About this role
Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Health Care Assistant to join our team on the Inpatient Unit. Were looking individuals with NVQ Level 3 and previous experience working as a healthcare assistant. You must also be, enthusiastic, flexible, and have a passion for palliative and end of life care, have excellent communication skills and be a good team player. Leading by example and being an excellent role model are key qualities required for this position.
You will have access to a range of training and development opportunities and be welcomed as a valued member of an experienced and supportive team.
To undertake skilled nursing activities for which training will be provided, and competency assessment has been assessed and achieved.
Candidates must have the right to work in the UK. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
St. Michaels Hospice is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults, children and young people. All staff are expected to share this commitment. Successful candidates will be required to undergo relevant background checks, including a DBS check and provide satisfactory reference before starting the role.
Closing date - 22nd May 2026
Interview - 02 June 2026
Main duties of the job
The successful applicant will be part of a multi-disciplinary team, working under the direction of a registered nurse, delivering high quality, holistic patient care to patients and families accessing our Inpatient Unit. As a Senior Health Care Assistant at St. Michaels, you will have access to a range of training and development opportunities and be welcomed as a valued member of an experienced and supportive team.
To work collaboratively with the nursing team to deliver high-quality care to patients on the inpatient unit. To assist patients with activities of daily living, including personal hygiene, feeding and mobility. To monitor and report changes in patient condition, escalating concerns to senior staff as appropriate. To contribute to the development and implementation of care plans, ensuring that they are regularly reviewed and updated. To provide emotional and spiritual support to patients and their families, always promoting dignity and respect. Mentoring new Healthcare Assistants To maintain accurate and up-to-date patient records, adhering to confidentiality and data protection regulations. Additional tasks as agreed with IPU Lead e.g. audits and other projects as required To adhere to all health and safety policies and procedures, ensuring a safe environment for patients, staff and visitors. Understand and promote infection control practices and policies.
About us
St. Michaels Hospice is a registered charity providing specialist palliative and end of life care services since 1992, for the people of North Hampshire. We are dedicated to providing care to people throughout North Hampshire who are affected by life limiting illness to attain the highest possible quality of life by providing a choice of specialist care and support.
As a charity, we depend on the kindness and support of our local community to continue offering our services free of charge. This care is made possible by supporters donating, taking part in fundraising events and activities, playing our lottery, shopping in our retail outlets, leaving gifts in their Wills or giving freely of their time to volunteer.
We offer a competitive salary with attractive benefits, including, free onsite parking, life assurance, 27 days annual leave, with service increments, plus bank holidays, and an extensive health and wellbeing plan and contributory pension.
Job description Job responsibilities
As a SMH Band 3 Healthcare Assistant, you will be responsible for providing compassionate and high-quality care to patients on the inpatient unit. You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team to deliver person-centred care, supporting patients and their families to manage their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs during their stay.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Clinical
To work collaboratively with the nursing team to deliver high-quality care to patients on the inpatient unit.
To assist patients with activities of daily living, including personal hygiene, feeding and mobility.
To monitor and report changes in patient condition, escalating concerns to senior staff as appropriate.
To contribute to the development and implementation of care plans, ensuring that they are regularly reviewed and updated.
To provide emotional and spiritual support to patients and their families, always promoting dignity and respect.
Mentoring new Healthcare Assistants
To maintain accurate and up-to-date patient records, adhering to confidentiality and data protection regulations.
Additional tasks as agreed with IPU Lead e.g. audits and other projects as required
To adhere to all health and safety policies and procedures, ensuring a safe environment for patients, staff and visitors.
Understand and promote infection control practices and policies.
To undertake skilled nursing activities for which training will be provided and competency assessment has been assessed and achieved. Such as:
Vital signs observations
Insertion and removal of urinary catheters
Insertion and removal of intravenous cannulas
Assist in reporting care and transfer of continuing care between shifts
Perform ECGs and basic rhythm recognition if required
Take an active role in the facilitation and education of other Healthcare Assistants
Venepuncture for routine blood tests
Blood glucose monitoring
Urinalysis
Care for the persons body after death
To guide and assist other support workers in the delivery of basic nursing care.
Learning and Development
Positively commit to annual staff appraisals and regular performance / competencies reviews to ensure personal professional development.
