About this role
Job summary
Working at Severn Hospice you are given the time to care and were looking for compassionate and committed Healthcare Assistants to join our community nursing team.
With your friendly, empathetic and professional approach, you will be delivering person-centred, holistic care, supporting patients with complex and evolving needs, enabling them to remain safely at home where this is their preferred choice.
As a valued member of our skilled and caring team, you will contribute to a range of services including home-based care, coffee mornings and supporting outpatient clinics.
Caring is what we do best - and that includes caring for our staff. You will work in a friendly, fulfilling and supportive environment, with access to clinical supervision, strong peer support and a culture that values compassion, respect and excellence.
We are also committed to your development, offering excellent professional and personal learning opportunities via our on-site Skills Lab and education team.
Whether you are newly qualified and eager to build a strong foundation for your career, or an experienced carer looking for a new and rewarding opportunity, wed love to hear from you.
Please note, this vacancy may close early depending on volume of applications.
Main duties of the job
Make a positive contribution to excellent communications across the whole organisation, ensuring effective communication both internally and externally
Ensure that corporate values of the Hospice are actively promoted and followed at all times
Troubleshoot issues or problems with team members, referring concerns to appropriate level when necessary
To provide basic nursing care and, in addition, interventions deemed appropriate and supported by training.
To be flexible and understanding to the needs of the patient and their family/carers.
To liaise with senior staff after each encounter to update them about the patients condition.
To have an understanding of and be able to work within the philosophy of palliative and terminal care.
To work in close liaison with all professionals, including the community and Primary Health Care Team.
At all times maintain confidentiality concerning patients, relatives/carers, and other staff.
Ensuring the holistic physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual, and social needs of patients and their families, carers are met.
Ensuring that clear, precise documentation is carried out at all times about patient care.
Be trained in verification of death
About us
Caring is what we do best - and that includes caring for our staff. You will work in a friendly, fulfilling and supportive environment, with access to clinical supervision, strong peer support and a culture that values compassion, respect and excellence.
Whether you are newly qualified and eager to build a strong foundation for your career, or an experienced carer looking for a new and rewarding opportunity, we'd love to hear from you.
*Please note at this time we are unable to offer Sponsorship*
At Severn Hospice we offer
We offer a competitive salary and a wide range of benefits including:
Excellent professional and personal development opportunities with our on-site Skills Lab and Education team High inpatient staff to patient ratio Continuation of NHS pension scheme Free on-site parking Health and wellbeing support framework Clinical supervision Generous annual leave entitlement Death in service Blue Light Card discount scheme Use of hospice canteens
Job description Job responsibilities
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES
To support the trained members of the nursing team in the implementation of individualised care programmes for patients comfort, safety and dignity at all times (e.g. checking drugs with trained members of staff/working within current risk assessments for individual patients)
To perform designated nursing tasks when deemed competent theoretically and practically by a qualified nurse with the Mentor qualification, as part of a planned programme of care (e.g. changing dressings, catheters, observing and documenting, testing urine, care of people using prescribed oxygen).
To report to the Ward Sister/ Ward Manager as appropriate for any changes in patients condition or relevant information pertinent to patient care (e.g. dietary requirements).
To monitor and record observations (e.g. Temperature, Pulse, Respiration, Blood Sugar and Blood Pressure) on completion of relevant competency training.
To second check CD administration if training and competency achieved (within inpatient environment).
To record information on care given in patient held records and other documentation to comply with legal and professional requirements.
To maintain confidentiality at all times.
To comply with all appropriate policies and clinical practices and protocols.
To attend such courses/lectures/in-service training as indicated by needs of the service and own personal developments.
To give verbal handovers to other members of the team, including volunteers.
To escort patients to hospital appointments or transfer to another place or home.
Assisting to carry out personal care after death incorporating family members if that is their wish.
GENERAL
1. To have an understanding of the role of other professionals involved in the patients care and provide support to them.
2. To work collaboratively alongside volunteers on a day-to-day basis. To give support, guidance and instruction to the volunteer team member(s) as and when required, incorporating handover at commencement of session.
3. To give practical support to relatives/carers/visitors.
4. At all times to act as ambassador for Severn Hospice to patients, relatives, to colleagues and members of the public.
5. To support the process of audit in an active way. Attending meetings and making a contribution.
6. To comply with Health and Safety policy and fire regulations and to report accidents/incidents/potential risks immediately to a Senior Nurse.
7. To abide by security procedures relating to staff, patients, visitors and their property.
8. Promote and incorporate equality and diversity in all aspects of the teams operations and in the public domain
9. To work flexibly across the organisation including rotation to all shifts (as appropriate) and through all departments as required to support the delivery of nursing care within the Hospice.
The above job description is a summary of the main responsibilities of the postholder, and not an exhaustive list of duties to be undertaken. The duties may be redefined in accordance with the demands of the service. Any redefinition will be subject to discussion between yourself and your manager and be within your level of competence.
Supplementary Information and Requirements
All new Hospice employees are on a 4 month probationary period (excluding bank)
A DBS Disclosure will be requested in the event of an individual being offered the post.
Health and Safety
In accordance with the Hospices Health & Safety Policy all employed persons while at work are required by Section 7 of the Health & Safety at Work Act to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.
Appraisal
Employees are required to participate in the Hospices appraisal process as required.
Person Specification
Aptitudes & Attributes Required Essential
Calm and reassuring manner Able to take instruction and document events during shift Sensitive Emotionally strong Good sense of humour
Qualifications Essential
GCSE or equivalent Willingness to undertake relevant training
Desirable
NVQ level 3 in health care
Other Requirements Essential
DBS disclosure Prepared to work flexible hours Willingness to undergo further training as required Car owner / driver Willing to travel within a 25 mile radius
Skills & Knowledge Essential
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills Basic nursing skills Good listening skill IT skills
Desirable
Examples of extended practice / skill set Understanding of palliative care philosophy
Experience Essential
Experience in palliative care Experience in community care Working within or in partnership with multi-professional team
Desirable
Experience working in more than one type of care settings e.g. hospice, hospital, care home and within a patients home Experience in care work which includes care for people at end of life
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 Severn Hospice
Address Bicton Heath
Shrewsbury
Shropshire
SY3 8HS
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.severnhospice.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)