Job summary
We have an
exciting opportunity for enthusiastic, flexible and committed Healthcare
Assistants to join our friendly specialist team with Jigsaw, our childrens
hospice.
Based in
Carlisle, we are a 5 bedded childrens hospice, with an attached 10-bed adult inpatient
unit and outreach and wellbeing services.
We provide day
to day care, support and activities to children and young people living with a
life limiting illness, complex needs and palliative care, including end of life
care.
Our care is
provided in a home from home setting and each young persons care is
personalised towards their own needs.
Main duties of the job
We are looking
for enthusiastic and highly motivated people, who have a passion for working
with children, along with the skills and ability to assist and participate in
the delivery of care under the guidance of Registered Nurses.
Our preference
would be for the post holder to work various shifts (12 hours) on rotation
between days and nights.
About us
Our clinical
teams are at the heart of everything we do. We appreciate that, as a charity,
we may appear to be a less stable option than other healthcare employers.
Whilst we can never be complacent about the scale of the fundraising
challenge that we continually face, the success of our income generation
efforts and our prudent approach to managing our resources will ensure that we
remain financially secure.
Our teams have
a sense a pride working for Jigsaw and Eden Valley Hospice. We are specialists
in what we do, and we are respected and valued by our community.
As a small organisation it means we work closely across teams here and
ideas for improvement can be adopted and trialled quickly. Our leadership team
is visible and approachable, and you will have the chance to influence the work
of the hospice.
Our staff survey reflects an employer which values people and a place
where their development is encouraged.
We offer some excellent benefits including:
- Free on-site parking
- Excellent development
opportunities
- Discounted gym
membership
- Access to our Employee
Assistance Programme
Interviews for the role will take place on Monday 3rd February 2025.
Please note the full time equivalent (FTE) salary is based on Hospice FTE of 37.5 hours per week
Job description
Job responsibilities
To assist
with and participate in the delivery of care and the provision of a range of
activities to children, young people and adults with life shortening conditions
and complex health needs at the Hospice and occasionally in the community.
To
work under the guidance of a Registered Nurse and provide support to their professional
role and function.
To
provide and maintain a safe and homely environment for the children, young
people and adults who access the service and their families or carers while
they are visiting or staying in the Hospice.
Key areas which would include but not limited to:
Provision of Care
Assist in maintaining and developing high standards of patient care by care in line with agreed care plans and wider policies and protocols, and in a way which always maintains privacy and dignity.
Act as a second checker for controlled medication.
Develop effective clinical skills in key areas such as PEG feeding, skin integrity, stoma care, care of tracheostomy.
Undertake regular checks in order to ensure that clinical equipment is in good working order, reporting any defects.
Demonstrate knowledge of food hygiene and ensure compliance with food hygiene standards.
Develop, where appropriate, additional skills to enhance the patient care experience, such as art therapy, complimentary therapy, spiritual care awareness.
Ensure professional skills remain updated and relevant, undertaking mandatory training for the role, identifying own professional development needs and working with manager to support these through appropriate objectives and training plans.
Communication and Relationships
Supporting distressed patients or relatives, managing conversations sensitively.
Communicating information on patient care and related matters to the nurse in charge or Team Lead in a timely and accurate manner.
Report immediately any concerns regarding patient and family in accordance with safeguarding legislation and hospice policies and procedures.
Work within the multi-disciplinary team for the benefit of patients and their families, participating in meetings where appropriate.
Foster supportive relationships between staff and volunteers across the Hospice as a whole, and work to support with clinical volunteers, students and new starters as required.
Confidentiality and Record Keeping
Ensure that all documentation is completed in an accurate and timely manner and stored in accordance with data protection principles.
Report and record all accidents, incidents and complaints to Team Lead or nurse in charge.
Other
Demonstrate flexibility, willingness, and a can-do attitude to ensure that standards of care of maintained. This may include undertaking housekeeping, catering, ward clerk or reception duties, within remit of competence, as required.
Assist in managing resources economically within the hospice.
Notes:
This post is deemed to require an Enhanced Disclosure check via the Disclosure and Barring Service.
The range of duties and responsibilities outlined above are indicative only and are intended to give a broad flavour of the range and type of duties that will be allocated. They are subject to modification in the light of changing service demands and the development requirements of the post holder.
Some flexibility in the hours worked will be essential at times to meet demands placed on our service.
All employees are expected to act in accordance with the Hospice Values at all times caring, dignity, respect and professional.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To assist
with and participate in the delivery of care and the provision of a range of
activities to children, young people and adults with life shortening conditions
and complex health needs at the Hospice and occasionally in the community.
