Health Care Assistant

Healthcare Assistant – In-Patient Unit, Katharine House Hospice

Job Type: Permanent, Full-time or Part-time

Location: Katharine House Hospice, Stafford

Salary: £24,046 to £26,819 per annum, full time equivalent, pro-rata dependent upon qualifications and experience

Hours: Full and Part-time hours available, from 22.5 to 37.5 hours per week – shift working to include nights, weekends and bank holidays

Closing date: 17 September 2025, however this may close earlier, subject to response rate

Telephone Interview date: 26 September 2025

Face to face interview date: 7 October 2025

Are you a dedicated and caring healthcare worker who wants to provide passionate, professional and responsive care?

Join Katharine House Hospice Stafford in our In-Patient unit, where your work will help us provide compassionate, professional and responsive care, ensuring that local people receive the care they need when it matters most.

About us

Katharine House Hospice offer the best care so that people in our community, affected by progressive illnesses, can live their lives to the full.

The in-patient unit at Katharine House Hospice is a specialist palliative care unit supporting adults with life-limiting illness.

We value people – so much so, it\’s one of our three key values as a charity.

We focus on delivering high quality care and can give the time needed to provide the best experience for our patients and their families.

We provide ongoing support with opportunities for professional development. We are also able to provide access to the NHS pension scheme if you are currently an existing member.

The Role

As a Healthcare Assistant in our In Patient Unit you\’ll work in a great team of dedicated staff with more time to provide care thanks to our excellent ratio of staff to patients.

You will work a rotational shift pattern, including nights, but we are willing to consider flexible agreements to suit the needs of the service. Long days or short days are available – the choice is yours.

Your voice matters and we\’ll listen to your views to help the department improve. We also provide ongoing development opportunities to help your professional growth.

Please note, an enhanced DBS clearance will be required for this role.

What\’s in it for you?

• Annual leave

33 days per annum, which includes bank holidays (pro rata for part time), increasing after five and 10 years\’ service.

• Pension scheme

We match contributions up to 7% to a NEST scheme. If you\’re currently contributing to the NHS pension scheme you can continue to do so.

• Death in service benefit

Reassurance should the worst happen. 2 x salary to your family.

• Employee Assistance Programme

Providing support for your wellbeing.

• Training and development opportunities

Continuous learning and professional growth.

• Occupational sick pay

Support during times of illness.

• Healthcare cash benefit plan

Contributory plan to help cover health-related expenses.

• Free on-site parking
• Free uniform and PPE

Skills and experience

We\’re looking for a motivated and enthusiast individual who has:

• excellent standards of patient care
• outstanding communication skills
• a minimum of one year\’s experience in a healthcare setting
• NVQ/ Diploma level 2/3 in Care, or equivalent – essential

Due to the nature of this caring role, an enhanced DBS clearance will be required.

Join us and make a difference

If you\’re passionate about people and want to contribute to a mission that matters, we\’d love to hear from you. Apply now and help us continue to provide exceptional care and support to those who need it most.

If you\’d like to know more about this role, without commitment, please contact Nichola Smith, Senior Care Manager or Fay Smith, Senior Staff Nurse on

How to apply:

Submit a CV via indeed.

Please note we are unable to provide sponsorship at this time.

If you\’d like to know more about this role, without commitment, please contact the HR department on

The closing date is 17 September 2025, however we may close this advert earlier, subject to response rates.

If you require any reasonable adjustment to participate in this process, please do not hesitate to contact HR on the number above.

Please note that applications will be shortlisted on an ongoing basis and this vacancy may be closed early if the positions are filled.

Internal applicants should apply via an expression of interest outlining the reasons for your interest and detailing any relevant experience.

Healthcare Assistant – Inpatient Unit (IPU)

\”We help local adults with complex, progressive illnesses from diagnosis to the end of life through free, high quality, specialist palliative care, advice and guidance, and we support those close to them.\”

Department and Role Objectives

At Katharine House Hospice, our mission is to provide gentle, person-centred care for people facing life-limiting illnesses, helping them to live as comfortably and meaningfully as possible.

As a Health Care Assistant on IPU, you will ensure patients and their loved ones receive outstanding and safe specialist palliative care. Working within our experienced team, you will help deliver practical, personal, and emotional support. You will ensure that the Nursing and the Care team work in an effective and efficient way and be able to identify situations that require senior intervention or escalation as needed.

