Day Hospice Health Care Assistant

**Post : Health Care Assistant**

**Hours : Part time - 22.5 hours per week**

**Contract : Permanent**

**Rate of pay: £12.58 per hour**

**Location : Butterwick Hospice, Bishop Auckland and Stockton sites**

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Day Services at Butterwick Hospice for a HCA. Our Day Hospice Services provide non-clinical, therapeutic interventions for people with a life-limiting illness, with a focus on wellbeing and enablement.

The purpose of this post is to assist with the organisation and delivery of patient care for patients who have a life limiting illness; to participate, as appropriate, in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient care in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team and to provide support for carers and families. The post requires flexible working as is based at the Bishop Auckland and Stockton Day Hospices. Within Butterwick Hospice there is an expectation that staff work flexibly across The Hospice in line with their competencies and the needs of the service.

**Main duties of the job**

Good communication skills, a high level of self-discipline and self-motivation are a must. It is essential that you are able to deal with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.

You will have energy and enthusiasm, commitment, and the ability to successfully deal with the daily challenges of community hospice care. In addition, a Day Hospice HCA will:

- Work autonomously and with colleagues to deliver a high standard of care, requesting support when required.
- Contribute to the provision of pre and post bereavement care.
- Contribute to high clinical standards and quality of care, promoting good health practices and continuity of patient care.
- Provide care and support to patients, as directed by the involved professionals, carers and families, and undertake tasks which contribute to the smooth running of The Hospice and are to the benefit of patients, carers and their families.
- Maintain accurate care records, as requested by The Hospice.
- Liaise with other professional colleagues, patient, carers and relatives and to contribute to the development and delivery of high-quality palliative care to provide a holistic service.
- Participate in the design, implementation and facilitation of patient group activities within The Day Hospice.
- Facilitate patient access to the service by processing referrals and appointments and by taking a proactive approach to filling empty sessions.
- Support patients with their essential care needs as required, while at The Hospice.
- Facilitating the patient journey by supporting the Senior Healthcare as and when needed.
- Ensure patients are safe, comfortable and supported with their needs while at The Hospice, including, but not limited to the provision of food and drinks.

**This post is deemed to require an Enhanced Level Disclosure check with the Disclosure and Barring Service as there is access to both children and vulnerable adults.**

**About us**

For four decades, Butterwick Hospice has supported local people and communities across our region. We deliver our primary objective of holistic palliative and supportive care to those suffering with progressive life limiting conditions, their families and loved ones. We provide an Adult Inpatient Unit, a Children and Young Adults Unit, Day Care Services, Home Care Services, Complementary Therapy plus Bereavement and Counselling Services.

**Personal Specification**

This person specification is a picture of the skills, knowledge and experience needed for this position. It has been used to draw up the advertisement and will be used in shortlisting and interview process.

**Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Aptitudes**

**Essential**
- Ability to maintain professional standards and excellent, patient centred care.
- Ability to understand and appreciate patients, carers and family needs.
- Ability to work under supervision

**Experience**

**Desirable**
- Experience of working in a similar role/environment, not necessarily a hospice.

**Education/qualification**

**Essential**
- NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care or willingness to work towards.
- Care certificate, or willingness to work towards.
- Commitment to continued personal/professional development.

**Desirable**

NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care.

**Personal Qualities**

**Essential**
- Ability to communicate well at all levels with colleagues, patients, families and the multi-disciplinary team.
- High personal standards, level of self-discipline and motivation.
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Caring and supportive approach to colleagues, patients, carers and the general public and a conscientious approach to work and patient care.
- Self-awareness of their own attitudes and beliefs and how this may influence interaction with others.
- Good listening and communication skills.
- Enthusiasm and willingness to learn.
- Ability to deal with confidential and sensitive information.
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