Health Care Assistant

Job responsibilities

Main Duties

1. To assist in the reception and admission of new patients and make them welcome to the Day Hospice.

2. To act as an assistant in the delivery of high-quality holistic care to patients, including

2.1. Observing and reporting any significant changes in a patients physical or psychological condition care given and document in care plan

2.2. Assist with patient personal care including bathing and toileting, urinary catheters, ileostomy, and colostomy care.

2.3. Work closely and as directed by the RN in the delivery of home visits to include personal care respite sits and carers support

2.4. Be involved and encourage patients in activities such as art and gentle exercises

2.5. Bringing and using extended skills such as, hand massage and manicures

2.6. Assist and participate in the delivery of virtual day hospice sessions.

2.7. Deliver nursing care as delegated by the RN, including dressing of minor wounds.

2.8. Provide emotional support allowing time for patients and family/carers to talk, using good communication skills.

2.9. Ensure patient area environment and equipment is clean, tidy and in working order.

3. Assist with the preparation and serving of meals and feeding of patients where required. Encourage adequate diet as advised by the registered nurse. To assist patients with meal selection as appropriate to any special dietary requirements

4. Report immediately to the RN on duty any complaints, comments, or requests for information by patients or their visitors

4.1. Answer the telephone, take messages, and refer to the RN on duty for instructions.

4.2. Assist with errands, as requested by the RN on duty.

4.3. Assist in the routine care, cleaning and tidying of nursing equipment.

4.4. Develop knowledge and skills through education by:

4.5. Attending all mandatory training to include BlueStream Academy online training provided by LMT. Complete our extensive in-house competency books

4.6. Attending appropriate in-house and external education sessions, conferences, and seminars.

4.7. Continue to develop your skills and understanding of palliative care Attending appropriate courses.

5. Participating in individual performance review and appraisal giving and receiving feedback about Clinical practice and development needs

6. Follow infection control procedures/policies as appropriate.

7. Attend 6 weekly 1:1s with line manager.

8. Work as a member of the nursing team with supervision from a registered nurse and to contribute to maintaining and developing the Day Hospice as an environment conducive to providing high standards of palliative care in all our centres.

9. Be responsible for providing support to the registered nurses in the provision of care given to patients and their families.

10. The post-holder has no direct budget responsibility but must be aware of cost implications and make effective use of resources.

The above is not an exhaustive list of duties and you may be required to perform additional tasks within the organisation.

Health and Safety

It is the responsibility of all staff to:

• Take reasonable care for the Health and Safety of themselves, colleagues, patients and visitors
• Report (without delay) any accidents, incidents, near-miss events, risks, faults or defects
• Use all work equipment (medical devices, dangerous substances, machinery, transport, means of production, and safety equipment) in accordance with training and instructions provided
• Not use such items or equipment unless they have received appropriate information and training
• Have a good understanding of our MyConcern online safeguarding tool receive training and complete any of the above incidents immediately

Infection Control

It is the responsibility of all staff to:

Take individual responsibility for the prevention of infection

Ensure high level of personal hygiene, hand hygiene in particular

Safeguarding

Lewis Manning Hospice is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all vulnerable adults, children, and young people, by taking all reasonable steps to protect them from harm. All staff will receive appropriate training and induction so that they understand their roles and responsibilities and are confident about carrying them out.

Confidentiality and GDPR

Any matters of a confidential nature, including individual staff records must under no circumstances be divulged or made available to any unauthorised person(s).

Disclosures of confidential information or disclosures of any data of a personal nature can result in prosecution for an offence under the Data Protection Act 1998 and GDPR regulations 2018, or an action for civil damages under the same Act in addition to any disciplinary action taken by the organisation which might include dismissal. You should consult your line manager if you consider that there is a need to breach such confidentiality. You are advised that throughout your employment the organisation will collate information to support performance management.

It is the responsibility of all staff to be aware of their obligations in respect of the Data Protection Act 1998 and the GDPR regulations 2018

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

It is the responsibility of all staff to:

Recognise the importance of peoples rights and act in accordance with legislation, policies and procedures.

Support people who may need assistance enabling them to make best use of their abilities.

Acknowledge and recognise peoples expressed beliefs, preferences and choices, respect diversity, value people as individuals and encourage others to do so.

Promote a can do approach and an open and fair culture throughout the organisation.

Training and Development

All of our employees are provided with training development opportunities.

Performance Review commitment

The organisation is committed to ensuring all staff receive an annual review, participate in the review scheme, and develop, in conjunction with their line manager an agreed personal development plan. All staff are expected to participate in the review scheme.

Our Values:

• We are patient centred
• We listen to what matters
• We are kind
• We are accountable

This is an outline job description and may be subject to change, according to the needs of the service, in consultation with the post holder. It should be taken as the current representation and consequently a job description review will automatically take place as part of the annual appraisal.

This organisation is committed a policy of equal opportunities and is a smoke free working environment.

Experience

Essential

• No formal qualifications required
• A good standard of education
• Previous experience of caring for people

Desirable

• NVQ2/NVQ3
• A willingness to participate in the Care Certificate programme
• Previous experience of looking after patients with life limiting conditions

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Basic IT skills
• Basic nursing and good communication skills
• Knowledge of dying and bereavement
• Basic understanding of the emotional needs of our patients and their families
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication with people
• Good interpersonal skills
• Understand the importance of confidentiality

Desirable

• Computer literate
• Previous experience with SystemOne
• Previous experience of working in patients homes providing social and personal care

Attitudes and values

Essential

• Flexibable and adaptable
• Self-motivated
• Compassionate with an enabling and empowering approach
• Active listening
• Committed to confidentiality and equal opportunities
• Understand the importance of What Matters
• Team worker
• Committed to self-development and learning
• Commitment to excellent person-centred care
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Willingness to learn
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to show initiative

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).