About this role
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen at Cynthia Spencer Hospice for a Band 3 Health Care Assistant who has an understanding and interest in specialist palliative care.
Working as an effective member of the team, providing care for patients under the supervision of a qualified nurse, promoting good communication that supports the rights of the patients. You will be expected to take on a link role within the service; this will be agreed with the SPC Ward Manager and the senior nursing team. You will be expected to supervise and mentor ward volunteers. There will be occasions when HCA's are required to assist Sisters/Charge Nurses or the Ward Manager with ordering of clinical supplies usually in the absence of the Matron's Assistant. The post holder will be a senior HCA within the service, therefore it is essential they act as a role model within the ward environment and supervise and guide junior HCA's and volunteers.
Please note that sponsorship is not available for any part-time position as it does not meet the UKVI eligibility criteria for a Skilled Worker visa.
Main duties of the job
Experience of working in palliative care whilst an advantage is not essential, as support & training will be provided as part of local induction. Good communication and interpersonal skills are essential for these posts as you will be required to communicate sensitively and compassionately with patients and family.
The hospice provides 24/7 delivery of specialist palliative care to patients of any age over 18 years, with life limiting disease providing care over a 24 hour period. Varying shift patterns includes late and/or early shifts, nights, weekends and bank holiday working. The post you are applying for is based at Cynthia Spencer Hospice, Northampton. The post holder may occasionally be required to work at Cransley Hospice, Kettering, to meet staffing needs.
At NHFT we are proud to offer you a Prepare to Care programme to help you transition into this new role. This includes generic skills and service specific skills to ensure a solid foundation on which to build your career. The Care Certificate will run in conjunction with the Prepare to Care Programme for those who have not already previously attained this qualification.
About us
NHFT is an NHS Community and Mental Health Foundation Trust, providing physical, mental health and specialty services in hospital settings and in the community. We provide over 200 services across the county - as well as some specialist services in bordering and nearby counties. We work together with our partners to ensure that everyone who comes through our doors receives compassionate, person-centred care, regardless of their background or circumstances.
NHFT promotes a culture of learning, to improve the care and safety of our patients and colleagues. We have achieved our 'outstanding' rating by encouraging opportunity, innovation, development and growth across our workforce.
At NHFT we believe that work should be rewarded in every sense which is why we are proud to an accredited living wage employer.
We aim to support financial wellbeing and create an environment where are people feel valued and able to thrive.
Job description Job responsibilities
For further information on the advertised role, please refer to the job description located under the Supporting Documents heading. The full person specification can be accessed under the About You Section of the document.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Educated to GCSE/O Level standard NVQ Level 2 or 3 in a Health Related subject
Desirable
NHS Care Certificate
Experience Essential
Recent healthcare experience Palliative Care experience
Desirable
Experience and knowledge of IT systems Recent NHS experience Experience with supporting patients and families when they are distressed and escalate to nursing staff appropriately
Skills Essential
Ability to supervise, support and role model junior members of the team Excellent organisational skills Ability to take, record and report accurate clinical observations
Desirable
Excellent time management Experience in keeping accurate and up-to-date records i.e. food/fluid and repositioning charts
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 Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust
Address Cynthia Spencer Hospice, Manfield Health Campus,
Kettering Road
Northampton
NN3 6NP
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.nhft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)