Senior Healthcare Assistant Nights (South Lakes)

• Visits will be predominately in the South Lakes area, however visits may be anywhere in our full catchment area if required by the needs of the service.
• It is essential you hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle during working hours.
• You will be entitled to claim out of pocket expenses (mileage and parking) in accordance with our policy.
• You will travel from home, with the reclaimable amount as any extra cost

• You will be required to attend the main Hospice for training and meetings as required, including one week of daytime shifts each year for reflection, appraisal and time with the wider team.

• Community Services HUB
• District Nurses
• Out-of-hours GP service

• Provide care and compassion for patients who are approaching end of life in their own homes.
• Undertake a broad range of nursing care and duties relating patients with end-of-life care needs.
• Provide care for patients in accordance with the patients care plan as defined by the District

• Follow the risk assessments completed for the patient.
• Work to the standards set out in the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers.
• Use effective interpersonal skills with patients, carers and health professionals in a professional

• Recognise changes in patients symptoms and conditions and notify the necessary on-call

• Direct patients with their own administration of regular oral medication where the patient is self

• Understand the boundaries of the HCA role in managing medications and is ready and willing to

• Makes the clinical decision to call district nursing services when patients have uncontrolled

• Manages patient distress effectively, using compassionate communication to comfort and

• In line with Hospice policy monitors the administration of medication being given by syringe

• In line with Hospice policies and best practice guidance on patient documentation, updates

• Provides emotional and practical support to patients carers or family members.
• Demonstrates safe and appropriate use of hoists and manual handling equipment, applying

• Supports patient and family at time of death and afterwards, taking necessary responsibility to

• Takes responsibility for clinical tasks and procedures they are trained in and competent to

• Participates in audits, surveys or other clinical governance activities as requested.
• Maintains IT competency in order to make full use of electronic communications and to access

• Responsible for the health, safety and well-being of patients, carers and self by being aware of

• Maintains a portfolio of professional development and participates in the St Johns Hospice

• Works according to the principles of the St Johns Hospice HCA Code of Conduct.
• Understands the philosophy and ethos behind the care provided at St Johns Hospice, and to

• Shares the responsibility within the nursing teams for delivering high quality holistic nursing care

• Is part of the multi-disciplinary care of patients.
• Liaises with internal Hospice team to update patient and family changes and incidents in a

• Acts in a responsible, professional manner at all times whilst employed by and undertaking duties

• Works outside of the South Lakes locality as required by the needs of the service.
• Works contracted weekly hours during daytime shifts within the Hospice at Home team (based

• Attends monthly night-sitting team meeting each month, either in person or via teams.
• Attends training, meetings and other events at the main Hospice as and when required.

• In addition to the specific duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description, all employees

• St Johns Hospice operates a no-smoking policy. The post holder should either be a non-smoker

• Adhere to all health, safety and fire regulations and to co-operate with the Hospice in

• Adhere to Lone Worker working practices as set out in the relevant policy documents.
• Uphold ethical and professional standards and not behave in a manner that is likely to bring the

• Promote and sustain a responsible attitude towards equal opportunities and diversity within the

• Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing registration requirements or any national, professional or

• Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing learning and development and to participate in any

Essential

• Knowledge of holistic patient care for those at end of life.
• Ability to respond appropriately to changes in patient conditions.
• Good Communication & interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of prioritising a patients care needs.
• Ability to work without direct supervision in a patients home.
• Uses own initiative.
• Good IT skills and able to use a range of software (e.g. Word, Outlook, Excel etc).
• Accurately document care given in patient documentation.
• Communicates well with information about care to carers and families.

Desirable

• Managing difficult conversations.

Essential

• Willingness to work flexibly, including unsocial hours.
• Positive attitude.
• Motivated.
• Committed to self -development.
• Mature and responsible attitude.
• Empathy and understanding.

Essential

• Full UK driving licence (manual transmission).
• Access to own vehicle during working hours (business use insurance required).

Desirable

• Lives in South Lakes or willing to be based in South Lakes for work.

Essential

• Willing to work towards satisfactory completion of Care Certificate & Hospice competency framework for HCAs.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

Desirable

• NVQ 3.
• Completed the Care Certificate.

Essential

• Recent experience of patient care at end of life.
• Experience of working in the community setting.
• Experience of working as part of a wider team.

Desirable

• Experience of working in a specialist palliative care setting.
• Experience of lone working.