Hospice at Home Health Care Assistant (HCA)- Newark & Sherwood in Newark on Trent

We are expanding our Hospice at Home service and are seeking compassionate, committed people to join our growing team. This role offers the opportunity to support patients and families in their own homes as the service extends across North Nottinghamshire. The Hospice at Home service provides care for palliative patients seven days a week, from 7am to 9pm. Shifts include a mix of shorter shifts and 12-hour shifts, working on set rolling 4 week rota.

Main duties of the job

• To provide individual high-quality care for patients in their own homes, including appropriate support for families, in line with hospice policy and agreed care plans.
• Care may include supporting patients while symptoms are assessed and brought under control, caring for the dying, supportive psychosocial and spiritual care in line with any agreed plan, enabling patients independence and supporting discharge home.
• Working under the direction of a registered nurse and as part of the Beaumond House team and the End-of-Life Care Together Integrated Hub you will help maintain the standard of excellence, so the philosophy and values of Beaumond House Hospice Care are met.

About us

Beaumond House Hospice supports patients and their loved ones to live as fully as possible across North Nottinghamshire. Ensuring our communities receive the care and comfort they need, free of charge, when every moment matters. Our Care is provided in people's homes across our communities and at the Hospice in Newark. We treat every person with respect. We deliver compassionate, professional care that supports physical, psychological, and spiritual needs. We look for staff and volunteers who protect dignity, safety, and confidentiality. Beaumond House Hospice Care is a registered charity.

Job responsibilities

• Work under the direct supervision of the RN and in line with the patient’s care plan, providing care to meet fundamental health care needs.
• This includes assisting patients with toileting, personal care and supporting patients to eat and drink as independently as possible whilst maintaining privacy and dignity at all times.
• After induction and when assessed as competent, undertake visits independently to provide delegated care in line with the written care plan, with clear escalation routes to the RN or Hospice at Home Lead.
• Support patients with medication once you have completed medicines support training and been assessed as competent in line with the hospice medicines policy.
• Prepare and serve simple meals, snacks and drinks for patients who need this support, following hospice policies on food hygiene, storage, allergens and patient preferences.
• Provide continuing care for patients and families following death.
• Assist in care after death, respecting spiritual, cultural and religious needs.
• Complete all required documentation and communicate the verification of expected death promptly to the RN, GP, the Integrated Hub and any other relevant professionals.
• Ensure safe custody of the patient’s property and follow hospice procedures for recording and handing over valuables.
• Take responsibility for patient safety and ensure any care you give is in line with the training you have received.
• Act in a non-judgemental way and treat every patient as an individual, respecting their choices, wishes, customs, values and beliefs.
• Establish the preferred method of communication for the patient and their family and communicate effectively and appropriately with patients from diverse backgrounds.
• Make accurate records at the point of care using the hospice’s records and report relevant information directly to the RN.
• Contribute to the continuous assessment of patients by reporting any deterioration, change in condition or concern to the RN.
• Attend team meetings and other touch points such as one to ones and after death reviews.
• Establish and maintain good working relationships with other staff members and volunteers.
• Assist in the orientation and induction of new staff, students, bank and agency staff.
• Attend relevant study days and courses, including mandatory training, to gain and maintain the knowledge and skills set out in the knowledge and competency framework.
• Take an active role in the prevention of cross infection, understanding and applying the principles of infection control in accordance with hospice policy.
• Carry out activities that ensure a safe environment for patients, those close to them and staff.
• Assist in monitoring, storing and disposal of equipment and hazardous materials in line with health and safety guidelines.

General Duties

• Work collaboratively and cooperatively with your Beaumond House colleagues and End of Life Care Together Alliance partners.
• Respect confidentiality in all areas of Beaumond House.
• Abide by the Health and Safety at Work Act and comply with all fire safety procedures.
• Work within Beaumond House policies and procedures.
• Use all equipment appropriately and in accordance with training given.
• Participate in and contribute to team meetings.
• Always behave in a professional manner, reflecting and maintaining Beaumond House values.
• Work flexibly across the area of delivery in North Nottinghamshire.

Skills, Experience and Attributes Required

• At least two years working in a similar role.
• NVQ or equivalent or a commitment to work towards a qualification in care or end of life care.
• Experience in caring for palliative patients or relevant transferable experience.
• Ability to work as part of a team and respect for all individuals.
• Flexibility, excellent listening skills and ability to build rapport with others.
• Willingness to complete medicines support training and food hygiene training.
• Ability to communicate effectively in spoken and written English.
• Driving licence and access to a suitable vehicle with business insurance.

What we ask of you

• That you act in a manner at all times which supports the Vision and Values of Beaumond House.
• That you have a positive and proactive approach.
• That you are confident and trustworthy.

30 days holiday, plus Bank Holidays and the option to buy or sell annual leave. Blue Light Card discounts (with membership). Free DBS check and uniform. Occupational health services with pre-employment screening and Hep B vaccination. Access to Mental Health First Aiders & Freedom to Speak Up Champions. Ongoing training and mandatory updates during working hours. Clinical supervision and access to senior clinical support. Clear role boundaries and realistic caseloads. Mileage reimbursement for community work travel. Access to wellbeing support and counselling services. Supportive leadership with regular check-ins.

We can offer

• Passionate teamworking with quality at the heart of everything we do.
• Personal development - paid induction and ongoing training.
• Opportunities to volunteer and engage with the wider hospice community.
• A supportive and inclusive working environment.
• Access to clinical supervision and senior support.
• Opportunities for personal development.

Please note: All roles are subject to receipt of satisfactory references and Disclosure & Barring Service checks. We reserve the right to close the advert at any time; therefore, we encourage applicants to apply as soon as possible. This Job Description is intended as a guide only and is not an exhaustive list of duties. It is subject to periodic review with the post holder.

Our Vision is to achieve Outstanding Hospice Care, enabling our local communities to live well and die well.

Our Values (Guiding Beliefs) are: PERSON CENTRED, WE GO THE EXTRA MILE; VALUE & SUPPORT OUR PEOPLE; OPENNESS & HONESTY; COLLABORATION; EFFICIENCY, CARING, PROFESSIONAL.

Qualifications

• NVQ or equivalent or a commitment to work towards a qualification in care or end of life care.

Skills & Attributes

• Good telephone and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team and respect for all individuals.
• Flexibility, excellent listening skills and ability to build rapport with others.
• Willingness to complete medicines support training and food hygiene training.
• Ability to communicate effectively in spoken and written English.
• Driving licence and continued access to a suitable vehicle with business insurance.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Outlook as well as Healthcare systems such as SystmOne are desirable.

Experience

• At least two years working in a similar role.
• Experience in caring for palliative patients or relevant transferable experience.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.