About this role
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Health Care Assistant to join the specialist palliative care team working both within the community under hospice at home and the inpatient ward at the Macmillan Unit and Forest Holme. We provide palliative and End of Life Care to patients with life limiting disease. The successful candidate would need to be compassionate and demonstrate a keen interest in Palliative care. They would also demonstrate the ability to provide a high standard of quality care to our patients. The candidate needs to have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to work flexible hours. Previous NHS experience of working in a care environment is essential.
You will need to drive and have access to a car for this role.
The role covers shift work 7 days a week 24 hours a day.
Please note we are unable to offer sponsorship for this position.
New starters to the trust will have to undertake a numeracy and literacy test.
This post is being advertised as a Band 3, however applicants that do not meet the required care certificate competencies will initially be employed as a Band 2. Applicants who hold a care certificate accreditation will start in post at Band 3
Base Location: Christchurch Hospital / Forest Holme
Interview Date: Week commencing on 28-SEP-2026
This post may close early due to high numbers of applications, so you are advised to apply promptly.
Main duties of the job
To understand the role in more detail please read the full job description and person specification documents which are attached to this advert.
About us
Our values define who we are as #TeamUHD. They underpin everything we do now and in the future. They define how we treat our patients, visitors, and each other, our valued team mates and colleagues.
If a role or service relocates as part of a planned move, excess mileage will not be reimbursed. Travel from home to the new work base will be classed as a normal commute. Any other changes will be managed under Trust or national terms and conditions.
Job description Job responsibilities
To understand the role in more detail please read the full job description and person specification documents which are attached to this advert.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Good standard of general education
Desirable
NVQ2/NVQ3
Experience Essential
Life Experience Previous experience of caring for people.
Desirable
Previous experience of looking after cancer or terminally ill patients. Previous experience in nursing in the NHS
Technical Skills Competencies Essential
Basic Nursing skills & Good communication skills Ability to complete paperwork accurately with required information. Ability to establish & maintain effective communication with people Good interpersonal skills Able to work within a stressful environment Participate within the learning environment Understanding of the importance of confidentiality Drive and have access to a car for work
Desirable
Computer literate
Knowledge Essential
Good level of nursing care Knowledge of dying or bereavement. Basic understanding of the emotional needs of patients and their families
Interpersonal skills Essential
Good interpersonal skills including empathy and open minded approach to patients Sensitivity to the needs of others Emotionally able to work within the field of palliative care
Desirable
Able to understand the importance of boundaries in relationships with patients and their families
Other requirements specific to Essential
Willingness to and interest in acquiring new skills Ability to work in a demanding environment
Personal Attributes Essential
Ability to show initiative + prioritize work efficiently Motivated Ability to work as a part of the team. Ability to travel within the geographical areas as required by the service/requirements of the post. Ability to work flexible hours.
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 University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
Address Christchurch Hospital
Fairmile Road
Christchurch
BH23 2JX
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.uhd.nhs.uk/careers (Opens in a new tab)