Therapy Assistant - Bathing Service

East Lancashire Hospice

The closing date is 10 May 2025

Job summary

An exciting opportunity is available due to the success of our therapeutic bathing service and the benefits it brings for those with life-limiting illness and associated limitations. With substantial experience of working within a practical caring role, well-developed communication skills and an abundance of compassion, humour and sensitivity, you will manage an identified caseload and provide tailored bathing support specific to the needs of each individual. As part of the wider hospice team, you will contribute to the delivery of the hospice strategy and values. Whilst primarily working within the bathing service you may be required to work across clinical departments to meet patient need and support your own development.

Main duties of the job

You will have the creativity, flexibility and commitment to deliver a high-quality, positive service to our patients and their families and be able to adapt quickly to their changing circumstances . You will have experience of working with individuals with life limiting illness, a good standard of education, and will ideally have achieved the Care Certificate and be educated to the equivalent of NVQ Level 3 in a related field.

Please see attached Job Description for further information.

About us

East Lancashire Hospice is a registered charity, founded in 1984. We support and care for patients with a life limiting illness, their families and others close to them. We provide this in a number of ways; at the hospice and in peoples own homes across our community of Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley.

With approximately 120 employees and over 250 volunteers, our people are our biggest asset whom we value tremendously. Our services to the local community would not be possible without our motivated and caring workforce who always strive to deliver excellence in all that they do. The hospice is a unique and special place, kindness and compassion are qualities that run throughout the hospice and our people truly believe in what we do.

Date posted

25 April 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£13,104 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

B0068-25-0014

Job locations

Park Lee Road

Blackburn

BB2 3NY

Job description

Job responsibilities

Facilitate access to our bathing service providing a therapeutic experience that benefits patients physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

Manage an identified bathing caseload and maintain a robust diary system to maximise use of available facilities and resources.

Collaborate with hospice registered nurses to ensure a robust assessment is undertaken and incorporates assessment of home-based facilities for bathing/showering and the safety considerations required for the delivery of the bathing service.

Actively contribute to the planning, delivery and evaluation of individualised therapeutic bathing support that enhances health and wellbeing outcomes and consistently seek to understand changing needs and preferences to ensure an individualised bathing experience.

Undertake dynamic risk assessment at each intervention adapting the plan and/or accessing additional support as necessary.

Maintain the privacy and dignity of each patient

Utilise excellent communication skills using empathy, tact, sensitivity and discretion when working with palliative patients who may be distressed at times.

Create an ambiance tailored to individual preferences through the use of sound, lighting, toiletries etc.

Actively engage with patients to identify and achieve their priorities and goals, supporting meaningful activity that enhances quality of life and promotes autonomy and independence.

Maintain accurate written records and provide verbal feedback that is timely, focused and objective including changes/deterioration in a persons condition and/or concerns for family/carers.

Provide physical care for patients as necessary for example assisting people to access toilet facilities and supporting personal care needs during the hospice visit

Contribute to information collection to meet national minimum data set requirements, organisational reporting, local and national audit, as well as other evaluation programmes.

Where required, work across hospice departments and support the delivery of therapeutic activity including that prescribed by registered practitioners for example nurses, physiotherapist.

Maintain a robust awareness of wider hospice provision and support services and signpost where appropriate to achieve best outcomes for patients.