Hospice Companions Care Coordinator

Rowans Hospice Charity; Waterlooville; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Rowans Hospice is seeking an organised Hospice Companions Coordinator to join the Living Well Services team in Purbrook. You will coordinate the Hospice Companion Service, manage referrals, plan nursing assessments and ensure personalised support for patients and families.

In this role you will build strong relationships with healthcare professionals and volunteers, maintain records, and support service delivery with compassion and high quality administration.

Qualifications

• Relevant level 3 qualification or working towards it.
• Microsoft Word and IT literacy to maintain databases.
• Experience in managing and working with volunteers.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with patients, families and colleagues.
• Car driver with a valid licence.
• Counselling training or equivalent experience.
• Experience in health or social care settings.
• Experience with SystemOne database.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate Hospice Companions referrals, assessments and care planning.
• Plan workloads and organise nurse-led assessments and visits.
• Maintain accurate records and information across systems.
• Liaise with patients, families, healthcare professionals and volunteers.
• Support governance, safeguarding and data reporting.

Skills

Level 3 qualification

Volunteer management

Interpersonal skills

Driving licence

Counselling training

IT literacy

Database experience

SystemOne

Education

Relevant level 3 qualification or working towards it

Tools

Microsoft Word

IT tools and databases

Job description

Join Rowans Hospice and make a meaningful difference to the lives of people living with life-limiting illnesses and those who care for them.

We are looking for an organised, compassionate and motivated Hospice Companions Coordinator to join our friendly Living Well Services Team, based at our Living Well Centre in Purbrook.

In this rewarding role, you will play a vital part in coordinating our Hospice Companion Service, helping patients and their families access the right support at the right time. You will manage referrals, coordinate assessments and visits, support care planning administration and liaise with patients, families, healthcare professionals and volunteers to ensure a responsive and person-centred service.

You will be joining a dedicated, supportive team committed to helping people maintain their independence, wellbeing and quality of life. Excellent communication, organisational skills, empathy and the ability to manage competing priorities are essential.

If you are passionate about supporting others, enjoy building positive relationships and want to be part of an organisation where compassion and kindness are at the heart of everything we do, we would love to hear from you.

Come and be part of Rowans Hospice, where every contribution makes a difference.

Main duties of the job

The main purpose of this role is to coordinate and support the delivery of the Hospice Companion Service, ensuring patients and their families receive appropriate, timely and compassionate support.

You will oversee the coordination of referrals, help arrange nursing assessments and ensure individual support plans are put into action through companion visits or telephone support. You will act as an important point of contact for patients, families, healthcare professionals and the wider hospice team, helping to ensure information is shared effectively and any concerns are promptly addressed.

You will also help manage the day-to-day organisation of the service, maintain accurate information and records, and build positive working relationships with colleagues and external services.

This is a varied and rewarding role, combining administration, coordination and communication, with the opportunity to make a genuine difference to the experience and wellbeing of people living with life-limiting illnesses.

About us

Rowans Hospice is a much-loved local charity providing free, specialist care and support to adults living with life-limiting illnesses, alongside their families and carers, across Portsmouth and South-East Hampshire.

Since 1994, we have been dedicated to helping people live as well as possible for as long as possible, delivering compassionate, person-centred care that makes a real difference when it matters most.

Our teams are made up of dedicated, caring and passionate people who share a commitment to kindness, dignity, respect and putting patients and families at the heart of everything we do. We pride ourselves on creating a welcoming, friendly and supportive working environment where colleagues work together, share knowledge and value each other's contributions.

Working at Rowans Hospice means being part of something special. You will have the opportunity to develop your skills, build meaningful relationships and make a positive difference to individuals, families and the wider community.

We recognise that our people are our greatest asset and strive to create a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported and proud of the difference they make.

Job responsibilities

Your Role

The Hospice Companions Care Co-Ordinator role will work within Rowans Living Well Services, which are led by the Living Well Services and Community Engagement Manager who are responsible to the Clinical Lead. The role is based at Rowans Living Well Centre, Purbrook.

Job Purpose

The Hospice Companion Service supports those with a progressive, life limiting illness who are experiencing social isolation, or providing support to their carers. The service aims to increase the level of independence where appropriate, choice and control of people living within their own homes. The service will fulfil this aim by providing emotional and practical support through experienced and compassionate volunteers managed by this role. The role is supported by the Deputy Living Well Manager and where needed the Living Well Manager

Key Working Relationships

Patients(clients) Carers, family members including children, clinical staff, non-clinical staff, volunteers. Other providers of support services, Other hospices, national and regional organisations related to palliative care and bereavement.

