Healthcare Assistant - Inpatient Unit

NHS; Lichfield; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 26,000; Part time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Lichfield is seeking a part-time Healthcare Assistant to provide high-quality palliative care for patients. Responsibilities include supporting patients with daily living activities and maintaining sensitive relationships with families. Candidates should have a Level 2 qualification in Health and Social Care and experience in a healthcare setting. Competitive salary ranges from £24,070.42 to £25,145.87 pro-rata per annum.

Qualifications

• Willingness to undertake study if required.
• Good standard of education.
• Experience in a healthcare setting.
• Experience in palliative care or oncology.
• Some understanding of caring for patients in a palliative care environment.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality palliative care under supervision.
• Assist patients with daily living activities.
• Maintain sensitive relationships with patients and families.
• Record vital signs and maintain patient care records.

Skills

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

IT Literate

Ability to be confidential

Education

Level 2 qualification in Health and Social Care

Job description

30 hours and 34.5 hours, part time, flexible over 7 days including weekends, bank holidays and nights to cover a 24 hour service

A1 £24,070.42 to A3 £25,145.87 - pro rata for part time hours

(plus enhancements where applicable)

Main duties of the job

To deliver a range of patient care duties under the direct supervision of registered nurses and to assist registered staff in the provision of high-quality palliative care for patients, their relatives and carers.

About us

St Giles Hospice is a registered charity founded in 1983 by the Reverend Paul Brothwell, originally to improve the care of local people dying with cancer.

We now support patients, and their loved ones, living with a terminal illness. Our dedicated team provides individually-tailored care, free of charge, either at the hospice or in patients own homes across our communities.

We spend close to £10 million a year providing our specialist services. With just 18% of this funded by the Government, we rely heavily on donations and income generation from the local community.

Job responsibilities

The role entails but is not limited to:

Maintain appropriate, sensitive, caring and tactful relationships with patients, families and carers.

Assist in the implementation of all care for which they are competent to practice under the direct supervision of registered staff, in accordance with St Giles Hospice policies and procedures.

Demonstrate a knowledge of care procedures and clinical observations etc. that are consistent with NVQ Level 2 or equivalent.

Assist patients to maintain all aspects of daily living activities in accordance with individual programmes of care with close supervision of registered nurses.

To maintain patients personal hygiene and appearance.

To assist with eating and drinking.

To assist with toileting and with (access to) toilet facilities.

To help to make patients as comfortable as possible.

To help patients to make the best of whatever time they have left, in whatever way they can.

To support patients, and their relatives, as they approach end of life.

To inform registered nurses of any significant changes in patients conditions.

To signpost patients and relatives to other appropriate hospice services.

Assist registered nursing staff in aspects of technical care and record keeping, e.g. taking and recording vital signs i.e. temperature, pulse, and respiration, urine testing and obtaining specimens.

Exchange factual information with, and offer support as appropriate to patients, their families and carers and professional colleagues.

Maintain accurate and timely paper and electronic records of patient care delivered in accordance with guidance and training provided.

Ensure that confidentiality of information is maintained at all times.

Assist with care after death.

Assist with clinical procedures following appropriate training.

Be aware of the health, safety and wellbeing of self, staff, patients and all others on hospice property and comply with the St Giles Hospice Health and Safety Policy.

Utilise educational opportunities to facilitate learning in the clinical environment. Participate in education and training activities as required.

Be aware of, and comply with all manner of St Giles Hospice policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines alongside observing a personal duty of care when using equipment or handling patients valuables.

Undertake other duties as may be required, and which are consistent with the responsibilities of the post.

Learn new skills associated with the role.

Co-operate with, and communicate clearly and professionally, any changes that may affect patient care to the nurse in charge of the Inpatient Unit, or to the nurse in charge via another registered nurse.

Work with and support voluntary staff in the provision of care as directed.

Supervise, where appropriate, less experienced Healthcare Assistants.

Just so you know:

This post is subject to a Disclose and Barring Service (DBS) check.

We may review applications before the application review date, however, if you apply after the application review date, your application may not be considered. We will accept applications until we have successfully filled the role, this may be earlier than the closing date.

If you have not heard within 14 days of the application close date, then please consider that your application has been unsuccessful at this time.

As part of your application your data will be managed in line with St Giles Hospice Privacy Policy and kept for 6 months. If you would like to see this in full, please visit https://www.stgileshospice.com/privacy-policy/

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Willingness to undertake study if required
• Level 2 qualification in Health and Social Care

Experience

• Good standard of education
• Experience in a healthcare setting
• Experience in palliative care or oncology
• Some understanding of caring for patients in a palliative care environment

Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• IT Literate
• Ability to be confidential

Personal Attributes

• Team Player
• Able to work under pressure

Other Requirements

• Valid driving licence
• Eligibility to work in the UK
• Please note that St Giles Hospice does not hold a sponsorship licence and is therefore unable to accept sponsorship requests

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.

£24,070.42 to £25,145.87 a year- pro rata for part time hrs, + enhancements where applicable