Bank Hospice Support Worker

Job summary
We are looking to expand our dedicated Bank Hospice at Home team, so if you are able to work flexibly, commit to a minimum of 20 hours availability per month and are passionate about person-centred end-of-life care, we would love to hear from you. The Hospice Support Worker will work as part of a palliative care team, to care for a patient and their families within their own home in Northumberland. The role will be to deliver clinical and personal care, and support patients with palliative/end-of-life care needs. Although the post holder receives support and supervision from registered nurses the post holder will be expected to work unsupervised in the patients usual place of residence complying with all relevant Hospice and Clinical guidelines
Hospice Support Workers are integral members of HospiceCare and the community nursing team providing clinical and personal care to patients with complex palliative care/ end of life needs.
Main duties of the job
The Hospice Support Worker will work as part of a palliative care team, to care for a patient and their families within their own home in Northumberland. The role will be to deliver clinical and personal care, and support patients with palliative/end-of-life care needs. Although the post holder receives support and supervision from registered nurses the post holder will be expected to work unsupervised in the patients usual place of residence complying with all relevant Hospice and Clinical guidelines
Hospice Support Workers are integral members of HospiceCare and the community nursing team providing clinical and personal care to patients with complex palliative care/ end of life needs.
Hospice Support Workers have to adapt to enable them to provide care within different environments and need an understanding of common health problems in order that they can contribute to patient and family care, support and monitoring.
About us
HospiceCare North Northumberland is a local independent palliative charity serving a population of around 63,000 people. We provide high-quality end of-life-care in patients homes to the communities of North Northumberland. We also provide emotional and practical care and support to adults and their families, who are living with a life-limiting illness requiring palliative input, through our hospice at home, bereavement support, and dementia support services. Our care is delivered free at the point of need.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Responsibilities:
The tasks, skill and duties of the Hospice Support Worker are described under the following sub-headings.
Communication Skills Communication with patients, relatives, colleagues and Senior nursing staff at the Hospice to ensure the continuity of patient care. Listen to patients, their families and friends about their concerns related to end of life, and provide information and support as appropriate or escalate any concerns to senior staff. To identify and respond to any communication difficulties or barriers such as language/sensory problems/cognitive impairment. Work with patients, their families and friends in a sensitive and flexible manner, demonstrating awareness of the impact of death, dying and bereavement and recognising that their priorities and ability to communicate may vary over time. Communicate with tact and diplomacy with people who may be angry and upset and the ability to manage unpredictable and/or volatile situations effectively. Communicate with clients for whom English is not the first language, those who have communication/language difficulties and/or those who have cognitive impairment. Maintain records of care delivery and documentation within care plans, including the use of our electronic care planning system. Ensure confidentiality at all times.
Symptom Management, Maintaining Comfort and Wellbeing
The performance of personal care tasks and clinical interventions delegated by registered nurses including simple dressings, catheter care, peg feeding, prompting of medication.
Under the direction of a Registered Nurse follow all care plans implemented for that patient.
Recognise and adhere to professional boundaries seeking support where appropriate.
The delivery of personal care and support to patients with a life limiting/terminal illness and their families including the provision of emotional support and using own initiative in crisis situation.
The safe moving and handling of patients and inanimate loads including safe use of appropriate equipment/aids. Attend all mandatory safe handling training and adhere to the health and Safety policy of HospiceCare North Northumberland Hospice at Home To safely and correctly prompt, assist and/or administer medication. Assist patients to maintain quality of life.
Administrative/General
Report all incidents, accidents or concerns to the Deputy Head of Care via the incident reporting system Adhere to Hospice policies at all times Attend statutory and mandatory training as and when required, including attendance at Hospice Organisational induction day.
Awareness of vulnerable adults procedures and the detection of potentially abusive situations
To participate in continuing personal development.
Attend 1-1 and appraisal when requested.
Attend Hospice at Home team meetings where required.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Responsibilities:
The tasks, skill and duties of the Hospice Support Worker are described under the following sub-headings.
Communication Skills Communication with patients, relatives, colleagues and Senior nursing staff at the Hospice to ensure the continuity of patient care. Listen to patients, their families and friends about their concerns related to end of life, and provide information and support as appropriate or escalate any concerns to senior staff. To identify and respond to any communication difficulties or barriers such as language/sensory problems/cognitive impairment. Work with patients, their families and friends in a sensitive and flexible manner, demonstrating awareness of the impact of death, dying and bereavement and recognising that their priorities and ability to communicate may vary over time. Communicate with tact and diplomacy with people who may be angry and upset and the ability to manage unpredictable and/or volatile situations effectively. Communicate with clients for whom English is not the first language, those who have communication/language difficulties and/or those who have cognitive impairment. Maintain records of care delivery and documentation within care plans, including the use of our electronic care planning system. Ensure confidentiality at all times.
Symptom Management, Maintaining Comfort and Wellbeing
The performance of personal care tasks and clinical interventions delegated by registered nurses including simple dressings, catheter care, peg feeding, prompting of medication.
Under the direction of a Registered Nurse follow all care plans implemented for that patient.
Recognise and adhere to professional boundaries seeking support where appropriate.
The delivery of personal care and support to patients with a life limiting/terminal illness and their families including the provision of emotional support and using own initiative in crisis situation.
The safe moving and handling of patients and inanimate loads including safe use of appropriate equipment/aids. Attend all mandatory safe handling training and adhere to the health and Safety policy of HospiceCare North Northumberland Hospice at Home To safely and correctly prompt, assist and/or administer medication. Assist patients to maintain quality of life.
Administrative/General
Report all incidents, accidents or concerns to the Deputy Head of Care via the incident reporting system Adhere to Hospice policies at all times Attend statutory and mandatory training as and when required, including attendance at Hospice Organisational induction day.
Awareness of vulnerable adults procedures and the detection of potentially abusive situations
To participate in continuing personal development.
Attend 1-1 and appraisal when requested.
Attend Hospice at Home team meetings where required.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential

