Weldmar at Home Healthcare Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Weldmar at Home Team Leader or Deputy Team Leader, the Health Care Assistant (HCA) will be allocated patients with a plan of care that has been designed and tailored for the patient and those important to them depending on their individual needs and circumstances.

The HCA will provide both hands on practical care and emotional support to patients and their families or carers.

The role requires flexibility of working, in accordance with service needs and in order to meet the changing needs of patients. Day, night and weekend shifts will be required to provide a 24 hr service.

Scope and Limits of Authority

To demonstrate respect at all times for the patient and families home lifestyles and act with the upmost integrity as an invited guest into that persons private environment. To ensure that any interventions do not adversely impact on the patients preferences, choices, right to autonomy and self-determination.

To work closely with the Weldmar at Home Team Leader and Deputy Team Leader, Weldmar Community Nurses and other members of the Weldmar multi-disciplinary team, and with colleagues from external agencies also caring for the patient.

To adhere to the patients plan of care at all times whilst reporting any concerns about that plan to the Weldmar at Home Team Leader.

To recognise difficult or unexpected situations that require additional or qualified assistance, know who and how to contact in an emergency e.g. safeguarding, etc. referring on as necessary.

Job tasks

To provide high standards of care to the patient and family following an agreed nursing care plan, including practical care and emotional support.

To respect patient autonomy, beliefs and values, and maintain patient confidentiality and dignity at all times.

To apply knowledge and understanding of patients individual needs in a non-judgmental and caring way.

To act as a listener for patients and carers, and enable them to say what is important to them.

To communicate sensitive information in a form that is understandable to patients and their carers.

To prompt patients with prescribed oral medication where the patient is self-administering their medicines.

To clearly record all care as required, including in our electronic patient record system.

To have the ability, knowledge and skills required for the safe moving and handling of patients and for the safe use of any equipment, adaptation or aid.

To identify any element of risk and ensure that risk is managed appropriately under the direction of the Weldmar at Home Team Leader.

To work closely with the Weldmar at Home Team Leader, Deputy Team Leader and Administrator to contribute to the provision of continuity and coordinated, planned care.

To report any accidents or incidents that might happen to the patient, relative or member of staff during a course of duty, in accordance with Weldmar Policies.

To provide direct care to patients after their death in accordance with their personal wishes, enabling families to participate in that final act of care giving if they wish too. To provide immediate emotional bereavement support to relatives and carers and to enable access to Weldmar or other bereavement support services if required.

To attend relevant mandatory and professional development training provided by Weldmar Hospicecare.

To regularly attend and participate in supervision and support meetings.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Qualifications and Knowledge & Experience
• NVQ Level 2-3 or higher in care or from a relevant role.
• A minimum of 2 years working experience of direct care giving in a similar role is essential, and experience of delivering care at end of life is desirable.
• Knowledge of palliative care would be advantageous.
• Able to work independently in the patients own home.
• Good awareness of own limitations, and able to recognize the need to ask for assistance and for onward referral.
• Commitment to developing skills and knowledge of the care of the dying person and family.

Other Requirements

Essential

• Commitment to the values and ethos of Weldmar Hospicecare
• Act as an advocate and ambassador for the Charity
• Commitment to and understanding of equality and diversity and how this translates into good practice
• Understands and conforms to Weldmar Hospicecare infection prevention and health and safety policies and actively promotes best practice at all times.
• Commitment to own continued professional and personal development
• Ability to travel which requires a full valid driving licence and business insurance (if applicable)

Experience

Essential

• Skilled at working with people providing intimate and personal care to them in a respectful and dignified manner.
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to build trusting relationships enabling effective communication with patients and carers
• Show empathy and present a calm, courteous and compassionate manner.
• Ability to follow plans of care and taking direction from the Weldmar at Home Team Leader
• Ability to work autonomously and safely in a persons home
• Able to demonstrate an understanding of the importance of boundaries in relationships with patients and their families.
• Ability to work unsupervised as a lone worker as needed and the ability to work as a supportive team member.
• Able to demonstrate self-care and emotional resilience including access to clinical supervision, line management, and Weldmars suite of Wellbeing Supports.
• Committed to self-development.
• Flexible shift patterns to include night shifts and weekends.
• Post holders must hold a driving license with appropriate business insurance, have access to a car and be prepared to travel.
• Must be IT literate and confident, and be able to use a number of IT systems and Weldmar databases.

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

Weldmar Hospicecare

Address

Herringston Road

Dorchester

Dorset

DT1 2SL

Employer's website

https://www.weld-hospice.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)