Children's Palliative Care Support Worker

Children's Palliative Care Support Worker

Are you an experienced Health Care Assistant looking for an opportunity to work in a palliative care setting? You will be based in our childrens in patient unit, working alongside experienced nurses and support workers to support with end of life care, symptom management and short break stays for children with a life limiting diagnosis. You will work 10 x 12.5 hour shifts per 4 week rota, including days, nights and weekends.

Working closely with other members of the care team always acting in the best interest of the child and family.

Assist with personal care and patient observation in accordance with the care plan.

Engage the patient in a range of activities to meet their physical, social and psychological needs.

Be sensitive to patient and family needs by providing emotional support.

Act as advocate for the child and family.

Ensure accurate record keeping.

To work closely with other members of the Care Team, recognising and working within own capabilities, but always acting in the best interest of the child and family.

Following an assessment of the child and family's needs by a childrens nurse and under their supervision, provide support and care to a high standard to the child in partnership with the family in a range of settings.

Carry out/assist with patients personal clinical care and record patient observation, in accordance with their care plan.

Engage the child or young person with a range of activities that meet their identified physical, social and psychological needs.

To understand the use and care of equipment needed to deliver the child's care in the hospice or home setting.

To demonstrate sensitivity to the child and family's needs by providing a sympathetic and listening ear in a supportive manner, offering pre and post bereavement emotional support referring to the senior nurse and/or supportive care services as necessary.

Communicate factual information to patients using reassurance, tact and sensitivity, overcoming barriers to understanding (e.g. language, learning disability, learning difficulties).

To be able to act as an advocate, promoting empowerment as opposed to dependence, for children and families as appropriate, facilitating informed choice and opportunity.

To work within the designated Keech locality team and wider childrens service to maintain effective communication with children, young people and their families, colleagues and the broader multi-disciplinary team.

Liaise with relevant professionals involved in the child's care across, health, social care and education.

To be able to respond to the demands of the family in a flexible way; workload is delegated within the team to maintain a healthy work/life balance in accordance with the working time directive.

Ensure written and electronic record keeping is comprehensive, accurate and up to date written and is maintained in line with legislation and organisational standards.

Take reasonable care of the health and safety of yourself and other persons who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work and cooperate with the Hospice to ensure that statutory and departmental regulations are adhered to.

Partake in weekly planning and multi-disciplinary meetings to ensure efficient delivery of the service.

• General education (e.g. GCSEs) to grade C (5) or above.
• NVQ Trained to Level 2 and willing to work towards Level 3

• Knowledge of providing care for children with complex health care needs
• An understanding of safeguarding children IT knowledge and standard keyboard skills.
• Understanding of the role of the multi-disciplinary team
• Demonstrates an understanding of the role of the Palliative Care Support worker.
• Willing to develop clinical skills and competency relevant to the role
• Knowledge of the complex psychological demands on a family
• Knowledge in safeguarding children policies
• Familiarity in working with children with complex health care needs
• Experience in palliative care
• Experience in working in a community setting

• Demonstrates self awareness, i.e. strengths and weaknesses, personal qualities and skills.
• Able to communicate routine information that requires tact and persuasive skills, or where there may be barriers to understanding

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.