Participate in educational programmes and specifically attend teaching identified to meet your development aims and objectives.
Support teaching students on practical placements.
Engage in reflective practice and assessment of professional competencies.
To participate in mandatory training and continuous professional development activities, ensuring that knowledge and skills are kept up to date.
Professional
Work to maintain the values, vision and aims of St. Michaels Hospice.
Practice and always promote patient confidentiality.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation.
Practice safely, within hospice policies, procedures and guidelines.
Demonstrate efficient time management and flexible attitude to working patterns.
Participate in agreed methods of off duty rota, working flexibly to provide a 24-hour, 7 day a week service for patients.
Work within the limits of your own competency and responsibility and refer areas that are outside of your competency to a registered nurse.
To complete competencies related to this role, recorded in the competency document
Treat everyone with respect and dignity.
To report any feedback, concerns and complaints, issues around safeguarding from patients, their relatives, or others acting on their behalf.
Ensure all safeguarding concerns are raised in line with SMH policy and escalated to the SMH Nominated Healthcare Professional for Safeguarding or their deputy or a member of the Safeguarding Committee.
Communication
Communicate effectively within your team, and the wider Multi-Disciplinary Team, the care needs of the patients and families within your workload.
Supports patients and family members to foundation level 1 psychological support (NICE approved four-tier model of psychological support)
Communicate respectfully in an open, accurate, straightforward and confidential way with colleagues across the organisation.
Verbally alert the nurse in charge to any urgent, sensitive matters, or matters outside your role and competency or escalate to the appropriate level, if appropriate.
Proactively share information to identify and reduce risk to patients and staff.
General Responsibilities
Work to maintain the values, vision and aims of St. Michaels Hospice.
Additional Duties In discussion with the line manager to undertake work, as and when required, in support of St. Michaels Hospice as an organisation.
Public Relations To represent St. Michaels Hospice in the community and public domain, including social media, appropriately.
Undertake all statutory and mandatory training, as required.
To be conversant with and adhere to all St. Michaels Hospice Policies and Procedures.
Be responsible for upholding and promoting St. Michaels Hospice safeguarding policies, ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals, and promptly reporting any concerns or incidents in accordance with established procedures.
This is an outline job description and may be subject to change, according to the needs of the service, in consultation with the post holder.
Take responsibility for own personal safety and of others whilst at work. You will take appropriate action or report any concerns to address any health and safety issues that you or members of your team may be aware of.
This job description is an outline of the role and responsibilities. From time to time, due to the needs of the service, we may ask you to flexibly undertake other duties that are consistent with your role and banding, including project work, internal job rotation and absence cover.
Person Specification
Skills, Knowledge, Abilities Essential
Good verbal and written communication skills Basic IT skills Able to take initiative Be able to reflect upon knowledge and skills Able to encourage and enhance performance in others Able to undertake full internal rotation of shifts Ability to measure and record blood pressure, oxygen saturation, temperature, pulse and monitor fluid balance and show an understanding of these measurements. Escalate when necessary. Blood glucose monitoring
Desirable
Working knowledge of NHS supply system Insertion and removal of urinary catheters Insertion and removal of intravenous cannulas Perform ECGs and basic rhythm recognition if required Venepuncture for routine blood tests
Qualifications Essential
Care Certificate NVQ level 3 qualification (or currently working towards it)
Desirable
Course in Palliative and end of life care
Experience Essential
Experience of working in health care environment Experience of working effectively in a multi-disciplinary team Understanding of the nature of palliative care Understanding and the ability to contribute to the assessment of patient needs and evaluation of care interventions and delivery. Experience of supporting new members of staff
Desirable
Experience of working with end of life patients in a generalist or an acute environment
Attitude, aptitudes, personal characteristics Essential
Demonstrate a flexible and adaptable approach Able to work (autonomously) and in a team Effective time management Respectful and supportive of all colleagues Professional, friendly and positive nature Able to act as a positive role model and ability to mentor other healthcare assistants in the role.
Other requirements Essential
Be physically able to undertake all duties and responsibilities
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name St Michael's Hospice (North Hampshire)
Address Basil de Ferranti House
Aldermaston Road
Basingstoke
Hampshire
RG24 9NB
Employer's website https://www.stmichaelshospice.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)