Health Care Assistant 18hrs per week-Fixed term 1 yr-(NVQ Level 3)

The post holder will be a member of the Hospice at Home team and will undertake a broad range of duties relating to the care of patients with diverse end stage palliative conditions within their own homes, primarily working night shifts. The post holder will provide practical and emotional help and support for named patients at home through the final stages of their illness and into bereavement as directed by the Registered Manager, Head of Clinical Services, and the patients Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Main duties of the job:

• Work under the direct and indirect supervision of the Registered Manager and the Clinical Nurse Specialist, in the delivery of quality holistic nursing care for patients in their own homes.
• Deal with specific needs of palliative care patients and be aware of the needs of their friends and relatives, delivering appropriate care in line with care plans.
• Recognise and feedback any changes in patient condition and where required take appropriate action to support care and treatment under the direction of a trained nurse.
• Ensure effective communication with staff and patients and refer questions from patients, relatives, and carers to the appropriate personnel and communicate answers.
• Record appropriate information in patient records in accordance with legal and professional requirements.
• Ensure familiarity with the patients' capabilities and needs to assist them with their activities of daily living, including:
• Care of patients with continence problems. Assist with toileting needs.
• Assist patients as required with drinking and eating.
• Ensure patients' comfort and be aware of the needs for preventing pressure area problems.
• Assist with the safe moving of patients and to mobilise with appropriate aids, within Hospice of the Valleys manual handling policies and guidelines.
• Provide elements of personal care (e.g. care of hair, nails, shaving) where the completion of which will support the patients' sense of well-being and dignity.
• Assist in providing occupational activities as necessary.
• Be with the anxious/restless patient and sit with an unconscious patient.
• Assist with administration of patients' medication in line with Hospice of the Valleys policy.
• If in a patient's home when they die, assist with last offices and support other nursing staff with the care of the deceased.
• Be aware of, and take into account, the physical, emotional, spiritual and social needs of the patient, their relatives and carers, recognising own levels of competence and referring on as necessary.
• Help promote and maintain an environment that is safe and conducive to meeting the needs of patients, their relatives, and carers.
• Promote and maintain dignity and privacy at all times.

Education:

• Attend all mandatory and statutory training as required by the Hospice.
• Attend study sessions as agreed by the Registered Manager and Deputy Head of Clinical Services to update knowledge, obtain new skills and support and share experiences to ensure best practice is maintained.

Clinical Effectiveness:

• Must possess a Level 3 NVQ in Health & Social Care. Must be registered with Social Care Wales and maintain registration.
• Abide by and work to the policies and procedures of Hospice of the Valleys.
• Participate in annual appraisal, working in partnership with the line manager to identify gaps in knowledge/skills and develop a plan to enhance service and self-development.
• Manage clinical duties and resources effectively to ensure the smooth running of the service, working alone for periods, adhering to the Hospice of the Valleys Lone Worker Policy.
• Attend clinical supervision, either on a one-to-one basis, or as part of a group in accordance with Hospice of the Valleys policy and guidelines from Social Care Wales.

At all times to maintain the following standards:

• Be approachable.
• Trustworthy.
• Motivated to deliver high quality care.
• Supportive to the patient, their family, carers and colleagues.
• Demonstrate motivation and initiative.
• Ability to work autonomously or as part of a team.
• Flexible to meet service needs.
• Non-judgemental and sensitive to the patients' culture, political views, sexuality, religious beliefs, hobbies and interests.

Health and Safety:

All employees have a responsibility under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 to protect and promote their own health and that of others in the workplace.

No Smoking Policy:

Hospice of the Valleys operates a No Smoking Policy.

Data Protection:

All employees are required to uphold the confidentiality of all information records in whatever format, encountered in the course of employment and after it. All employees are bound by the requirements of the Data Protection Act when, in the course of their employment, they deal with information records relating to individuals.

It is the aim of Hospice of the Valleys to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of sex, race, colour, nationality, or ethnic origins, or is placed at a disadvantage by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable. To this end, Hospice of the Valleys has an Equal Opportunities Policy and it is for each employee to contribute to its success.

This job description is not exhaustive and may be amended following appropriate consultation.

Person Specification:

• Ability to participate in 24hr/7day shift rotation. (Predominantly, but not exclusively, the work will be nights).
• Valid UK driving licence and regular use of a car.
• Qualifications: NVQ 3 in Health & Social Care, Registered with Social Care Wales, Administration of Medicines Certificate.
• Good communication skills - both written and verbal.
• Calm under pressure.
• Enthusiastic with can do approach.
• Able to use own initiative.
• Ability to respond to changing situations.
• Team player.
• Evidence of completing patient care plans.
• Desire to increase knowledge & skills within palliative care.
• Ability to recognise causes of stress both individual and professional and know how to initiate appropriate action.
• Evidence of further study undertaken in relation to palliative care needs.
• Minimum 2 years experience in a health care setting.
• Community working experience.
• Specialist palliative care 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 (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.