Healthcare Assistant – Lymphoedema

Healthcare Assistant – Lymphoedema Job Type: Permanent, Part-time Location: Katharine House Hospice, Stafford Salary: £10,412.80 per annum (Actual) £26,032 per annum, full time equivalent Hours: 15 hours per week Closing date: 12 December 2025, however this may close earlier, subject to response rate Telephone Interview date: 17 December 2025 Face to face interview date: 8 January 2026 Are you a dedicated and caring healthcare worker who wants to provide passionate, professional and responsive care? Join Katharine House Hospice Stafford in our Lymphoedema Clinic, where your work will help us provide compassionate, professional and responsive care, ensuring that local people receive the care they need when it matters most. About us Katharine House Hospice offer the best care so that people in our community, affected by progressive illnesses, can live their lives to the full. The out-patient unit at Katharine House Hospice is a specialist palliative care unit supporting adults with life-limiting illness. We value people – so much so, it’s one of our three key values as a charity. We focus on delivering high quality care and can give the time needed to provide the best experience for our patients and their families. We provide ongoing support with opportunities for professional development. We are also able to provide access to the NHS pension scheme if you are currently an existing member. The Role As a Healthcare Assistant in our Lymphoedema clinic you’ll work in a great team of dedicated staff with more time to provide care thanks to our excellent ratio of staff to patients. The purpose of the Lymphoedema Clinic is to provide high quality care which is responsive to the needs of patients with lymphoedema. The role of the Lymphoedema Healthcare worker is to assist the Lymphoedema Team in delivering high-quality, compassionate care to patients with lymphoedema or chronic oedema across Mid Staffordshire. Your voice matters and we’ll listen to your views to help the department improve. We also provide ongoing development opportunities to help your professional growth. Please note, an enhanced DBS clearance will be required for this role. What’s in it for you? Benefits include: Annual leave – 33 days per annum, which includes bank holidays (pro rata for part time), increasing after 5 and 10 years’ service. Pension scheme – We match contributions up to 7% to a NEST scheme. If you’re currently contributing to the NHS pension scheme you can continue to do so. Death in service benefit – Reassurance should the worst happen. 2 x salary to your family. Employee Assistance Programme – Providing support for your wellbeing. Training and development opportunities – Continuous learning and professional growth. Occupational sick pay – Support during times of illness. Healthcare cash benefit plan – Contributory plan to help cover health-related expenses. Free on-site parking Free uniform and PPE Skills and experience We’re looking for a motivated and enthusiast individual who has: Excellent standards of patient care Outstanding communication skills A minimum of one year’s experience in a healthcare setting NVQ/Diploma level 2/3 in Care, or equivalent – essential Due to the nature of this caring role, an enhanced DBS clearance will be required. Join us and make a difference If you’re passionate about people and want to contribute to a mission that matters, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now and help us continue to provide exceptional care and support to those who need it most. If you’d like to know more about this role, without commitment, please contact Nichola Smith, Senior Care Manager or Fay Smith, Senior Staff Nurse on 01785 254645. How to apply Submit a CV via Indeed. Please note we are unable to provide sponsorship at this time. If you’d like to know more about this role, without commitment, please contact the HR department on 01785 218257. The closing date is 12 December 2025, however we may close this advert earlier, subject to response rates. If you require any reasonable adjustment to participate in this process, please do not hesitate to contact HR on the number above. Please note that applications will be shortlisted on an ongoing basis and this vacancy may be closed early if the positions are filled. Internal applicants should apply via an expression of interest outlining the reasons for your interest and detailing any relevant experience. Lymphoedema Healthcare Worker "To offer the best care so that people in our community affected by progressive illnesses can live their lives to the full." Department and Role Objectives The purpose of the Lymphoedema Clinic is to provide high quality care which is responsive to the needs of patients with lymphoedema. The role of the Lymphoedema Healthcare worker is to assist the Lymphoedema Team in delivering high-quality, compassionate care to patients with lymphoedema or chronic oedema across Mid Staffordshire. Working under the supervision of the Lymphoedema Clinical Nurse Specialist, the post holder will support the day-to-day running of the service, assist with clinical care, provide education and support to patients and carers and help promote self-management strategies to improve patient wellbeing. The role will include both clinical and administrative duties to ensure smooth, safe and effective service delivery. The post holder will have responsibility for development and maintaining competence in the skills required to work in lymphoedema. Function and Responsibilities Summary: The post holder will form part of a team comprising of a Clinical Nurse Specialist and two Lymphoedema practitioners. Specific Objectives: To ensure our patients and their families receive an outstanding caring service, professionally delivered within a safe environment. Maintain a safe, clean, clinical environment and identify any risk to patients’ families and staff. Work with the multi-disciplinary team to ensure patients and families receive a holistic approach to care. Core Responsibilities Clinical