St Margaret's Somerset Hospice

Healthcare Assistant

The closing date is 29 August 2025

Job summary

St Margaret's Hospice Care has a fantastic opportunity for a Healthcare Assistant to join our team. This role is based in Taunton. You will join us on a full time (37.5 hours a week), permanent basis.

  • Salary: £24,637.50 per annum
  • Unsocial hours payments: 30% for all time on a Saturday (midnight to midnight) and any weekday after 8pm and before 6am. 60% for all time on a Sunday and Public Holidays (midnight to midnight).

As an employer, we hope to nurture and develop all our staff to ensure that you are achieving your full potential and actively encourage all staff in their training and education.

Main duties of the job

Our healthcare assistants provide outstanding patient care to those with a life limiting illness, making each day count for those who rely on St Margaret's services.

Responsibilities as our Healthcare Assistant will include:

  • Providing specialist palliative care that is patient-centred, holistic and quality driven.
  • Providing appropriate support and advice for families, carers, and bereaved relatives.
  • Working as part of the multidisciplinary team under the direction and leadership of the registered staff, supporting them to meet the needs of patients and their families.

About us

Be part of a welcoming, community minded charity. Our mission is to provide excellent specialist palliative care for patients and support to their families. Everyone here contributes and has a part to play towards our goal. If you speak to any of our staff or volunteers, they will tell you how the patient is at the heart of everything they do. So, if you're looking for a role where you can really make a difference, working as part of a supportive team, we could be a perfect match.

Holiday entitlement

  • 33 days holiday including bank holidays rising to 35 days after 1 year, and increasing with length of service (pro-rata if part-time)
  • Ability to buy and sell annual leave

Pension scheme

  • NHS employees eligible to continue with their NHS pension scheme*
  • Non-NHS employees will receive 5% employer and 5% employee contribution.

Award-winning Employee Assistance Programme for you and your family offering:

  • Vitality & wellbeing health portal for non-emergency care
  • Unlimited access to 24/7 online GP Consultations as well as Expert Case Management
  • Confidential and free 24-hour Employee Assistance
  • Counselling and support
  • Legal, financial, and medical information and advice

And more

  • Life assurance cover (2x salary)
  • Health Cash Plans
  • Blue Light Discount Card
  • Enhanced parental leave*
  • Excellent learning and development opportunities
  • Free on-site parking in Yeovil and Taunton
  • Volunteering and fundraising opportunities

*Eligibility criteria applies

Details

Date posted

19 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,637.50 a year 30% for all time on a Saturday and 60% for Sunday

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

65-25 HCA Level 2 IPU

Job locations

St Margaret's Hospice Care

Heron Drive

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5HA


Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

  • Support and assist patients with their individual hygiene and personal needs, prioritising care according to need.
  • Support patients with their individual dietary requirements and assist with eating and drinking as required.
  • Provide patients with support and assistance to maintain their level of mobility using specified mobility appliances as required.
  • Ensure patients comfort by changing their position as necessary to minimise and prevent the adverse effect of pressure.
  • Assist in minimising patients anxiety, pain, and discomfort by promoting an environment and atmosphere that is calm and restful.
  • Report any changes in the patients condition to the shift leader.
  • Provide support to patients during treatments, investigations, and procedures.
  • Act as the patients escort.
  • Assess, plan, implement, evaluate, and document patient care in accordance with hospice philosophy and under the supervision of a registered nurse.
  • Assist with Last Offices demonstrating empathy and compassion.
  • Assist in the provision of nursing care to meet the physical, psychological, social, emotional, and spiritual needs of individual patients and their families, under the supervision of a registered nurse.
  • Offer advice and support to meet the physical, emotional, spiritual, psychological, and social needs of families, carers and bereaved relatives under the supervision of a registered nurse.
  • Promote as much independence as possible within the limits of disease progression.
  • Maintain accurate documentation under the supervision of a registered nurse.
  • Use all ward equipment safely, competently and appropriately taking responsibility to clean and maintain to keep in good working order. Report any defects to registered staff and record in the dedicated maintenance book.
  • Ensure the safe handling of patients property and valuables and keep accurate records.
  • To be aware of, and adhere to, hospice nursing policies and procedures
  • Working with a registered nurse, act as a proactive link nurse as an effective resource for your area of expertise. Help to maintain an up to date, evidence-based resource file and organise teaching sessions to update staff on best practice.
  • Support the work of the volunteers working in the clinical area.
  • Actively contribute in housekeeping duties to maintain the cleanliness and tidiness in the clinical areas.
  • Participate in audit as requested
Educational Responsibilities

