post holders committo assisting and supporting volunteers to perform their roles to the best of their ability. In addition, it may be required of the post holder to actas a volunteer lead if identified with the Volunteer Co-coordinator, asappropriate.

Health and Safety/Security

1.To be familiar with all requirements of the Health and Safety at Works Acts andthe Hospice Health & Safety policies and regulations applicable to thepost.

2.To co-operate actively with the nominated Health & Safety person in achievingthe aims of the Hospice Health & Safety Policy, Fire Regulations, relatedissues and various procedures and ensure the legal requirements are met.

3.To take responsible care for the health and safety of themselves and of others whomay be affected by their acts or omission, and comply with the Health andSafety legislation.

4.To wear appropriate safety clothing and use appropriate safety devices asrequires, and not to interfere with or misuse anything which is provided in theinterests of health and safety.

5.To report and co-operate with the investigation of all incidents and accidentsthat have led to or may lead to injury and to report all hazards or shortcomingin the protection arrangements.

6.To ensure as far as predictable that all materials used within the Hospice and itssubsidiaries for fundraising activities are properly stored, used, maintained andrepaired as necessary.

7.To oversee Risk Management Assessments and ensure outcomes are acted upon.

Education & Training

Thepost holder will:

1.Participatein the hospice appraisal system.

2.To maintain high professional standards and to continue own personal andprofessional development.

3.Assist in teaching and supervision of other members of staff and volunteers.

4.Participatein the orientation of new staff.

5.Attendall mandatory training/update sessions.

General

1.Confidentiality- It is a condition of employment that staff will not disclose any informationobtained in the course of their duties other than to those entitled to receiveit. The post holder must ensure that theconfidentiality of personal data remains secure and the terms of the DataProtection Act and relevant Hospice policies are met in respect of informationheld on the Hospice computer system.

2.EqualOpportunities The Hospice is committed to equality of opportunity. All staff are required to comply with currentlegislation and Hospice policies.

3.Healthand Safety Staff must ensure they are familiar with the requirements of theHealth and Safety Work Act (1974) and the Hospice Health and Safety policiesand regulations applicable to their post.

4.SafeguardingDr Kershaws Hospice is committed to safeguarding adults and children andexpects all staff to share in this commitment.Staff have a responsibility to ensure they are aware of specificduties relating to their role and should familiarise themselves with theHospice safeguarding policy. Regularsafeguarding training updates will be held and is mandatory for all staff.

Theabove indicates the main duties that may be reviewed in the light of experienceand developments within the service. Anyreview will be undertaken in conjunction with the post holder.

The job description for this postis not exhaustive and will be subject to review from time to time in accordancewith development and changes, if any, by the Hospice Senior Management Team inconsultation with the post holder.

This document is a guideline to thegeneral scope of duties involved and it is not intended as a rigid inflexiblespecification.

Due to the nature of the organisation you will undertake any otherreasonable tasks or duties that are deemed to be within your capability, tomeet the needs of the organisations services and/or directed by a seniormanager to whom you have a reporting relationship.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Sound basic education in English and Mathematics.
• NVQ level 2 in Health Care/ Care Certificate
• Willingness to undertake relevant further study or training as required for the post

Desirable

• NVQ2 in Customer Care.
• Working towards or have achieved NVQ2 in Direct Care or equivalent
• Previous experience in palliative care setting desirable.

Experience

Essential

• Ability to work in a team or alone as required.

Desirable

• Previous experience in working in a caring capacity.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Excellent communication skills (written & verbal)
• Ability to liaise with clients and others in a sensitive manner
• Ability to follow protocols and procedures

Desirable

• IT basic keyboard skills

Personal Charaterisitics

Essential

• Desire to care for people.
• Interest in working in a healthcare setting.
• Kind & Caring
• Reliable

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Dr Kershaw’s Hospice

Address

Dr Kershaws Hospice

Turf Lane

Royton

Oldham

OL2 6EU

Employer's website

https://drkershawshospice.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)