Assist in the holistic assessment and treatment of patients with lymphoedema or chronic oedema under supervision. Support with limb volume measurements and accurate recording of results. Prepare and maintain treatment areas and equipment for clinical sessions. Apply basic compression wraps, hosiery, or garments as directed by a registered practitioner. Support patients with simple skin care, hygiene and preventative measures to reduce infection risk. Educate and encourage patients and carers in basic self-care and exercise techniques. Support the monitoring and reporting of changes in a patient’s condition. Assist with the use of equipment such as Photo modulation, Cupping Lymphflow Advance, Hivamat and intermittent pneumatic compression pumps after suitable training and supervision. Ensure infection prevention and control standards are followed at all times. Communication and Support Provide reassurance, empathy and emotional support to patients and their families. Communicate effectively within the multi-disciplinary team, ensuring patient information is accurate and confidential. Provide clear written and verbal information to patients and carers as directed by clinical staff. Support health promotion and awareness activities relating to lymphoedema prevention and management, Professional Standards and Safety Work in line with hospice policies, protocols and national clinical guidelines. Recognise and report any concerns regarding patient safety, safeguarding, or wellbeing to the supervising nurse. Maintain accurate documentation in line with hospice and data protection standards. Participate in infection control procedures and regular hand hygiene audits. Take part in regular supervision, team meetings and service development discussions. Education Complete Mandatory training as set by KHH. Undertake additional lymphoedema-specific training as required (eg. compression therapy, skin care, equipment use). Contribute to a learning environment by supporting new team members, students and volunteers. Reflect on practice and identify own learning needs in collaboration with line manager. Personnel Take all measures to ensure the safety and welfare of all patients and staff, having due regard to the Health and Safety at Work Act. Develop staff knowledge and skills to promote equality and diversity. Promote the use of reflective practice in others. Deliver evidence-based care and evaluated research for practice. Attend annual statutory updates as required and Katharine House Hospice annual mandatory updates. Participate in continuing education and other activities to promote own professional growth. Demonstrate an understanding and implementation of clinical governance. Recognise stress in self and others and seek support as required. Skills and Competencies Essential Caring, compassionate and patient-centred approach Good communication and interpersonal skills Ability to work both independently and as part of a team Basic IT and record-keeping skills Awareness of infection prevention and control principles Understanding of confidentiality and data protection Desirable Experience working in a clinical or hospice environment Awareness of lymphoedema management or long-term condition care Knowledge of compression therapy, wound care, or palliative support Other Requirements Job Revision: This job description is subject to periodic revision following discussions with the post holder. Infection Prevention and Control: In accordance with the Health and Social Care Act 2012, the post holder will actively participate in the prevention and control of infection within the capacity of their role. The Act requires the post holder to attend infection prevention and control training on induction and at regular updates and to take responsibility for the practical application of the training in the course of their work. Infection prevention and control must be included in any personal development plan or appraisal. Smoking: The hospice has a no smoking policy. All hospice premises are considered No Smoking Zones. Health and Safety: All employees have a responsibility to abide by the safety practices and codes authorised by Katharine House Hospice. They have an equal responsibility with management for maintaining safe working practices. Confidentiality: Patient and/or staff information is confidential. It is a condition of Katharine House Hospice employment that you will not use or disclose any confidential information obtained in the course of your duty. Accuracy of Data: The accuracy of Service User information is paramount, regardless of its format (hard copy or electronic). All staff collecting and processing sensitive client information should be suitably trained to do so. All such data should be monitored for accuracy and reconciled between the user record and data held on systems that support the provision of care, any errors or omissions should be identified and corrected. Such activity should be undertaken under the guidance of the Director of Care. Working hours The post holder will be expected to work primarily Monday-Friday during the hours that department team operates which may include Bank and Public Holidays to fulfil the needs of the Service. This post requires the individual to consent to an enhanced disclosure by the Disclosure and Barring Service. Person Specification Qualifications NVQ 2 in Care – or equivalent NVQ level 3 in Care – or equivalent Experience and Knowledge One year in a health or social care setting Skills and attributes Communicates with patients and their families Is able to attend to basic patient hygiene needs Is able to assist patients to eat and drink Is able to answer the telephone, take and record messages accurately Approachable Trustworthy Team Player Motivated Flexibility Maintains a safe environment for staff and patients Ensures infection prevention measures are maintained Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal Flexible attitude Assertive nature Well organized Confident Non-judgmental Good sense of humour Self-aware #J-18808-Ljbffr