Healthcare Assistant Canterbury

NHS; Canterbury; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A local healthcare provider in Canterbury seeks a Healthcare Assistant to join a multi-disciplinary team in supporting patients with palliative and end-of-life care. The role involves assisting with personal care, maintaining accurate patient records, and ensuring safety. Ideal candidates have relevant qualifications and a compassionate approach. A flexible working schedule, including nights and weekends, is required.

Benefits

Alignment with NHS pay rates

Opportunities for professional development

Good work-life balance

NHS financial discounts

Qualifications

• Candidates must have good communication skills with patients and families.
• Ability to demonstrate care for patients in a palliative care ward environment.
• Experience in providing personal care to patients.

Responsibilities

• Assist patients with personal care while maintaining their dignity.
• Maintain accurate records at the point of care.
• Ensure patient safety and follow care plans.

Skills

Good communication and organisational skills

Working on own initiative with common sense approach

Understanding of palliative care

Willingness to work unsocial hours

Empathic and sensitive

Education

NVQ in Care Level II or Care Certificate

Job description

Job summary

Do you have a background in healthcare? Do you want to develop your healthcare assistant's skills into a specialist role and be part of a pro-active multi-disciplinary and professional team, who put excellent patient care as their priority?

Do you have a passion for working collaboratively in an environment of thriving on positive change and making a difference to those with palliative and end of life care needs? Are you passionate about supporting and empowering patients to live well until their very last moment in their life?

If so, then the role of Healthcare Assistant at Pilgrims may be just the job for you! We are seeking well-motivated and forward thinking professionals to join our multi-disciplinary team, in supporting patients across east Kent.

The successful candidate will join a busy and dynamic ward where they will be assisting the Nursing team in ensuring that patients receive the highest standard of care in a safe and pleasant environment.

Main duties of the job

• Working under the direct supervision of the registered nurse administers as directed in the patients care plan, nursing care to patients in order to meet their fundamental health care needs
• Assisting patients with personal care whilst maintaining privacy and dignity at all times
• Assisting patients to eat and or drink as independently as possible
• Undertaking some tasks independently without direction and supervision i.e. making beds and cleaning of equipment
• Maintaining accurate records at the point of care using the hospices electronic record and reports relevant information directly to the registered nurse
• Using and storing all equipment safely and correctly in accordance with Hospice and manufacturers instructions
• Attending mandatory training
• Ensuring patient's safety at all times and that any care given is in line with training received and follows either verbal direction from a registered nurse or is directed via written nursing care plans or multidisciplinary goal setting sheets
• Assisting in transferring deceased patients to the relevant areas in the hospice setting
• Assisting in giving the deceased last offices respecting their spiritual, cultural and religious needs
• Releasing the patient in to the care of the relevant undertakers
• Ensuring safe custody of patients property

As our wards operate on a shift working basis, candidates need a flexible approach to working hours, including the ability to work nights and weekends.

About us

As an award-winning employer, Pilgrims provides end of life care services to patients and their families across east Kent.

Our commitment is to provide open, compassionate care and expertise for patients and their families both in the community and in-patient units.

Our Vision: Of a community where people with a terminal illness, and their family and friends, are supported and empowered to live well in mind and body until the very last moment of their life.

Other Benefits

As an Employer of Choice, our commitment to supporting our employees and volunteers is a key priority.

• Modern, friendly and highly professional working environments
• Opportunities for professional development through a range of extensive learning
• Alignment with NHS pay rates and continuity in membership of the NHS pension scheme
• A sense of achievement in supporting a worthwhile cause
• A sense of wellbeing
• A good work-life balance
• Locations across well-populated areas of east Kent all providing very good road and rail links
• NHS and financial discounts i.e. Blue Light Card

Person Specification

Skill and Abilities

• Good communication and organisational skills
• Working on own initiative with common sense approach
• Understanding and ability to demonstrate how to care for a patient in a palliative care ward environment
• Willingness to work unsocial hours including nights regularly or on a permanent basis
• Car owner or access to suitable transport arrangements to enable to undertake job
• Flexible approach to working pattern and duties
• Sensitive, caring and empathetic
• Confidence to work alone and as part of a team
• Good communication skills with patients, families, carers and the multi-disciplinary team
• Excellent documentation skills

Qualification

• NVQ in Care Level II Or Care Certificate

Right to Work in the UK

• All candidates must have the right to work in the UK and documentary evidence of proof will be requested as part of the pre-screening process. Pilgrims Hospices does not offer sponsorship to overseas applicants.

Experience

• Experience of caring for others Previous experience in providing personal care to patients