Health Care Support Worker

Job summary

We are searching for exceptional Health Care Support Workers who are passionate and experienced in caring for Babies, Children and Young Adults and take pride in their role. Hospice is a unique working environment; it stretches a person in many ways. We are looking for individuals who, at their core, are kind, proactive and take the positives from any given situation.

You will require a minimum NVQ level 2 or equivalent in a health related area. Clinical experience of caring for children and young adults with complex health needs is desirable. This role is hands on delivering care to clinically complex children, following the childs individual care plan. What remains essential is the ability to demonstrate understanding, compassion and to work well with others in the team.

This post works flexibly including rotation onto nights to cover a 24/7, 365-day service.

Main duties of the job

Main Purpose of Job

To assist in providing ahigh level of specialist palliative care, encompassing a supportive and holisticapproach to the child/young person with a life limiting condition and theirfamily in the Hospice and in the child/YPs home environment. To work flexibly including rotation onto nights to cover a24/7, 365-day service. The post holderwill work alongside the multi-disciplinary care team and maintain the deliveryof care in line with the Hospicephilosophy.

Position of the role in Claire House

The role sits in the unregistered category of careteam roles The post holder reports operationally to theregistered staff member when on duty The post holder is directly line managed by asenior registered professional and is ultimately accountable to the Director ofClinical Services The post holder reports to a registeredprofessional and is ultimately accountable to the Director of Clinical Services

Scope ofJob

To act as a contact worker on shift demonstrating good core communicationskills depending on the specific needs of the child/young person and theirfamily To implement the agreed plan of care for a child/young person withcomplex, palliative or end of life care needs, using a holistic andindividualised approach

About us

We recognise that working in a Childrens Hospice is very different to that of the NHS and sometimes applicants are not sure if working in a Hospice setting best suits their experience. We hold Claire House values central to our recruitment process. Therefore, we welcome interested applicants to arrange an informal visit and spend time at Claire House ahead of the interview.

All Claire House employees receive a rewards and recognition package which includes generous annual leave, life cover, free access to an Employee Assistance Program and counselling service, free parking, access to training and courses and in-house clinical supervision. We offer additional payments for working unsocial hours and night shifts. You can also continue with your NHS superannuation scheme or join the Claire House pension scheme.

Should you require any further information or want to discuss the post please contact Jenni Bell, Hospice Manager: Or Ruth Varey, Deputy Hospice Manager:

INTERVIEW: Tuesday 18th June 2024

We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

This organisations recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to equal opportunities and safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Dimensionsand Limits of Authority

To work under supervision ensuring practice is in line with ClaireHouse policy and procedures To refer to assigned nurse for advice/ guidance during a shift

Qualification and Skills Level

Professional background NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent Experience of palliative/complex care needs

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilityfor Staff

To act as a positive role model. Demonstrating CH Values and Behaviours To participate in the orientation of new staff, students and volunteers

Responsibilityfor Patient Care

Working in partnership with parents/carers to implement the agreed plannedcare needs for children and young people in line with Claire House bestpractice guidelines To implement and evaluate the child/ young persons individual care planwithin their scope of clinical competence, recognising when to refer to thechilds allocated nurse To maintain confidentiality, upholding an individuals right to privacy,dignity and respect To recognise and implementdiverse ways of communication, understanding the need for sensitivity inaddressing cultural wishes when caring for people to ensure that their needs,priorities and preferences are always valued and taken into account To maintain accurate,contemporaneous records that reflect the highest possible data qualitystandards, ensuring service user and their familys confidentiality in linewith General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) & Claire House policies,procedures and guidelines. Paying thehighest regard for the principles of confidentiality and the importance ofconsent/best interests. All information must be handled legally, securely,efficiently and effectively To share responsibility within the Hospice in order to maintain a safebut homely environment taking into account health and safety, including infectioncontrol and risk assessments To work alongside, and participate in the induction of new care teammembers To be competent for the safe administration of medicines on a shiftbasis ensuring medicine management policies and procedures are adhered to To adapt the delivery of care according to the physical, emotional andenvironmental demands To be aware and working to Safeguarding and Prevention of At Risk Adultspolicies and procedures To comply with moving and handling policies and procedures To provide early bereavement care and support, working in partnershipwith the butterfly coordinators and/or Family Support Team To take responsibility for maintaining the cleanliness of thechild/young persons bedroom whilst occupied. For cleaning and removal ofclinical/hospice equipment once that room is vacated To assist in the smooth running of the laundry and kitchen services in theabsence of designated staff To assist in hydrotherapy sessions (once trained) including being poolside in case of emergency To be ableto undertake the mental, physical and emotional demands of the role, whilst atthe same time taking care to safeguard their own health and safety as well asfellow care team members, children, young people and their family

