In-Patient Unit Healthcare Assistant

St Elizabeth Hospice; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading palliative care organization in Ipswich seeks a Healthcare Assistant to provide compassionate care to patients. The role includes assisting with daily living needs and requires a commitment to ongoing training and professional development. No prior experience in health and social care is necessary. Join a supportive team dedicated to improving lives and wellbeing.

Benefits

27 days annual leave

Life cover

Cycle to work scheme

Car leasing scheme

Health service discounts

Occupational sick pay

Employee assistance programme

Qualifications

• Experience working within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Understanding of safeguarding principles.
• Willingness to develop own knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualised care under the supervision of a nurse.
• Assist with personal care and hygiene.
• Support patients and families' psychological needs.

Skills

Team working

Effective communication

Adaptability

Literacy and numeracy

Education

Good standard of education

Care Certificate or level 2 in health and social care

Job description

If you have a passion for caringand are interested in making a real difference to patients and their families,come and join the outstanding St Elizabeth Hospice team.

RatedOutstanding from the Care Quality Commission, St Elizabeth Hospice improveslife for people living with a progressive or life-limiting illness. Our work iscentred on an individual's needs, which means care whenever and wherever it isneeded, whether at home, in the community or at the hospice. We are well respected and praised for ourresponsiveness and expertise by people we serve.

Whilst possessing a care certificate or havingexperience of healthcare or care work is desirable, it is not essential as thereare no set entry requirements to become a healthcare assistant at St ElizabethHospice. In addition our commitment to you is that we will open up excellent trainingand development opportunities in order for you to progress your career withinSt Elizabeth Hospice.

Main duties of the job

Weare seeking a Healthcare Assistant with an interest in palliative care to workwithin our multi-disciplinary team who provide physical, psycho-social andspiritual care to patients. You do not necessarilyneed experience in health and social care or palliative care. You may be lookingfor a career change. If this is you, look no further, we will support you withall the necessary training in order for you to gain a recognised health andsocial care qualification, whilst providing excellent career developmentopportunities.

If you would like an opportunity to find out some more about working atthe hospice, and how it can fit your own career aspirations, we recommend adiscussion prior to you completing your application.

Hours: Full or part time. Full rotation, 24/7 days a week

InterviewDate: 21 October 2025

StElizabeth Hospice offers the unique opportunity to work alongside ouroutstanding multi-disciplinary team, providing planned and reactive or urgentcare to patients and support to their loved ones.

Everypatient and family member is valued and we pride ourselves in giving dedicatedtime to care for patients, whether it is in a patients home, on the telephonethrough OneCall or at the In-Patient Unit in Ipswich.

Aswell as joining our rewarding and well-respected organisation, St ElizabethHospice is here to support your career, with progression and trainingopportunities available to enhance your skills and development.

About us

StElizabeth Hospice is an innovative and compassionate organisation. Hear from HealthcareAssistants themselves on why working at St Elizabeth Hospice is so special:

Joiningthe hospice is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I cant imagineworking anywhere else, its a very special place to be and to work.

Manypeople have said it must be very sad to work at the hospice, which it can be,but it is also the most uplifting and positive place that I have ever worked.

StElizabeth Hospice is committed to safeguarding and protecting the adults andyoung people that we work with and has a zero-tolerance approach to abuse,neglect and discrimination of any person. As such, all posts are subject to arigorous safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminalrecords and vetting checks. We have a range of robust safeguarding policies inplace which promote safeguarding across the hospice and staff are expected toundertake regular, mandatory safeguarding training to equip them with theknowledge and skills to identify and respond to potential risks.

The hospice offers a generous benefitpackage, including:

27days annual leave entitlement

LifeCover

Cycleto Work Scheme

CarLeasing Scheme

HealthService Discounts

OccupationalSick Pay

BlueLight Card

EmployeeAssistance Programme

Job responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY

To work at all times under the supervision of a Registered Nurse in order to provide individualised care to patients and families whilst respecting patient choice.

SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES

Demonstrate a commitment to keeping adults and young people safe

Report any disclosure made to you to the appropriate person

Report any safeguarding concerns in the workplace to the appropriate person

Maintain an awareness of the Hospices policies in relation to safeguarding

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

To carry out agreed tasks involving direct patient care and activities within the clinical area, in accordance with the patient care plan.

• To provide personal care involving all hygiene, elimination, eating and drinking, mobilisation, rest, sleep and comfort needs.
• Reports on patients condition to registered staff.

To assist in meeting the patients and their familys spiritual and psychological needs, recognising and respecting religious and cultural beliefs.

To assist in providing support and comfort for the dying patient and his/her family.

To assist in effective verbal and written communication between patients, families and members of the multi-disciplinary team.

To provide assistance to the Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists as planned and as required.

To promote quality of life and offer activities as appropriate

• To have an understanding of safeguarding principles and to be able to apply these within everyday practice and intervention within your role
• Report any clinical incidents in accordance with the incident management policy.
• Work effectively with other members of the multiprofessional team so that care is coordinated.
• To deliver care in accordance with agreed policies and procedures.
• Contribute to fostering a learning and patient safety culture on the Inpatient Unit for all staff as well as students and visitors.
• Ensure adherence with relevant Infection Prevention and Control policies and procedures, raising any risks to the IPC group / Ward Manager.

GENERAL

Where you are a member of a professional body you are required to conform to the professional standards set by that body. You are required to ensure your registration is current and practice continuous professional development.

Because of the special nature of the Hospice and its work, the post holder may on occasion be asked to undertake other duties to help maintain our high standard of care.

About us

StElizabeth Hospice is an innovative and compassionate organisation. Hear from HealthcareAssistants themselves on why working at St Elizabeth Hospice is so special:

DisclaimerJoining the hospice is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I cant imagineworking anywhere else, its a very special place to be and to work.

Manypeople have said it must be very sad to work at the hospice, which it can be,but it is also the most uplifting and positive place that I have ever worked.

StElizabeth Hospice is committed to safeguarding and protecting the adults andyoung people that we work with and has a zero-tolerance approach to abuse,neglect and discrimination of any person. As such, all posts are subject to arigorous safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminalrecords and vetting checks. We have a range of robust safeguarding policies inplace which promote safeguarding across the hospice and staff are expected toundertake regular, mandatory safeguarding training to equip them with theknowledge and skills to identify and respond to potential risks.

The hospice offers a generous benefitpackage, including:

27days annual leave entitlement

LifeCover

Cycleto Work Scheme

CarLeasing Scheme

HealthService Discounts

OccupationalSick Pay

BlueLight Card

EmployeeAssistance Programme

Qualifications

• Good standard of education in numeracy and literacy.
• Care Certificate or level 2 certificate in health and social care (or willing to undertake).

Experience

• Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Demonstrate experience of team working.
• To have an understanding of safeguarding principles and to be able to apply these within everyday practice and intervention within your role.

Personal Qualities

• Demonstrable experience of team working.
• Be willing and able to develop own knowledge and deliver care across all Hospice settings.
• Ability to withstand sensitive and potentially stressful situations.
• Be adaptable, flexible, responsive & positive to change and service development.

Specific Skills

• Effective communicator ability to establish and maintain communication with patients, their families and colleagues.
• IT literate.

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.