  • Participate in Clinical and Health and Safety mandatory training programmes.
  • Participate in appropriate internal and external training sessions in order to provide high standards of specialist palliative nursing care.
  • Attend journal club and significant event meetings.
  • To be aware of own limitations and work within levels of competency. Maintain the competencies that are required to meet the criteria for NVQ 2. Provide documentary evidence for each competency.
  • Assist in the promotion of health education with patients and their families/carers
  • Apply a consistent and positive attitude towards training and professional development.
  • Participate in the performance review process and take responsibility for achieving the objectives identified in the Personal Development Plan.
  • All staff are responsible for ensuring they follow good infection control practices at all times and that they are familiar with infection control policies, procedures and guidance. Undertaking the necessary level of training relevant to their area of work.

Professional Responsibilities

  • Work in accordance with organisational policies and procedures
  • Maintain confidentiality
  • Act as a role model for junior colleagues, embracing the ethos of hospice care
  • Participate in induction programmes and provide effective and supportive mentorship for new members of staff
  • Provide support and encouragement for student nurses
  • Participate in regular clinical supervision as provided by the organisation
  • Ensure Health and Safety Polices are adhered to and report any accidents, incidents, and complaints to the shift leader.

Communication and people skills:

  • Liaise with all members of the multidisciplinary team in the provision of specialist palliative care for patients, families and carers. Support, attend and make an active contribution to the ward multidisciplinary team meetings acting as patient advocate. Promote and maintain a culture of multidisciplinary team working.
  • Liaise with team members in a constructive and positive manner, adhering to best practice when giving and receiving feedback.
  • Develop and maintain regular opportunity for team discussion regarding service development and decision making. Attend ward meetings on a regular basis.
  • Establish and maintain effective communication with patients, families, and carers to include those with communication difficulties and report relevant information to the multi-disciplinary team.
  • Maintain a respectful, non- judgemental and caring attitude towards all patients, their families, and friends.
  • Use excellent communication skills to welcome new patients, relatives, and hospice visitors and to show sensitivity in sharing difficult information and to assist in the support of bereaved relatives.
  • Working under the direction of the Nurse in charge.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

  • Support and assist patients with their individual hygiene and personal needs, prioritising care according to need.
  • Support patients with their individual dietary requirements and assist with eating and drinking as required.
  • Provide patients with support and assistance to maintain their level of mobility using specified mobility appliances as required.
  • Ensure patients comfort by changing their position as necessary to minimise and prevent the adverse effect of pressure.
  • Assist in minimising patients anxiety, pain, and discomfort by promoting an environment and atmosphere that is calm and restful.
  • Report any changes in the patients condition to the shift leader.
  • Provide support to patients during treatments, investigations, and procedures.
  • Act as the patients escort.
  • Assess, plan, implement, evaluate, and document patient care in accordance with hospice philosophy and under the supervision of a registered nurse.
  • Assist with Last Offices demonstrating empathy and compassion.
  • Assist in the provision of nursing care to meet the physical, psychological, social, emotional, and spiritual needs of individual patients and their families, under the supervision of a registered nurse.
  • Offer advice and support to meet the physical, emotional, spiritual, psychological, and social needs of families, carers and bereaved relatives under the supervision of a registered nurse.
  • Promote as much independence as possible within the limits of disease progression.
  • Maintain accurate documentation under the supervision of a registered nurse.
  • Use all ward equipment safely, competently and appropriately taking responsibility to clean and maintain to keep in good working order. Report any defects to registered staff and record in the dedicated maintenance book.
  • Ensure the safe handling of patients property and valuables and keep accurate records.
  • To be aware of, and adhere to, hospice nursing policies and procedures
  • Working with a registered nurse, act as a proactive link nurse as an effective resource for your area of expertise. Help to maintain an up to date, evidence-based resource file and organise teaching sessions to update staff on best practice.
  • Support the work of the volunteers working in the clinical area.
  • Actively contribute in housekeeping duties to maintain the cleanliness and tidiness in the clinical areas.
  • Participate in audit as requested
Educational Responsibilities

  • Participate in Clinical and Health and Safety mandatory training programmes.
  • Participate in appropriate internal and external training sessions in order to provide high standards of specialist palliative nursing care.
  • Attend journal club and significant event meetings.
  • To be aware of own limitations and work within levels of competency. Maintain the competencies that are required to meet the criteria for NVQ 2. Provide documentary evidence for each competency.
  • Assist in the promotion of health education with patients and their families/carers
  • Apply a consistent and positive attitude towards training and professional development.
  • Participate in the performance review process and take responsibility for achieving the objectives identified in the Personal Development Plan.
  • All staff are responsible for ensuring they follow good infection control practices at all times and that they are familiar with infection control policies, procedures and guidance. Undertaking the necessary level of training relevant to their area of work.

