Hospice@Home Health Care Assistant

Great Oaks Hospice provides quality end of life care and support services, free of charge, for adults, and their families, in the community.

As we grow our services to meet the needs of our community, we are seeking to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced Health Care Assistant into a key role in our Hospice@Home team.

Successful candidates will need to work flexibly in the community, providing social, emotional, physiological and wider-wellbeing care to our patients.

If you are looking for a new, fulfilling role and hold an NVQ Level 2/3 or Care Certificate in Health Care or equivalent; have 2 or more years experience in a palliative/End of Life Care setting; and are looking for a fulfilling role, we would like to hear from you.

Hospice at Home provides skilled nursing care to patients and their families within their own home or usual care environment for specific periods of time. The Health Care Assistant works under the direction of the Hospice@Home Lead, who establishes the care needs of the patient and family from the District Nurse in their capacity as the keyworker.

The Health Care Assistant provides quality care that encompasses physical, emotional, and wider well-being of the patient plus appropriate and timely support to their family and those affected by the situation.

Great Oaks Hospice is located in Coleford, Gloucestershire. We are a charity and our team provide end of life care services, free of charge, for adults, and their families, across the Forest of Dean Community.

Our mission is to provide the best care and support for everyone when they need it most and working with our staff, volunteers, community, supporters and partners we aspire to be the most trusted provider of hospice care and support for our community.

Overview of Responsibilities

• Within the home environment and as a Lone Worker, to:
• Follow policies procedures and guidelines as per Hospice at Home Handbook
• Work in accordance with Lone Worker Policy
• Recognise and report limitations of own professional competence/experience and personal living standards that may differ from those in receipt of care
• Recognise the need and undertake any training identified via Line Management and/or annual appraisal
• Be aware of risk to self and others under Health and Safety Regulations
• Verbally report any accident or unintentional incident as soon as possible followed by written report
• Be aware of Out of Hours Procedures when seeking advice and/or support
• Respect people’s personal choices for lifestyle and living arrangements
• Work collaboratively and constructively in line with our vision, mission and strategy
• Be proactive and flexible in your contribution to the promotion of our services

• Establish and maintain effective communication with patients, relatives and carers as part of their receipt of End-of-Life Care
• Be aware of the role of all personnel within the wider multi-disciplinary team including community staff, social services, hospital professionals, the specialist palliative care team and other agencies
• Maintain regular professional contact with Community Services Manager and Hospice at Home Lead
• Establish and maintain communication with individuals and groups about difficult or complex matters

• Driver’s licence required to carry out home visits; hospice pool car available for this.
• Occupational Health screening is required for this role.
• Flexibility within the rota to meet the needs of the organisation

• Awareness of Ambitions for Palliative and End of Life Care and the Gloucestershire End of Life Care Strategy
• Competent in personal care to very sick patients
• Awareness of changes in condition and possible need for symptom control
• Awareness of infection control issues
• Knowledge of evidence-based care
• Clear and concise documentation skills
• Multi-disciplinary Team Working

• NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent
• Care Certificate in Health Care

• Experience in palliative/End of Life Care within a community setting such as:
• Community nurse service
• Community hospital
• Be able to work independently without direct supervision
• Further experience in any of the following:
• Elderly Care
• Neurological care
• Stroke Care
• General Medical Care
• Chronic Disease Management

• Good interpersonal skills
• Effective team worker
• Flexible, innovative, and motivated
• Insight into the needs of the patient group
• Holistic approach to care
• Professional manner
• Emotional maturity

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£26,344 a year
Paid pro-rata at an hourly rate of £13.51