Palliative Care Support Worker (Inpatient Unit)

Allscreens Nationwide Ltd; Hereford; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Enhanced DBS check

Unsocial hours payments

Job summary

St Michaels Hospice is seeking a Palliative Care Support Worker for the inpatient unit. You will deliver person-centred palliative nursing care to patients and their families, in inpatient or home settings, under registered nurses’ direction.

The role involves assisting with clinical tasks, providing emotional support, and contributing to safety and privacy. Applicants may work evenings/nights and must meet DBS requirements.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering hands-on care in a palliative setting.
• Basic IT skills and a full UK driving licence (where required).
• Desirable Care Certificate or NVQ Level 3 in care or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualised, holistic palliative care to patients and families.
• Deliver care under supervision, including dressing changes and medication management up to tier 3.
• Escalate changes in condition and support bereavement needs.

Skills

Team Working

Patient Focus

Relating to others

Planning and organising

Communication

Reliability

Resilient

Adaptability

Education

Care Certificate

NVQ Level 3 in care or equivalent

Job description

Palliative Care Support Worker (Inpatient Unit)

Job Title: Palliative Care Support Worker Spinal Point Range: 5-6 (Plus, unsocial hours payments see below) Hours: 37.5 hours per week Contract Type: Both Permanent and Fixed Term (12 months) Department: Hospice Care Services Location: St Michaels Hospice, Bartestree Reports to: Hub Team Manager, Sister/Charge Nurse/ Senior Nurse (depending on setting) Job Purpose: In and across all areas of St Michaels provision of Care. To deliver individualised, holistic palliative nursing care to patients and their families in their own homes/inpatient care setting to enhance their quality of life. Care Provision Provide individualised care to the patient and family members under the delegated direction of registered nurses, following care plans and risk assessment. Following appropriate training to undertake a range of clinical care interventions e.g. stoma care. Develop and utilise skills in decision-making to enhance patient care, working in an autonomous environment, where appropriate Perform simple dressing changes following care plan Contribute to clinical and health and safety risk assessments. Using discretion and judgement in emergency situation. Escalate changes in condition of patients/relatives to the nurse on duty. Provide emotional/psychological support to the patient and their family, identifying referrals to the wider hospice services. Ensure patients privacy and dignity are maintained at all times. Maintain a safe environment for both patients and staff Provide final care for the deceased patient Understand the complications/harm e.g. falls, pressure sores etc. that can be caused by patient immobility and contribute to the prevention of such complications. Helping with food preparation, ensuring dietary needs are meet and helping to feed patients when indicated. Provide medication management up to and including tier 3, working within your own personal competency Be aware of the indications for use of syringe drivers Responsible for the timely disposal and documentation of clinical waste and laundry, appropriate to care setting Communication Create and promote a positive image for the organisation. Encourage patients/relatives/carers to express what is important to them to identify their needs, ensure that this information is recorded and informs the care plan. Communicate in a professional and effective manner, with an open and honest approach with internal and external health care professionals, patients, relatives and carers. Recognise own limitations when offering emotional support. Contribute to the bereavement care offered to families, reporting any vulnerabilities to the registered nurse. Maintain patient confidentiality at all times. Promote awareness of child and adult protection issues and hospice policy. Be a team player, following guidelines and policies. Keep accurate records of the care provided. Working inter-professionally within the organisation. Provide volunteers with information to enable them to give appropriate care to patients and their visitors. Encourage user feedback Health and Safety Act at all times to promote the safety and wellbeing of patients, relatives/carers, visitors and volunteers Be aware of patients that are at risk e.g. of falling and ways to prevent falls. Contribute to health and safety risk assessments and actions as required. Follow the incident reporting process. Follow policies of dress code to enable safe practice and ensure infection control is adhered too. Ensure the environment is free from hazards and all nursing equipment is clean, in good working order, safety and appropriately used and stored Safe storage and use of hazardous substances according to COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations. Report faulty equipment to the facilities team using the WAM system Adhere to all of SMH policies and procedures Education Attend mandatory training and service training opportunities. Develop and maintain own knowledge and skills in palliative care. Undertake an appraisal and personal development review annually; considering aspirations for the future with a long-term goal; utilising education facilities offered at the hospice to enhance learning opportunities. Act as a mentor and role model to new staff members.

1. 1) Specialist Knowledge and Experience Essential Experience of delivering hands on care. Experience of dealing with challenging situations Basic IT skills Dependant on care setting, be in possession of a full UK driving licence, be over 21 and have held a full licence for 12 months. Desirable Care Certificate NVQ Level 3 in care or equivalent Experience of delivering hands on care for people requiring palliative care
2. 2) Skills and Behaviours Team Working: Fits in with the team. Develops effective and supportive relationships with colleagues. Is considerate towards them and creates a sense of team spirit. Patient Focus: Puts the patient first, works hard to meet their needs and look after their interests. Relating to others: Quickly builds rapport and easily establishes relationships. Relates well to different types of people, listens and gets on with them. Planning and organising: Organises own time effectively. Prioritises work load. Communication: Speaks clearly, fluently and demonstrates active listening. Reliability: Follows direction from supervisors and respect policies and procedures. Show commitment to the organisation and task completion. Resilient: Remains calm and self-controlled under pressure. Reacts well to change and stays positive despite setbacks. Keeps difficulties in perspective.
3. 3) Special Conditions This post is conditional to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check. Requirement to work evenings, weekends and nights. Dependant on care setting may be prepared to travel throughout county.

Unsocial hours payments:

• Saturdays Payment at basic salary + 33.33%
• Sundays Payment at basic salary + 66.66%
• Bank Holidays Payment at basic salary + 66.66%
• Nights Payment at basic salary + 33.33%

Our values What matters to you is whats important to us To ensure we deliver upon this every day, we empower people to work collaboratively to reach thebest possible decisions, realise them in thebest possible wayand at thebest possible time. We value: Knowledge, judgment, and kindness in reaching thebest possible decisions Courage, integrity, and passion in realising those decisions in thebest possible way Honesty, empathy, and determination in doing so at thebest possible time. Living our values influencesthe way we behave. The way we behave informsthe way we do things. The way we do things is the St Michaels way Equal Opportunities Statement At St Michaels Hospice we are committed to an equal opportunities approach in everything we do …