Multiskilled Healthcare Assistant

The Hospice to Home service is a 7-day service. You will be expected to work 12-hours shifts, 8am 8pm with an hour break. While we do not currently deliver care in the community at night, our ambition is to reintroduce a night service as part of our new 5-year strategy. You should therefore be able to be flexible to meet future service demands. The role will involve working as part of the wider hospice services and collaboratively with district nursing teams to deliver individualised care to patients in their own homes. As this post is based out in the community applicants must be able to travel across the North Devon area without reliance upon public transport.

In this role you will be responsible for:

Providing high quality, holistic care to end of life patients in their own home in line with the care plan and risk assessment as defined by the Community Palliative Care Registered Nurse

Working closely with the hospice team and the patients District Nurse and GP to support coordinated care

Participating in the provision of care to facilitate patient / carer choice regarding palliative and / or end of life care

Providing emotional support to patients, carers and family members

Assisting patients with daily living activities in accordance with their individual plan of care i.e. eating and drinking, washing and dressing, nail and hair care, toileting, during day visits and night sits

Supporting patients to take their medication as prescribed and in line with competency

Assisting patients to maintain comfort and independence in line with planned care

Contacting and assisting other professionals as required

Undertaking delegated tasks from a Complementary Therapist i.e. hand massage, relaxation techniques as per competency

Assisting with any after death care in agreement with the family/carer

Establishing and maintaining effective professional communication with patients, carers and professional colleagues

Being aware of the changing needs of patients and their carers throughout the illness trajectory and the need for frequent reassessment, alerting other professionals accordingly

Maintaining effective verbal and written communications with members of health and social services external to the hospice team

Maintaining accurate, legible patient records

Acting in a manner that respects and empowers the patient, remaining non-judgemental in your approach

Being aware of the importance of adhering to specific spiritual, cultural needs

Maintaining patient confidentiality

Handing over patient information appropriately to the hospice team and other health / social care professionals on a daily basis

Reporting any concerns to the service manager

Attending monthly meetings, supervision and educational updates to ensure own capability to practice

Being committed to own Continuous Professional Development and maintaining your clinical competencies

Being aware of the lone worker policy and adhering to the recommendations to maintain personal safety

Being alert to the health, safety and wellbeing of self, colleagues, patients and carers and complying with the hospices Health & Safety Policy

Using resources economically and effectively

Maintaining and ensuring equipment is in good working order, enabling you to work efficiently

Respecting the rights, privacy, dignity and property of the patient and their carers at all times

Ensuring that you follow good infection control practice at all times and that you are familiar with infection control policies, procedures, and guidance relevant to your area of work

Understanding your role in the safeguarding of adults and children by being able to identify risks, and recognise signs of harm, abuse or neglect including how to report concerns and take immediate action to protect a person at risk of harm or abuse

We want to provide outstanding care and support to everyone in North Devon who is impacted by a life limiting illness and together we can make this happen. Everyone is a story and the ending matters. We are proud to support and care for patients and their families at their most vulnerable time. We want to make it possible for more people, who wish to stay at home, to be cared for in familiar surrounds and with friends and family around them.

Experience

Qualifications