Health Care Assistant in Newry

Hours: 24 hours per week

Salary: £25,181 - £25,674 (Current Agenda for Pay Scale) (Band 3) pro rata

Location: ST John's House, Newry

Reports To: Inpatient Services Manager

Closing Date: 9am on Monday 1 December 2025

Main Purpose of Job

As a member of the Health Care Assistant team, you will work as part of a Multi-Disciplinary Team in providing holistic specialist palliative care to patients and families within the inpatient unit.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist the patient as required with fundamental nursing care in all aspects of the activities of daily living as delegated by registered nursing staff for example washing, toileting, eating and drinking.
• Undertake clinical duties as required in the unit, which have been delegated by registered nursing staff. These may include venepuncture, simple dressings and physiological observations.
• Communicate effectively, having an empathetic and professional manner when liaising with patients, relatives and colleagues.
• Observe, report, and document any changes in patients' condition, nutrition or behaviour including physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual condition.
• Be aware of key palliative care symptoms, notifying the relevant multidisciplinary team members in the event of emergency or deterioration.
• Build and maintain trusting relationships with patients, (and with the patient's loved ones) demonstrating empathy and promoting the hospice values at all times.
• Undertake duties which are required to ensure excellent standards of hygiene and prevention of cross infection.
• Comply with all policies in relation to Infection Prevention and Control.
• Where appropriate provide information and guidance on the services/ benefits available to the patient and assist them in accessing same, signposting where necessary, to the required service(s) – or to the relevant person in the wider multi-disciplinary team to enable this.
• Work within the limits of own competences and responsibility and will refer issues beyond these limits to registered nursing staff.
• Ensure equipment and stock levels are maintained and assist in the ordering and documentation of same.
• Promote and be an advocate for Evora Hospice at all times.

Professional Responsibilities

• Work in accordance with Evora Hospice policies and procedures.
• Participate in clinical supervision and the annual performance review process to identify opportunities for learning and development.
• Participate in mandatory training as required and be willing to undertake further learning and development to meet the changing needs of the service.
• Actively participate in team meetings and share learnings to the benefit of all.
• Fully participate in all workplace audits, assist in the development of the service, in order to improve patient outcomes.
• Participate in the induction and training of new members of staff, students and others.

Reporting & Records

• Maintain accurate records (manually/ electronically) as requested, ensuring all documentation is legible, accurate, written in black ink and clearly signed and time dated.
• Participate in patient hand-over reports and at all times respect the confidential nature of the work involved.
• Report accidents/incidents/complaints immediately to the nurse in charge and assist in the investigation of same, both verbally and in writing as required.
• Adhere to all relevant SAHS' policies, including Confidentiality and Data Protection (GDPR).

Health & Safety

Under the Health and Safety at Work (NI Order 1978), you are required to take all reasonable steps while at work to ensure your own health and safety and safety of those who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work. You are also required to co-operate fully with regard to the implementation of health and safety arrangements and should not interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety or welfare at work. You must familiarise yourself with and comply with all health and safety policies which are relevant to your area of work.

Equal Opportunities

SAHS operates an equal opportunities policy in accordance with the Fair Employment (NI) Acts 1976 and 1989, the Sex Discrimination (NI) Order 1976, the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and the Race Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1997. All employees have a responsibility to be familiar with policies on equal opportunities and to help ensure a working environment in which the dignity of all fellow employees is respected.

Values & Behaviours

All employees of Southern Area Hospice Services are required to promote and support its mission and values. Core Values: Dignity, Compassion, Integrity, Innovation, Excellence and Equality.

Employees are expected to:

• Always operate with honesty and integrity.
• Show respect for and a sensitivity towards all those you meet in your working day.
• Always maintain the highest level of confidentiality.
• Actively develop self and others where possible.
• Participate in corporate or fund-raising events to enable all employees to make a personal contribution to the success of the charity.
• Operate with tact, patience and diplomacy and maintain a sensitive and professional approach towards colleagues and service users.

This job description will be reviewed in the light of new developments. It should not be regarded as restrictive or definitive but acts as a broad guide to the demands of the post.

Job Specification

Essential Criteria

• NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care (or equivalent).
• Applicants must have a minimum of 3 years' relevant experience.
• Ability to demonstrate excellent standards and practices of delivering holistic care.
• Knowledge of specialist palliative care and the responsibilities of the post.
• Excellent communication, record keeping, organisational and time management skills.
• Motivated, enthusiastic, and committed to team working in the interests of positive patient care.
• Flexible, reliable, and responsive to change.
• Ability to foster a culture of openness and transparency.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and be sensitive to various situations.
• A full understanding of confidentiality practices.
• Maintain high standards of personal integrity and accountability.

Desirable Criteria

• NVQ Level 4 in Health & Social Care (or equivalent).
• Experience of working with patients with palliative care needs.