Bank Healthcare Assistant

Job summary

We are looking for a healthcare assistantwith a passion for palliative care to work as part of our multidisciplinaryteam based in Winsford. An opportunity to join the bank for our ten bedded InCare Unit and Day Hospice. If you want the time to give compassionate patientcentred care as part of a small multidisciplinary team please apply.

To assist nursingstaff in ensuring that the highest possible standards of patient care, whichreflects the philosophy, ethos and behaviours of St Luke's (Cheshire) Hospiceand work within the policy and procedure framework as adopted by the Hospicebased on the NMC Code of Conduct and care certificate.

Main duties of the job

Throughguidance from qualified staff, be able to assist patients with all aspects ofdaily living, acknowledging their personal preferences, rights and choices andpromoting privacy, dignity and respect for personal values and identity. Beaware of the communication needs of patients and significant others and use arange of effective interpersonal skills to aid communication. Becomeaware of the recognised grief reactions to terminal illness in patients andcarers in order to be able to offer care and support. Recognisechanges in patients, both physical and emotional and report them to qualifiedstaff. Followingappropriate training, to safely undertake the following duties under guidanceand supervision of a qualified nurse or therapist:- Assistin the safe delivery of medications Cathetercare Gastrostomyfeeds and administration of feeds via the gastrostomy tube Temperatureobservation during blood transfusions Simplemassage of patients Participatein essential ward cleaning duties. Tobe supportive to volunteers, students and staff on duty in the Hospice. Ensureconfidentiality in all aspects of patient care, including the safe storage ofinformation. Tohave a welcoming approach to patients and visitors, and assist in ensuring asafe and comfortable environment. Assistin the monitoring and maintenance of a healthy, safe and secure workingenvironment ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements forpatients, visitors and self.

About us

At St Lukes Hospice, our ethos is one of service; being of service to our local people and community is central to all that we do. We believe the most important privilege any person can have is the opportunity to comfort and support ones fellow human beings in their hour of need. This spirit of service at St Lukes extends not only to the patients, but also to family and friends, and we welcome diversity.

The founding members of St Lukes Hospice were driven by the same ideals that inspire us today; to reach out a warm and caring hand to those in need and to help relieve their suffering of mind, spirit or body. The founder of the Hospice movement, the late Dame Cicely Saunders, wanted hospices to remain a beacon of hope with a message of care and community. St Lukes is a lively and vibrant Hospice that has a very powerful reason to be here.

St Lukes is an incredibly inspiring place to work and volunteer. You will be joining a passionate team, dedicated to delivering care and support to local people and their families.

We all share in the sense of privilege and honour that comes from being involved in a local organisation doing such important work and each day we look for new and innovative ways to make a difference to the wider community.

Each member of staff is highly valued at St Lukes

Job description

Job responsibilities

J OBTITLE: Health care assistant

REPORTS TO: WardManager/Sister (In Care)

K EY WORKINGRELATIONSHIPS: WardManager/ Sister/ Staff nurse

PURPOSE

To assist nursingstaff in ensuring that the highest possible standards of patient care, whichreflects the philosophy, ethos and behaviours of St Lukes (Cheshire) Hospiceand work within the policy and procedure framework as adopted by the Hospicebased on the NMC Code of Conduct and care certificate.

KeyTasks and Responsibilities

Clinical Tasks

Throughguidance from qualified staff, be able to assist patients with all aspects ofdaily living, acknowledging their personal preferences, rights and choices andpromoting privacy, dignity and respect for personal values and identity.

Beaware of the communication needs of patients and significant others and use arange of effective interpersonal skills to aid communication.

Becomeaware of the recognised grief reactions to terminal illness in patients andcarers in order to be able to offer care and support.

Recognisechanges in patients, both physical and emotional and report them to qualifiedstaff.

