About this role
Job summary
This role matters:
We are looking for a Senior Healthcare Assistant (Nights) who is compassionate, calm and committed to making a difference to patients and their loved ones during some of the most difficult moments in their lives. This is a unique and rewarding role, providing care, comfort and reassurance through the night in patient's own homes.
Our Hospice nightsitting service is a vital part of the care we provide across North Lancashire and the South Lakes. Working overnight in patients own homes, you will provide autonomous high-quality care to patients who wish to remain at home at the end of life, offering peace of mind to them and their loved ones.
You will stay with patients throughout the night, ensuring they are safe and comfortable, while monitoring their condition and responding to any changes. You will also provide emotional support and companionship, enabling family carers to rest and recharge knowing their loved ones are being cared for.
As part of our Hospice at Home palliative care provision, you will work independently, supported by local out of hours GP services, district nursing teams and experienced Hospice colleagues, to deliver high quality, person centred care where and when it matters most.
If you are looking to take on a role where every day you can see the difference you have made to peoples lives, come and join us.
Informal enquiries are welcome, please get in touch.
Main duties of the job
JOB PURPOSE
As a Healthcare Assistant, working to the standards set out in the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers, you will provide overnight support for patients, with life limiting conditions, in their own homes giving vital overnight respite for carers across the North Lancashire and South Lakes locality. The Night Sitting Service enables patients to remain in their own homes towards the end of life.
Key role information >>
This role is for 23.75 hour per week, working 5 nights over a fortnightly rota. Hours include being in the patients home from 9.45pm - 6.45am (9 hours), plus 15 mins travel time and 15 mins reading time (to be completed before arriving at the patients home). This is a waking night-sit service. You will also receive a £15 night allowance for each night worked. Hospice at Home serves the whole of North Lancashire, South Lakeland, Cumbria and includes parts of North Yorkshire, and visits may be anywhere in this catchment area. It is essential you hold a full UK driving license and have access to a vehicle during working hours. You will be entitled to claim out of pocket expenses (mileage and parking) in accordance with our policy.
About us
St John's Hospice is a well established and respected local charity, and we offer free palliative care to patients with life shortening conditions both in our inpatient unit and through our Community Services (Hospice at Home).
The majority of the people who St Johns cares for are looked after in their own home, in the community. Many people choose to spend their last weeks or days at home, and our community team are there to support them.
The Community team is made up of Clinical Nurse Specialists, who are experts in pain and symptom management and advance care planning; the Hospice at Home team who support patients and their families in the last few weeks of life and the Respite team who provide day respite and night sits for the family who are caring for their loved ones at home in those last few weeks.
Our Hospice at Home service is led by an experienced and supportive Management Team. Our patients are at the heart of everything we do, and you would play a key role in a person's wish to stay, and be cared for in their own home, providing crucial overnight respite care for them and their loved ones.
With close working relationships with the Inpatient Unit, CNS team, MDT and the area's District Nurses, the Hospice at Home team is a valued and well respected service in the local community.
St John's Hospice is rated as CQC Good.
