About this role
Job summary
Are you a caring and compassionate individual who wants to make a real difference in the lives of people with life-limiting illnesses? Do you have experience working in a healthcare setting and a passion for delivering person-centred care?
We're looking for dedicated Healthcare Assistants to join our inpatient ward team at St Peter & St James Hospice. In this rewarding role, you'll support Registered Nurses in delivering high-quality, individualised palliative care to patients and those important to them, helping to ensure comfort, dignity, and wellbeing throughout their hospice journey.
Main duties of the job
What you'll do:
Provide high-quality personal care to patients under the guidance of Registered Nurses Support the delivery of individualised, patient-centred palliative care Monitor and report changes in patients' conditions to the nursing team.
Assist patients with meals, nutrition, hydration and mobility needs Undertake extended Healthcare Assistant duties, when assessed as competent, under appropriate supervision Maintain accurate patient records and contribute to care evaluations.
Provide emotional support to patients and those important to them during challenging times.
Help maintain a safe, clean and supportive ward environment Work collaboratively as part of the wider multidisciplinary team.
About us
St Peter & St James Hospice is a leading provider of specialist palliative and end of life care for our Mid-Sussex community.
People affected by life-limiting illness are central to everything we do and it is our mission to ensure they receive the best possible care, in the right place, at the right time.
Our services are free of charge and can be accessed at home, in a care setting, or at the Hospice in North Chailey.
We achieve our goals through the organisations talented people, by attracting, retaining and developing a highly skilled, diverse and engaged workforce.
Over 150 employees and 400 volunteers work in a variety of roles across our Clinical Services, Retail and Support Functions. If you're looking to put your skills to use in an organisation that makes a difference for its local community and values compassion, collaboration and empowerment then click 'Apply Now'!
Job description Job responsibilities
Work collaboratively with Registered Nurses in planning the delivery of quality holistic nursing care for patients.
Provide individualised patient-centred personal care to patients in the Hospice, under the guidance of Registered Nurses.
To be responsive and available to the patients needs as appropriate.
Report changes in condition noticed in patients and work with the multi-professional team to adapt care appropriately.
When working without direct supervision, know how to responsibly report any concerns or changes about the patient's condition in a timely manner.
Undertake extended healthcare assistant roles when assessed as competent, under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. This may include taking observations and basic catheter care.
Ensure the patients dietary needs are evaluated and met by helping patients with their meal choices, issuing meals and feeding patients as appropriate.
Support the use of mobility equipment if necessary and practice its safe use with the patient (e.g. walking frames, leg lifters).
Contribute to the keeping of accurate and relevant records by recording and evaluating the care provided.
Care for the deceased patient by administering last offices in line with Hospice policy and ensuring the safe and timely removal of the body from the hospice.
Work to ensure that clinical areas are well maintained and comply with health and safety regulations, ensuring the safe use of equipment and storage of materials.
Develop and maintain effective communications with patients and those important to them, in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture.
Contribute to emotional support for patients and/or carers, particularly during admission, breaking of bad news and time of death and bereavement, recognising own limitations and referring to the Registered Nurses as appropriate.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
N/A
Desirable
Evidence of level 2 Apprenticeship or Diploma in a Health-related subject. Willingness to study for Care Certificate/NVQ Level 2 or 3 and/or undertake further education in palliative care / attend study days.
Experience Essential
Experience working as part of a large team in a healthcare setting. Confidence in use of IT and able to demonstrate good literacy and numeracy skills. Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills and good command of spoken English (assessed at interview). Understanding of the confidentiality of information about patients, staff and other health service business and requirements of the Data Protection Act (2018) and General Data Protection Regulation (2018).
Desirable
Understanding of the Code of Conduct for Health Care Support Workers and Adult Social Care Workers in England.
Qualifications Essential
Motivation to develop knowledge and skills and to undertake self-development. Ability to use your own initiative, prioritise workload and respond to changing situations. Ability to identify personal coping strategies to deal with sensitive issues.
Desirable
N/A
Personal Qualities Essential
Ability to use your own initiative, prioritise workload and respond to changing situations Ability to identify personal coping strategies to deal with sensitive issues. Access to own transport to get to and from hospice due to rural location.
Desirable
Able to demonstrate a good insight into palliative care principles and philosophy.
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.
Employer details Employer name St Peter & St James Hospice
Address North Common Road
North Chailey
Lewes
East Sussex
BN8 4ED
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://stpjhospice.org/ (Opens in a new tab)