You will be responsible for developing and maintaining competences in the skills required to work in specialist palliative care, and play a key part in continuing to develop and maintain clinical standards ensuring that Katharine House Hospice meets local and national standards.

Part of the team

You will form part of a team comprising of IPU Lead Nurses, Staff Nurses, Nurse Associates and Health Care Assistants who will be responsible for the delivery of exceptionally high quality, patient-centred, holistic care to patients, carers, and their families in the Inpatient Unit.

Core Responsibilities

Key Area

Responsibilities & Outputs

Personal and practical and responsive care

Provide personalised care that promotes each patient\’s dignity and privacy, including assistance with washing, dressing, and care after death.

Participate in patient assessments and access visits to help shape personalised care plans that truly reflect each individual\’s needs and wishes.

Support patients\’ nutritional and hydration needs assisting with feeding and drinking as required and be able to recognise where a patient has difficulty eating and drinking, and escalate concerns

Help with elimination needs such as toileting, emptying catheter and stoma bags, ensuring comfort and respect.

Deliver pressure area care by assisting with repositioning and minor dressing changes, promoting wellbeing and comfort.

To provide accurate information to the patient, their family and/or informal carers

Assist with managing physical symptoms under nursing guidance, including observing syringe drivers and offering comforting touch like simple massage.

To monitor and observe for changes in the patient\’s condition and symptoms and notify the nurse in charge of that patients care

Accurately record all care given in the patient\’s notes.

Liaise effectively with other nursing and multi professional team members within the scope of their role.

Completing clinical observations as requested and other clinical skills following training e.g. venepuncture.

Maintains up-to-date knowledge of changes in policies and procedures relevant to the post.

To ensure all clinical areas are clean and tidy and in line with current Infection Control Guidance.

Ensure the correct usage and maintenance of all equipment

Emotional and Psychological Support

Provide emotional support to patient and their loved ones, being compassionate through all stages, including pre-bereavement and at the time of death.

Communicate with kindness and honesty, providing clear and accurate information that helps patients and families feel informed and supported

Develop knowledge and skills to support difficult conversations that may take place on IPU

Collaborative Teamwork and Service Support

Work closely within the IPU team and alongside the MDT to deliver seamless, coordinated care.

Support the Senior Nurses and work collaboratively to ensure the seamless delivery of care and services

Attend team meetings and share insights openly, fostering a positive, collaborative working environment.

Professional Care and Conduct

Uphold Katharine House Hospice\’s values and policies, ensuring a safe, respectful, and trusting environment for patients and colleagues.

Embrace ongoing learning and development through mandatory training and appraisal, continually growing in confidence and skill.

Act promptly and thoughtfully in reporting any incidents, always prioritising safety and quality of care.

Contribute to a healthy, supportive workplace by seeking and offering support, and taking part in debriefing when needed.

Use resources thoughtfully, balancing efficiency with compassionate care delivery.

Take all measures to ensure the safety and welfare of all patients and staff, having due regard to the Health and Safety at Work Act

Other

This list is not exhaustive as the role will continue to evolve with the organisational needs.

Person Specification

Qualifications

NVQ 2 in Care – or equivalent Essential

NVQ level 3 in Care – or equivalent Desirable

Experience and Knowledge

Able to provide compassionate, person-centred care to individuals, attending to all hygiene needs Essential

Be able to work flexibly across a 24 hour shift pattern. Essential

Able to support patients and families with empathy, patience, and emotional presence. Essential

Able to communicate openly effectively, listen actively, and respond with appropriately. Essential

Follow health and safety protocols diligently. Essential

Accurately document care and report concerns. Essential

Respect diverse cultural, spiritual, and personal values. Essential

Able to collaborate with colleagues and external professionals. Essential

Able to adapt to changing environments, schedules, and patient needs Essential

Have an understanding of emotional and psychological needs in palliative care and a knowledge of palliative and end-of-life care principles Essential

Have clear verbal and written communication skills. Essential

Willing to undertake training in infection prevention, manual handling, and risk assessment. Essential

Must have basic literacy and documentation skills. Essential

Have understanding of multidisciplinary team roles and responsibilities. Essential

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent

Pay: £22,893.75-£32,505.62 per year

Expected hours: 22.5 – 37.5 per week

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Free parking
• On-site parking

Application question(s):

• Do you require sponsorship? Please note we do not offer sponsorship
• Do you have NVQ level 2 in Care?

Work Location: In person