Multiskilled Health Care AssistantNHS

Job summary

Are you looking for a role that's more than just a job? Join our Hospice to Home Team and help bring comfort, dignity and support to people across North Devon when they need it most. At North Devon Hospice, we believe home is a special place. Our Hospice to Home Service helps people stay where they feel happiest and most comfortable, surrounded by the people, pets and memories they love. Every day, our team makes a real difference, providing outstanding care and helping families create precious moments together.

Main duties of the job

We're looking for caring, dedicated Healthcare Assistants who hold a Level 3 Care or Lead Adult Care Worker qualification and have experience in a healthcare setting. Community experience is helpful, but you don't need previous palliative or end-of-life care experience. We'll provide the training, support and encouragement you need to develop your skills and thrive in this rewarding role.

In return, you'll enjoy the variety and independence of working in the community, the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with patients and families, and the chance to be part of a warm, supportive team that genuinely cares about one another. You'll also have access to ongoing learning and development opportunities to help you grow both personally and professionally.

The service operates seven days a week, with 12-hour shifts from 8am to 8pm, including a one-hour break. As we continue to grow and develop our services, including plans for future night-time community care, flexibility will be important. As this role involves travelling to patients' homes across North Devon, you'll need to be able to travel independently throughout the area.

Job description

In this role you will be responsible for:

• Providing high quality, holistic care to end of life patients in their own home in line with the care plan and risk assessment as defined by the Community Palliative Care Registered Nurse
• Working closely with the hospice team and the patients District Nurse and GP to support coordinated care
• Participating in the provision of care to facilitate patient / carer choice regarding palliative and / or end of life care
• Providing emotional support to patients, carers and family members
• Assisting patients with daily living activities in accordance with their individual plan of care i.e. eating and drinking, washing and dressing, nail and hair care, toileting, during day visits and night sits
• Supporting patients to take their medication as prescribed and in line with competency
• Assisting patients to maintain comfort and independence in line with planned care
• Contacting and assisting other professionals as required
• Undertaking delegated tasks from a Complementary Therapist i.e. hand massage, relaxation techniques as per competency
• Assisting with any after death care in agreement with the family/carer
• Establishing and maintaining effective professional communication with patients, carers and professional colleagues
• Being aware of the changing needs of patients and their carers throughout the illness trajectory and the need for frequent reassessment, alerting other professionals accordingly
• Maintaining effective verbal and written communications with members of health and social services external to the hospice team
• Maintaining accurate, legible patient records
• Acting in a manner that respects and empowers the patient, remaining non-judgemental in your approach
• Being aware of the importance of adhering to specific spiritual, cultural needs
• Maintaining patient confidentiality
• Handing over patient information appropriately to the hospice team and other health / social care professionals on a daily basis
• Reporting any concerns to the service manager
• Attending monthly meetings, supervision and educational updates to ensure own capability to practice
• Being committed to own Continuous Professional Development and maintaining your clinical competencies
• Being aware of the lone worker policy and adhering to the recommendations to maintain personal safety
• Being alert to the health, safety and wellbeing of self, colleagues, patients and carers and complying with the hospices Health & Safety Policy
• Using resources economically and effectively
• Maintaining and ensuring equipment is in good working order, enabling you to work efficiently
• Respecting the rights, privacy, dignity and property of the patient and their carers at all times
• Ensuring that you follow good infection control practice at all times and that you are familiar with infection control policies, procedures, and guidance relevant to your area of work
• Understanding your role in the safeguarding of adults and children by being able to identify risks, and recognise signs of harm, abuse or neglect including how to report concerns and take immediate action to protect a person at risk of harm or abuse

About us

Working for us is awesome! Benefits include:

• An excellent working environment (& beautiful outside areas)
• Flexible & family friendly policies including Maternity, Adoption, Paternity, Shared Parental leave and Pawternity!
• Tech Scheme Cycle to work Scheme
• Free on-site parking
• Personal pension scheme
• Generous holiday allowance increasing with service
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) offering free confidential advice on a range of matters including financial, legal, health and wellbeing
• Health Cash Plan which can include up to 5 children and the option to include partners
• Regular Wellbeing events
• The opportunity to give us your feedback on how we can improve as an organisation