Professional Responsibilities

  • Work in accordance with organisational policies and procedures
  • Maintain confidentiality
  • Act as a role model for junior colleagues, embracing the ethos of hospice care
  • Participate in induction programmes and provide effective and supportive mentorship for new members of staff
  • Provide support and encouragement for student nurses
  • Participate in regular clinical supervision as provided by the organisation
  • Ensure Health and Safety Polices are adhered to and report any accidents, incidents, and complaints to the shift leader.

Communication and people skills:

  • Liaise with all members of the multidisciplinary team in the provision of specialist palliative care for patients, families and carers. Support, attend and make an active contribution to the ward multidisciplinary team meetings acting as patient advocate. Promote and maintain a culture of multidisciplinary team working.
  • Liaise with team members in a constructive and positive manner, adhering to best practice when giving and receiving feedback.
  • Develop and maintain regular opportunity for team discussion regarding service development and decision making. Attend ward meetings on a regular basis.
  • Establish and maintain effective communication with patients, families, and carers to include those with communication difficulties and report relevant information to the multi-disciplinary team.
  • Maintain a respectful, non- judgemental and caring attitude towards all patients, their families, and friends.
  • Use excellent communication skills to welcome new patients, relatives, and hospice visitors and to show sensitivity in sharing difficult information and to assist in the support of bereaved relatives.
  • Working under the direction of the Nurse in charge.

Person Specification

Education/ Qualifications

Essential

  • Basic literacy and numeracy skills
  • Level 2 adult social care certificate, or be working towards or demonstrable experience of working within a nursing environment
  • Competent to deliver nursing care in line with clinical responsibilities outlined in this job description

Desirable

  • Working towards Level 3 adult social care certificate
  • Experience in a palliative care environment

Self Awareness

Essential

  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Effective communication skills, both written and verbal
  • Team player

Desirable

  • Experience of compassionately dealing with distressed patients, families and carers

Working with others

Essential

  • Positive attitude towards equal opportunities and towards working in a multi-cultural/multi-disciplinary environment
  • Flexible approach to working arrangements
  • Assertive

Outcome & Results

Essential

  • Conscientious, reliable and punctual.
  • Recognises and understand own role and responsibilities

Leading in your area

Essential

  • Knowledge of pressures that exist for colleagues who are caring for patients to improve their quality of life, meet their needs and facilitate patient choice.
  • Knowledge of pressures that exist for patients, who are living with life limiting conditions, and their families
  • Committed to self development

Desirable

  • Knowledge of current NHS and independent sector issues facing nursing and, in particular, specialist palliative care.
Person Specification

Education/ Qualifications

Essential

  • Basic literacy and numeracy skills
  • Level 2 adult social care certificate, or be working towards or demonstrable experience of working within a nursing environment
  • Competent to deliver nursing care in line with clinical responsibilities outlined in this job description

Desirable

  • Working towards Level 3 adult social care certificate
  • Experience in a palliative care environment

Self Awareness

Essential

  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Effective communication skills, both written and verbal
  • Team player

Desirable

  • Experience of compassionately dealing with distressed patients, families and carers

Working with others

Essential

  • Positive attitude towards equal opportunities and towards working in a multi-cultural/multi-disciplinary environment
  • Flexible approach to working arrangements
  • Assertive

Outcome & Results

Essential

  • Conscientious, reliable and punctual.
  • Recognises and understand own role and responsibilities

Leading in your area

Essential

  • Knowledge of pressures that exist for colleagues who are caring for patients to improve their quality of life, meet their needs and facilitate patient choice.
  • Knowledge of pressures that exist for patients, who are living with life limiting conditions, and their families
  • Committed to self development

Desirable

  • Knowledge of current NHS and independent sector issues facing nursing and, in particular, specialist palliative care.

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

St Margaret's Somerset Hospice

Address

St Margaret's Hospice Care

Heron Drive

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5HA


Employer's website

https://www.st-margarets-hospice.org.uk/home-page (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

St Margaret's Somerset Hospice

Address

St Margaret's Hospice Care

Heron Drive

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5HA


Employer's website

https://www.st-margarets-hospice.org.uk/home-page (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Senior Sister

Anna Saunders

anna.saunders@st-margarets-hospice.org.uk

01823333822

Details

Date posted

19 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,637.50 a year 30% for all time on a Saturday and 60% for Sunday

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

65-25 HCA Level 2 IPU

Job locations

St Margaret's Hospice Care

Heron Drive

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 5HA


Supporting documents

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