Responsibility for Clinical Governance and Quality

To participate in quality measures for the delivery of care to maintainhigh standards through best practice To identify ways ofcontinued quality improvement, using reflective practice To occasionally participate in audit /surveys to enhance the delivery ofcare To liaise with the senior registered professional in significant eventanalysis To actively complete clinical incident documentation in accordance withno blame and whistle-blowing policy To adhere and comply with all Hospice policies and procedures

Responsibilityfor Clinical Leadership and Practice Development

To ensure annual mandatory training is up to date To take responsibility for maintaining his/her own professionaldevelopment. Meeting with senior registered professional for regularappraisals, identifying and agreeing personal targets To maintain clinical core/ extended competencies on an annual basis To be competent in Claire Houses core clinical competencies and worktowards extending such clinical skills To ensure the economical and appropriate use of all resources within theHospice To be responsible for the safe use, storage and maintenance ofequipment/technical apparatus To maintain appropriate client records ensuring they are stored securelyand confidentially in line with GDPR To attend and participate in Hospice meetings To report and record all accidents and incidents in line with Hospiceprocedure safe guarding the welfare and safety of all staff during workinghours with regard to the Health and Safety at Work Act To be fully involved in the process of preventing and controllinginfections To maintain confidentiality in all aspects of the role, especiallyinformation regarding children/young people and their families To participate in special interest groups throughout the Hospice to meetthe holistic needs of children/young people and their family

General Claire HouseRequirements

Adhereto and comply with organisational policies, procedures and guidelines at alltimes Implementrisk management strategies (including reporting, registering risk andlearning), taking all reasonable steps to manage and promote a safe and healthyworking environment which is free from discrimination ImplementHealth and Safety regulations through risk assessment. Maintain a constantawareness of health, welfare and safety issues affecting colleagues, serviceusers, volunteers, visitors and themselves, reporting any accidents or faultsin line with organisational policy. Participate fully in health and safety training Complywith the organisational policy on confidentiality and GDPR relating toinformation held manually or on computerised systems Respectthe confidentiality and privacy of children, young adults, volunteers and staffat all times Participatein personal training, development and appraisal, and attend all relevanttraining courses as required Takepart in organisational research Embracethe positive volunteer culture which Claire House strives to create.

The post holder must act at all times in a professionaland responsible manner and have due regard to confidentiality and Health &Safety legislation.

This is anoutline job description and should not be regarded as an inflexiblespecification. Responsibilities will bereviewed periodically in line with service priorities and duties may change ornew duties be introduced after consultation with the post holder. As a term of your employment you may berequired to undertake such other duties, such as link roles, and/or hours ofwork as may reasonably be required, commensurate with your general level ofresponsibility with the organisation, at your initial place of work or at anyother of the Claire House establishments.

Person Specification

Special Circumstances / Additional Requirements

Essential

Basic IT skills

Desirable

Car driver

Qualifications

Essential

NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent in health and social care

Desirable

NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in health and social care Complementary therapies skills Clinical supervisory skills Basic counselling skills

Experience

Essential

Knowledge and experience of working with children/young people with health care needs Experience of working in a small team Experience of working in partnership with families

Desirable

Experience of working with children/ young people with complex health care needs Experience of palliative/ end of life care Experience in enteral feeding, tracheostomy care, ventilator care etc Experience/knowledge of working in a hospice Knowledge/experience of working for a charity

Skills & Abilities

Essential

Effective core communication skills Good organisational skills and ability to prioritise work load Ability to implement and evaluate planned care Ability to record information in a concise, legible and accurate manner Good interpersonal and Team working skills Ability to provide personal and clinical care

Desirable

Relates well with families and other healthcare professionals Communicates with peers and supervisors alike Competent in core clinical skills Skills in holistic needs/therapies

Personal Qualities

Essential

Positive attitude Enthusiastic Flexible able to cover a range of shifts in a 24 hour period Professional manner Approachable Honest and trustworthy Understanding of professional boundaries

Desirable

Supportive of colleagues, children and families

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