Followingappropriate training, to safely undertake the following duties under guidanceand supervision of a qualified nurse or therapist:-

-Assistin the safe delivery of medications

-Cathetercare

-Gastrostomyfeeds and administration of feeds via the gastrostomy tube

-Temperatureobservation during blood transfusions

-Simplemassage of patients

Participatein essential ward cleaning duties.

Tobe supportive to volunteers, students and staff on duty in the Hospice.

Ensureconfidentiality in all aspects of patient care, including the safe storage ofinformation.

Tohave a welcoming approach to patients and visitors, and assist in ensuring asafe and comfortable environment.

Assistin the monitoring and maintenance of a healthy, safe and secure workingenvironment ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements forpatients, visitors and self.

Educational

Toincrease the knowledge of risks and cross infection in patient care and workaccordingly.

Participatein role specific statutory & mandatory teaching sessions organised forstaff and volunteers

Followappropriate training to act as a mentor for other nursing assistants from othercare settings.

Introducevolunteers and visitors to the layout of the Hospice.

Beaware of the written policies and procedures of St Lukes (Cheshire) Hospice inorder to maintain a safe environment.

Takeresponsibility for own learning and development by recognising and takingadvantage of all opportunities to learn. Complete the care certificate withsupport from staff within 3 months

Personnel

Tofollow agreed policies of St Lukes (Cheshire) Hospice with regard to sicknessand absence, grievance and disciplinary procedures.

Completeself-certification forms following an episode of sickness or absence.

Reportto Senior Nurse on duty.

Participatein ward meetings.

Recognisethe potentiality of stress creating aspects of the work, accept and givesupport to others.

Assistin maintaining a close working relationship with volunteers

Thisjob description is not exhaustive and is subject to review in conjunction withthe post holder and according to future changes/developments in the service.

Personal Development

Thepost holder will be expected to maintain high professional standards and keepabreast of professional issues and best practice in their area of specialism.The Hospice will support relevant education and development opportunitieswhenever possible and as agreed as part of personal development discussions andto meet core skills requirements and competencies .

Health & Safety & Security

Under health andsafety legislation, each individual has a legal responsibility for their ownwelfare and for the health and safety of others and to co-operate inmaintaining their place of work in a tidy and safe condition, therebyminimising risk. The Hospice has a Health & Safety Policy which applies to allstaff.

Similarly, it iseach persons responsibility to ensure a secure environment and bring anybreaches of security to the attention of their manager.

Equal Opportunities

St LukesCheshire Hospice has given its full commitment to the adoption and promotion ofthe key principles of equal opportunities contained within current legislationand St Lukes Cheshire Hospice Equality & Diversity Policy.

Confidentiality

In the course ofyour duties, you will have access to confidential material about members ofstaff, volunteers, other hospice business and patients. The Hospice has Data Protection Policy whichapplies to all staff.

St LukesCheshire Hospice iscommitted to safeguarding adults and children and expects all staff to share inthis commitment. Staff have a responsibility to ensure that they are aware ofspecific duties relating to their role and should familiarise themselves withthe Hospices Safeguarding Policies. Safeguarding training is mandatory for allstaff.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Educated to Level 2 and/or equivalent working

Desirable

NVQ in care Care certificate

Knowledge

Essential

Basic understanding of Hospice values and ethos Some understanding of palliative/terminal care Good understanding of holistic care for patient and family

Desirable

A willingness to learn and increase knowledge base

Other Requirements

Essential

Enhanced DBS disclosure Flexibility to work as part of a team that provides 24hr care 365 days of the year

Skills and Abilities

Essential

Excellent interpersonal & communication skills both verbal and written Ability to empathise and treat people with dignity and respect Basic hands on nursing skills

Desirable

Willingness to develop skills and abilities to accommodate the changing needs of the service

Personal Attributes

Essential

Able to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team Shows compassion and treats people with dignity, respect and kindness Flexible approach to work Organised and reliable Self aware and cares for own wellbeing

Experience

Essential

Experience of working in a care environment Experience of working as part of a team

Desirable

Working in a palliative care setting

---