In-Patient Unit Healthcare Assistant

NHS; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

An outstanding hospice in Ipswich is seeking passionate caregivers to join their team. You will provide individualised care and support to patients and their families, ensuring comfort and respect for their choices. Ideal candidates will have relevant healthcare qualifications and experience working in a team. This position offers flexible working hours and a supportive environment for career development.

Benefits

27 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Life Cover

Cycle to Work Scheme

Health Service Discounts

Occupational Sick Pay

Blue Light Card

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Demonstrate experience of team working.
• Community/palliative care experience is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualised care to patients and families under the supervision of a Registered Nurse.
• Assist in personal care including hygiene and comfort needs.
• Report on patients condition to registered staff.

Skills

Effective communicator

IT literate

Education

Good standard of education in numeracy and literacy

NVQ level III in direct care

Care Certificate or level 2 certificate in health and social care

Job description

Overview

Job summary

If you have a passion for caring and are interested in making a real difference to patients and their families, come and join the outstanding St Elizabeth Hospice team. Rated Outstanding from the Care Quality Commission, St Elizabeth Hospice improves life for people living with a progressive or life-limiting illness. Our work is centred on an individual's needs, which means care whenever and wherever it is needed, whether at home, in the community or at the hospice. We are well respected and praised for our responsiveness and expertise by people we serve.

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

Interview Date: 21 October 2025

St Elizabeth Hospice offers the unique opportunity to work alongside our outstanding multi-disciplinary team, providing planned and reactive or urgent care to patients and support to their loved ones.

Every patient and family member is valued and we pride ourselves in giving dedicated time to care for patients, whether it is in a patients home, on the telephone through OneCall or at the In-Patient Unit in Ipswich.

As well as joining our rewarding and well-respected organisation, St Elizabeth Hospice is here to support your career, with progression and training opportunities available to enhance your skills and development.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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 families 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.
• Records patient information.
• 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.

Job responsibilities (additional context)

• 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

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.

Education, Qualifications & Experience

Qualifications

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

Experience

• Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Demonstrate experience of team working.

Desirable

• Community/palliative care experience.
• 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.

Skills

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

Details

Band: Band 2

Salary: Depending on experience

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time

Location: 565 Foxhall Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 8LX

Reference number: B0291-25-0039

Date posted: 26 September 2025

Benefits

• 27 days annual leave entitlement
• Pension scheme
• Life Cover
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Car Leasing Scheme
• Health Service Discounts
• Occupational Sick Pay
• Blue Light Card
• Employee Assistance Programme

Safeguarding & Safety

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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer

St Elizabeth Hospice, 565 Foxhall Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 8LX