Job description Job responsibilities
Accountable To: Director of Nursing & Quality
Reports To: Head of Hospice at Home
MAIN DUTIES
Undertake a broad range of nursing support activities and duties relating to the care of patients with end of life care needs in their own homes. Provide care for named patients with end of life care needs usually in their own homes in accordance with the patients care plan as defined by the Hospice at Home senior nurse, with minimum direct supervision. Establishes and maintains effective communications with patients, carers and health professionals in a professional manner. Is alert to, and recognises changes in patients symptoms and conditions and notifies other health care professionals as necessary Assists patients with administration of regular oral medication where the patient is self-medicating In line with Hospice policy monitors the administration of medication via syringe drivers and undertakes first line troubleshooting in line with proven competence. In line with Hospice policies on patient documentation, updates patient records ensuring entries are accurate, relevant and contemporaneous and hand over care given appropriately Provides emotional and practical support to patients carers or family members Demonstrates safe and appropriate use of hoists and manual handling equipment. When appropriate cares for the patient after death and supports family members/ carers Undertakes delegated clinical tasks and procedures linked to the Hospice at Home Healthcare Assistant Competences Participates in audits, surveys or other clinical governance activities as requested Uses resources economically and efficiently. Maintains IT competency in order to make full use of electronic communications and to access appropriate hospice data sources and training opportunities. Contributes to the health, safety and well-being of patients, carers and self by being aware of and adhering to hospice policies and guidelines on Health and Safety at Work; Fire Precautions and Regulations; Security of Lone Worker; and Infection Control. Undertakes training and demonstrates competence in a range of nursing activities and tasks in support of patient care Maintains a portfolio of professional development and participates in the St Johns Hospice performance appraisal scheme, identifying personal achievements, objectives and development needs. Has an understanding of the philosophy and ethos behind the care provided at St Johns Hospice, and to assist the registered nurses in developing and maintaining a safe, caring and supportive environment for patients, relatives and staff. Shares the responsibility within the nursing teams for delivering high quality holistic nursing care for the patients and their families. Is part of the multi-disciplinary care of patients. Acts in a responsible, professional manner at all times whilst employed by and undertaking duties at St Johns Hospice. To be aware of the policies governing health, safety and fire prevention and reporting accidents/incidents.
General :In addition to the specific duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description, all employees should be aware of their specific responsibilities towards the following:
St Johns Hospice operates a no-smoking policy. The post holder should either be a non-smoker or be prepared not to smoke in any Charity premises, grounds or vehicles or when on Hospice business outside the office. Adhere to all health, safety and fire regulations and to co-operate with the Hospice in maintaining good standards of health and safety. Adhere to Lone Worker working practices as set out in the relevant policy documents. Uphold ethical and professional standards and not behave in a manner that is likely to bring the Hospice into disrepute. Promote and sustain a responsible attitude towards equal opportunities and diversity within the Hospice. Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing registration requirements or any national, professional or occupational standards associated with the role. Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing learning and development and to participate in any training relevant to the role. This job description is not exhaustive. It merely acts as a guide and may be amended to meet the changing requirements of the charity at any time after discussion with the post holder.
The post-holder will be expected to participate in induction and on-going training and development and work in accordance with Hospice policies and procedures and to act at all times with due regard to the health and safety of self and others.
This role description is not intended to be definitive or restrictive and may be subject to review and amendment.
STANDARD/ENHANCED DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT
Enhanced DBS disclosure + Adult Barring Check required for this post.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO ST. JOHNS HOSPICE
Please refer to the uploaded Job description for full details of the points below
1. Confidentiality
2. Health and Safety
3. External Interests
4. Statutory Training
5. Flexibility
6. Safeguarding
7. Disclosure and Barring
8. Equality and Inclusion
9. Volunteers
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Willing to work towards satisfactory completion of Care Certificate & Hospice competency framework for HCAs Full UK Driving Licence
Desirable
NVQ 3 Completed the Care Certificate
Experience Essential
Recent experience of patient care at end of life Experience of working in the community setting Experience of working as part of a wider team
Desirable
Experience of working in a specialist palliative care setting Experience of lone working
Knowledge and Skills Essential
Knowledge of holistic patient care for those at end of life Ability to respond to changes in patient conditions Good Communication & interpersonal skills Knowledge of prioritising a patients care needs Ability to work without direct supervision in a patients home Uses own initiative Good IT skills and able to use a range of software (e.g. Word, Outlook, Excel etc). Accurately document care given in patient documentation Communicates well with information about care to carers and families
Values and personal attributes Essential
Willingness to work flexibly, including unsocial hours Positive attitude Motivated Committed to self -development Mature and responsible attitude Empathy and understanding
Miscellaneous Essential
Full UK driving licence (manual transmission). Access to own vehicle during working hours (business use insurance required).
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 John's Hospice
Address Slyne Road
Lancaster
LA2 6ST
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.sjhospice.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)