Health Care Assistants- Full or Part Time

Butterwick Hospice is seeking compassionate and committed Health Care Assistants to join our Adult Inpatient Unit. Our team provides outstanding, person‑centred care for people living with life‑limiting illness while offering vital support to their families at the times they need it most. In this role, you will make a meaningful contribution to delivering high‑quality end of life care and complex symptom management, helping every patient achieve the best possible quality of life. We have a range of full‑time and part‑time opportunities available for Health Care Assistants. If you are passionate about making a genuine difference to patients and their families, we would be delighted to hear from you.

About us: At Butterwick Hospice we believe in making every moment count. Our team provides exceptional, specialist care and support to patients and their families during challenging times. People are at our core. We offer a supportive environment with opportunities for professional growth and development and are always aiming for the highest standards and working environment. Our teams work positively together, collaborating to ensure our patients get the best care, and staff enjoy a fulfilling career knowing they make a real difference in people’s lives. Working here means being part of a community that focuses on empathy, respect and teamwork. We’re there for everyone who needs us and are on a mission to change the way society and healthcare systems care for people.

Job responsibilities:

• To work as an effective part of the multidisciplinary team assisting in the provision of a high level of Specialist palliative care under the direction of a registered nurse.
• To maintain patient confidentiality and abide by information governance standards at all times.
• To maintain a healthy and safe environment for all patients, staff and visitors and demonstrate awareness of risk management and infection prevention and control.
• To participate in agreed programmes of care ensuring that all care given is clearly and accurately documented in line within standards and seeking support from senior staff as necessary.
• To assist patients with their activities of daily living with dignity and privacy, in accordance with the person‑centred care plan, allowing them to maintain independence as appropriate.
• Following training and assessment of competence to undertake the recording of patients’ temperature, pulse, blood pressure, respirations and blood monitoring, and report to the registered nurse.
• To assist in providing a relaxed informal space for patients and families to discuss their problems.
• To undertake appropriate actions to meet the spiritual, psychological and emotional needs of the patient.
• To provide appropriate emotional support for families.
• To manage your workload/tasks as designated by the registered nurse leading the team.
• Escort patients to outpatient appointments as required.
• To actively participate in clinical audit.
• To ensure the maintenance of confidentiality, including accurate and timely records.
• To liaise with and provide relevant information to other members of the multi‑disciplinary team, both internally and externally.
• To adhere to Butterwick Hospice policies, procedures, guidelines and standards at all times and to promote these to others.
• Adopt the role of link worker as required by the hospice management team.
• Attend and participate in an annual appraisal and regular reviews of performance and objectives, identifying gaps in knowledge/skills and developing a plan to enhance service and self‑development.
• To encourage and promote the philosophy of Butterwick Hospice and present a good public image, to cooperate with all staff in maintaining good relationships with outside agencies in order to uphold the charity’s image and to win increased support for its work.
• To be able to communicate effectively with all members of the team and to develop excellent relationships with community teams as appropriate to the role.
• To participate in mandatory clinical supervision or reflective practice as necessary as directed by the AIPU leadership team.
• To undertake risk assessment and management to ensure that staff, families and visitors are safe.
• To be aware of the adult and child protection procedures and policy within Butterwick Hospice, to attend all safeguarding training and to adhere to the Local Safeguarding Procedures at all times.
• To participate in the induction of new staff to the department and wider hospice as necessary.
• To support student nurses during their placement at Butterwick Hospice and work alongside them as directed by the registered nurse.
• To be able to carry out effective complaint, accident and incident reporting.
• To play an active part in the clinical governance framework within the hospice.
• To be aware of the Infection Prevention and Control policies and work in accordance with IPC procedures always.
• To be able to support the patient and the family at the time of death, respecting an individual’s beliefs, community, culture and religion.
• To be aware of, and responsive to, the changing nature of the hospice and adopt a flexible and pro‑active approach to work.
• To undertake administration changes in accordance with hospice policy.

Education & Training:

• Attend all mandatory training courses such as Resuscitation, Moving and Handling, and Health and Safety training.
• Access in‑house training programme to further develop your palliative care knowledge.
• Attend and complete relevant Palliative and End of Life Training.
• Attend and complete clinical skills training including medicines management.
• Maintain own Portfolio, and complete core competencies.

Skills & Abilities:

• Good written and verbal communication skills including listening are essential.
• Good IT skills, specifically Microsoft Word and Excel.
• An ability to manage challenging situations.
• Ability to work on own initiative and know when to elevate any changes to patient conditions to a named nurse (RN) when necessary.

Other:

• Ability to work shifts including nights, weekends and bank holidays.

Qualifications:

• Minimum level NVQ level 2 or 3 in Health & Social Care.
• A good standard of general education.

Personal Attributes & Key Skills:

• Self‑awareness and an ability to recognize stress and use coping mechanisms.
• Flexible, approachable and trustworthy.
• Commitment and an interest in learning and personal development.

Experience:

• An understanding of person‑centred care approaches.
• Experience of working with patients with life‑limiting illness or end‑of‑life care.
• Understanding of infection prevention and control.
• Understanding of the importance and adherence to patient confidentiality.
• Understanding of safeguarding and preventing patients from abuse.

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.