To
work under the guidance of a Registered Nurse and provide support to their professional
role and function.
To
provide and maintain a safe and homely environment for the children, young
people and adults who access the service and their families or carers while
they are visiting or staying in the Hospice.
Key areas which would include but not limited to:
Provision of Care
Assist in maintaining and developing high standards of patient care by care in line with agreed care plans and wider policies and protocols, and in a way which always maintains privacy and dignity.
Act as a second checker for controlled medication.
Develop effective clinical skills in key areas such as PEG feeding, skin integrity, stoma care, care of tracheostomy.
Undertake regular checks in order to ensure that clinical equipment is in good working order, reporting any defects.
Demonstrate knowledge of food hygiene and ensure compliance with food hygiene standards.
Develop, where appropriate, additional skills to enhance the patient care experience, such as art therapy, complimentary therapy, spiritual care awareness.
Ensure professional skills remain updated and relevant, undertaking mandatory training for the role, identifying own professional development needs and working with manager to support these through appropriate objectives and training plans.
Communication and Relationships
Supporting distressed patients or relatives, managing conversations sensitively.
Communicating information on patient care and related matters to the nurse in charge or Team Lead in a timely and accurate manner.
Report immediately any concerns regarding patient and family in accordance with safeguarding legislation and hospice policies and procedures.
Work within the multi-disciplinary team for the benefit of patients and their families, participating in meetings where appropriate.
Foster supportive relationships between staff and volunteers across the Hospice as a whole, and work to support with clinical volunteers, students and new starters as required.
Confidentiality and Record Keeping
Ensure that all documentation is completed in an accurate and timely manner and stored in accordance with data protection principles.
Report and record all accidents, incidents and complaints to Team Lead or nurse in charge.
Other
Demonstrate flexibility, willingness, and a can-do attitude to ensure that standards of care of maintained. This may include undertaking housekeeping, catering, ward clerk or reception duties, within remit of competence, as required.
Assist in managing resources economically within the hospice.
Notes:
This post is deemed to require an Enhanced Disclosure check via the Disclosure and Barring Service.
The range of duties and responsibilities outlined above are indicative only and are intended to give a broad flavour of the range and type of duties that will be allocated. They are subject to modification in the light of changing service demands and the development requirements of the post holder.
Some flexibility in the hours worked will be essential at times to meet demands placed on our service.
All employees are expected to act in accordance with the Hospice Values at all times caring, dignity, respect and professional.
Person Specification
Skills and abilities
Essential
- Effective communication skills both verbal and written
- Good awareness of own limitations and able to recognise the need to ask for assistance
- Ability to work unsupervised but also as part of a team
- Ability to work safely and in line with organisational policies as well as individual care plans
- Ability to treat all patients with dignity, respect and understanding, showing empathy and compassion
- Ability to promote a safe, healthy and therapeutic environment
- Approachable, professional and compassionate
- Ability to build beneficial working relationships with people at all levels
- Physical ability to work 12 hour shifts with sustained periods on feet and moving and handling of patients
- Commitment to individually developing skills and knowledge in relation to palliative care and personal and professional development
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ level 2/3 or equivalent in Health & Social Care
- Care Certificate (or working towards qualification)
Desirable
- Knowledge of safeguarding legislation
- Understanding of the Data Protection Act 2018 and other relevant legislation
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of working in a healthcare setting
Desirable
- Experience in palliative care or working with individuals with complex needs
Person Specification
Skills and abilities
Essential
- Effective communication skills both verbal and written
- Good awareness of own limitations and able to recognise the need to ask for assistance
- Ability to work unsupervised but also as part of a team
- Ability to work safely and in line with organisational policies as well as individual care plans
- Ability to treat all patients with dignity, respect and understanding, showing empathy and compassion
- Ability to promote a safe, healthy and therapeutic environment
- Approachable, professional and compassionate
- Ability to build beneficial working relationships with people at all levels
- Physical ability to work 12 hour shifts with sustained periods on feet and moving and handling of patients
- Commitment to individually developing skills and knowledge in relation to palliative care and personal and professional development
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ level 2/3 or equivalent in Health & Social Care
- Care Certificate (or working towards qualification)
Desirable
- Knowledge of safeguarding legislation
- Understanding of the Data Protection Act 2018 and other relevant legislation
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of working in a healthcare setting
Desirable
- Experience in palliative care or working with individuals with complex needs
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.