Key Areas of Responsibility / Key Accountabilities

Hospice Companion Service

• Provide administrative support for Hospice Companions referrals, assisting with referral intake, assessment coordination, care planning administration, and triage processes under the direct supervision of the Living Well Services Manager.
• Organise own workload in planning home visits and assessments to be carried out by nurses, triaging referrals and caseload, prioritising tasks.
• Following a referral arrange initial assessment meeting with client that is carried out for the nurses and complete
• Once a Hospice Companion Assessment is completed, follow assessment plan programme of support by arranging either Hospice companion visits or support calls. To include elements of potential risks associated with lone working.
• Liaise with Health Professional who refer when there is a need of more context or understanding of the situation.
• Working with the nurse team, be able to communicate with families and other professionals to negotiate outcomes and elevate any concerns.
• To develop, signpost and maintain effective working relationships with other members of the multi- disciplinary hospice team and family support services in addition to the Hospice Companion Service.
• To report to Living Well Services Deputy Manager (or Manager when not available) any matter regarding and affecting the smooth running of the service.
• Support with ensuring Hospice Companion Service information is kept updated and consistent across all mediums (written programme, website and electronic information board) under line managers directions.
• Help support the LWS Manager in providing up to date inputting and records to provide monthly/ quarterly/annual activity figures for referrals and caseload.
• Arrange and organise completion of quarterly evaluation following support to client. To be added to Vantage for reporting.
• Arrange and organise completion of evaluation at the end of the involvement of Hospice Companions to client. To be added onto Vantage for reporting.
• Maintain client spreadsheet with information for lone working processes.
• Maintain lone worker policy and act accordingly to maintain volunteer safety.
• To be responsible for maintaining Hospice Companions database of volunteers and tasks performed.
• To ensure knowledge about clients is maintained in the strictest confidence and is not divulged except to professionals where it would materially assist with their treatment and care or protection of the individual. (Confidentiality/Data Protection Act).
• To participate in data collection as required for audit/service development.
• To comply with hospice policies, procedures, standards and guidelines.
• To seek support and guidance if clinical concerns arise for someone supported by HC service
• To report any complaints/safeguarding concerns from patients, their relatives, or others acting on their behalf to the Living Well Services Manager/Deputy LWC Manager / Clinical Lead and assist with investigation of complaints as necessary knowing your boundaries and expectations within the process
• To support work at LWC as needed to have a greater understanding on the service as a whole and advocating for the LWC service where possible.
• When Volunteers or clients raise any concerns ensure this is escalated to the most appropriate person.
• To contribute to assessing risk factors for clients and volunteers.
• Ascertain and carefully select appropriate/compatible volunteer for each client.
• Assist and support both mandatory with training where appropriate and arrange specific for the role training of Hospice Companion volunteers.
• Arrange monthly supervision meetings for volunteers in conjunction with Deputy LWS manager providing support on any issues raised and elevate as needed.
• Provide support and instruction as needed to volunteers through 3 monthly catch ups and checking in after each initial meeting with client they have, to ensure working for both volunteer and client
• Maintain volunteer spreadsheet with information required for Lone working processes
• Support the Living Well Services Deputy Manager with the administration of the Hospice Companions volunteer recruitment process, including arranging interviews, coordinating communications, and assisting with volunteer selection procedures.
• To be responsible for maintaining Hospice Companions database of volunteers and tasks performed.
• Be responsible for supporting travel expenses of the volunteers

Qualifications and/or Experience

Relevant level 3 Qualification or working towards it

Microsoft Word, IT literacy skills to include processing, maintaining a database,

E-mail and Internet experience.

Experience of managing and working with volunteers

Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact well with the team, clients, volunteers and the bereaved.

Car driver and valid licence

Completed a level 1/2/3 counselling course

Experience of working in a health or social care environment

Adaptable to changing IT and technical software systems and open to learning.

Experience of using SystemOne database.

Skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to prepare comprehensive notes.

Understanding of grief and bereavement counselling.

Decision making, being responsible for knowing appropriate limitations of the role and when to seek further advice.

Able to manage unexpected disruption or changes in your daily routine or schedule.

Able to handle high-pressured and emotional situations in a busy environment.

Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information.

Able to show effective time management and diligence skills.

Good analytical and data-inputting skills and ability to manage multiple tasks at a time.

Other

Undertake any duties, which may be reasonably required within the scope of the role.

Please note that this job description is not exhaustive, and you may be required to undertake other duties, which are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.

Rowans Hospice is committed to equality of opportunity and to eliminating discrimination. All employees are expected to follow our Code of Conduct and comply with policies and procedures. They must also undertake specific training and assume responsibility for safety relevant to specific roles.

Qualifications

• Relevant level 3 Qualification or working towards it
• Microsoft Word, IT literacy skills to include processing, maintaining a database,
• E-mail and Internet experience.
• Experience of managing and working with volunteers
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact well with the team, clients, volunteers and the bereaved.
• Car driver and valid licence
• Completed a level 1/2/3 counselling course
• Experience of working in a health or social care environment
• Adaptable to changing IT and technical software systems and open to learning.
• Experience of using SystemOne database.

Experience

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to prepare comprehensive notes.
• Understanding of grief and bereavement counselling.
• Decision making, being responsible for knowing appropriate limitations of the role and when to seek further advice.
• Able to manage unexpected disruption or changes in your daily routine or schedule.
• Able to handle high-pressured and emotional situations in a busy environment.
• Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information.
• Able to show effective time management and diligence skills.
• Good analytical and data-inputting skills and ability to manage multiple tasks at a time.

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.