Hospice at Home Health Care Assistant

NHS; City Of London; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health service provider in the UK is seeking a dedicated Health Care Assistant to join their Hospice at Home service in Hammersmith Fulham. The role involves providing personal care, emotional support, and collaborating with clinical staff to ensure high-quality palliative care for patients wishing to remain at home. Candidates must have relevant NVQ qualifications and experience in end-of-life care.

Qualifications

• Experience of caring for patients at end of life or those with life limiting illness.
• At least 12 months experience as a Health Care Assistant in a hospital or other caring environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide emotional support to patients and families.
• Assist with personal hygiene and toileting needs.
• Monitor skin integrity and nutrition.
• Support patients with medication reminders.
• Collaborate with nursing staff on care plans.

Skills

Caring for patients

Monitoring symptoms

Personal hygiene assistance

Emotional support

Collaboration with health professionals

Education

NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Health Care

Job description

Overview

We are expanding our Hospice at Home service into Hammersmith Fulham and are seeking to recruit additional Health Care Assistants. The post holder will be working alone in patients' home and will be responsible for the provision of their individual care needs, which may include assisting with personal hygiene, toileting needs, monitoring skin integrity, supporting nutrition and hydration, and prompting re medication. You will also be providing emotional support to the patient and those important to them. The service is designed to deliver end of life and respite care for patients with specialist palliative care needs who wish to remain in their own home. The Health Care Assistant will work autonomously and be responsible for giving a quality of care. You will be supported by Hospice @Home Clinical Support Nurses and the Hospice@Home Nurse Manager.

Please note: applicants should apply directly via the employer's website and only applications received through the employer's website will be reviewed.

Job responsibilities

1. To have a basic understanding of the special nursing needs of patients requiring palliative care.
2. Recognise any change in symptoms and contact the relevant professional.
3. To assist in ensuring that the client is cared for in a safe and comfortable environment.
4. To assist in meeting all aspects of a client's personal hygiene and toileting needs and monitor skin integrity.
5. To assist with feeding/drinking when necessary.
6. To assist with moving/turning/mobilisation of the client, depending on what is most appropriate.
7. Prompt patient with taking medications (if they are dispensed in a blister pack).
8. Where a patient is receiving medication using a medical device e.g. syringe driver, to supervise and alert community nursing should a problem arise.
9. To assist with and be aware of any actions that may be necessary at the time of a client's death.
10. Inform the H@H Nurse Manager or Clinical Support Nurse of any concerns, incidents or change in patient condition.
11. Working collaboratively and professionally with other health/social care professionals involved.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2 or 3 in Health Care
• Experience of caring for patients at end of life or those with life limiting illness
• At least 12 months experience as a Health Care Assistant in a hospital or other caring environment

Other requirements

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

The Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth

60 Grove End Road, St John’s Wood, London NW8 9NH

Website: https://www.hje.org.uk/