• Recent, relevant experience of working in a
• health or social care setting for a minimum of
• one year.

Desirable

• Recent experience of working in a setting delivering care at end of life.

Skills, knowledge & Aptitude
Essential

• Communication skills, written and verbal.
• Good Interpersonal skills.
• Organisational skills .
• Proficient in the use of IT.
• Experience of operating work-related equipment, aids and devices e.g. hoists, electric beds.

Desirable

• Knowledge and understanding of the principles of delivering care to patients in their own home.
• Knowledge and understanding of legislation relating to care and health work and relevant NICE guidance
• Awareness and understanding of common problems at the end of life, which may impede physical, mental or social functioning.
• Awareness of vulnerable adults procedures and the detection of potentially abusive situations

Motivation & Commitment
Essential

• Commitment to HCNN as an organisation
• Commitment to quality care provision
• Personal development within the role
• Actively engage with support strategies both at work and in personal and social life.

Other Factors
Essential

• Full UK driving license
• Independently mobile
• Enhanced DBS Disclosure with barred list search

Desirable

• Navigational skills in order to locate patient homes during the day and at night, occasionally in remote locations and in adverse weather conditions.

Qualifications
Essential

• NVQ in Care Level 3 or Care Certificate at Level 3

Desirable

• Level 3 Safe Handling of Medication

Person Specification
Experience
Essential

• Recent, relevant experience of working in a
• health or social care setting for a minimum of
• one year.

Desirable

• Recent experience of working in a setting delivering care at end of life.

Skills, knowledge & Aptitude
Essential

• Communication skills, written and verbal.
• Good Interpersonal skills.
• Organisational skills .
• Proficient in the use of IT.
• Experience of operating work-related equipment, aids and devices e.g. hoists, electric beds.

Desirable

• Knowledge and understanding of the principles of delivering care to patients in their own home.
• Knowledge and understanding of legislation relating to care and health work and relevant NICE guidance
• Awareness and understanding of common problems at the end of life, which may impede physical, mental or social functioning.
• Awareness of vulnerable adults procedures and the detection of potentially abusive situations

Motivation & Commitment
Essential

• Commitment to HCNN as an organisation
• Commitment to quality care provision
• Personal development within the role
• Actively engage with support strategies both at work and in personal and social life.

Other Factors
Essential

• Full UK driving license
• Independently mobile
• Enhanced DBS Disclosure with barred list search

Desirable

• Navigational skills in order to locate patient homes during the day and at night, occasionally in remote locations and in adverse weather conditions.

Qualifications
Essential

• NVQ in Care Level 3 or Care Certificate at Level 3

Desirable

• Level 3 Safe Handling of Medication

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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
Additional information
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
Employer details
Employer name
HospiceCare North Northumberland
Address
Hospicecare
Willowburn Avenue
Alnwick
Northumberland
NE66 2DG
Employer\’s website