St Giles Hospice

Healthcare Assistant

This job is now closed

Job summary

St Giles Hospice is looking for experienced healthcare assistants to join our inpatient unit team. Are you passionate and committed to providing the best possible hands on care to patients and their families who are experiencing terminal illness in an inpatient setting?

The successful candidates will have NVQ II in Health and Social Care (minimum) and experience in working in a healthcare inpatient environment. Palliative/Hospice experience is desirable. Good communication and team-working skills and an empathetic disposition are essential.

Main duties of the job

To deliver a range of patient care duties under the direct supervision of registered nurses and to assist registered staff in the provision of high quality palliative care for patients, their relatives and carers.

About us

St Giles Hospice is a registered charity offering high-quality specialist care free of charge for people living with diseases, which are terminal or incurable, as well as providing support for their families and carers. Our services are rated as Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission.

Patients come from across the hospice's catchment area, which ranges from Ashby-de-la-Zouch and Atherstone in the east, to Cannock in the west and from Burton and Uttoxeter in the north, to Sutton Coldfield and Coleshill in the south.

Care is offered at the hospice's centres in Whittington and Sutton Coldfield and in patients' own homes across the region.

St Giles spends around £10million a year providing its specialist services and with little more than a third of this funded by the Government, the registered charity relies heavily on donations and income generation from the local community.

Date posted

13 February 2024

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£22,059.19 to £23,242.41 a year WTE, pro rata for part time hrs, + enhancements where applicable

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

B0379-337

Job locations

Fisherwick Road

Whittington

Lichfield

Staffordshire

WS14 9LH

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key tasks and responsibilities

Maintain appropriate sensitive, caring and tactful relationships with patients, families and carers

Assist in the implementation of all care for which they are competent to practice under the direct supervision of registered staff, in accordance with St Giles Hospice policies and procedures. Demonstrate a knowledge of care procedures and clinical observations etc. that are consistent with NVQ level 2 or equivalent

Assist patients to maintain all aspects of daily living activities in accordance with individual programmes of care with close supervision of registered nurses

To maintain patients personal hygiene and appearance.

To assist with eating and drinking.

To assist with toileting and with (access to) toilet facilities.

To help to make patients as comfortable as possible.

To help patients to make the best of whatever time they have left, in whatever way they can.

To talk with patients and relatives about whatever they need to talk about.

To support patients, and their relatives ,as they approach end-of life

To inform registered nurses of any significant changes in patients conditions.

To signpost patients and relatives to other appropriate hospice services

Assist registered nursing staff in aspects of technical care and record keeping, e.g. taking and recording vital signs i.e. temperature, pulse, and respiration, urine testing and obtaining specimens

Exchange factual information with, and offer support as appropriate to patients, their families and carers and professional colleagues

Maintain accurate and timely paper and electronic records of patient care delivered in accordance with guidance and training provided

Ensure that confidentiality of information is maintained at all times

Assist with last offices

Assist with clinical procedures following appropriate training

Be aware of the health, safety and wellbeing of self, staff, patients and all others on hospice property and comply with the St Giles Hospice Health and Safety Policy

Utilise educational opportunities to facilitate learning in the clinical environment. Participate in education and training activities consistent with the role

General

Be aware of, and comply with all manner of St Giles Hospice policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines alongside observing a personal duty of care when using equipment or handling patients valuables for example.

Undertake other duties as may be required, and which are consistent with the responsibilities of the post. Learn new skills associated with the role. Communication and Working Relationships

Co-operate with, and communicate clearly and professionally any changes that may affect patient care to the nurse in charge of the Inpatient Unit; or through to the nurse in charge via another registered nurse

Work with, and support voluntary staff in the provision of care as directed

Supervise, where appropriate, less experienced Healthcare Assistants. Core competencies

Just so you know:

This post is subject to a Disclose and Barring Service (DBS) check.

We may review applications before the application review date, however, if you apply after the application review date, your application may not be considered. We will accept applications until we have successfully filled the role, this may be earlier than the closing date.

If you have not heard within 14 days of the application close date, then please consider that your application has been unsuccessful at this time.

As part of your application your data will be managed in line with St Giles Hospice Privacy Policy and kept for 6 months. If you would like to see this in full, please visit https://www.stgileshospice.com/privacy-policy/