Palliative Healthcare Assistant

Founded in 1999 in memory of the late Dr Martin Lawrence, Lawrence Nurses provides excellent holistic care for palliative and end of life patients who wish to remain within their home environment. Based in Chipping Norton, the service is provided in the local area by a team of dedicated nurses who work in partnership with the patient, their family, carers and the Community Nursing Service. Due to the expansion of the service, we are looking to recruit a bank Healthcare Assistant to join our dynamic and dedicated team.

The Community Healthcare Assistant supports the delivery of high-quality, person-centred care to palliative and end of life patients in their own homes and community settings under the supervision of a registered nurse.

Main duties of the job:

• To provide appropriate clinical support to palliative care patients and their families or carers within their own homes as directed by the Nurse Coordinator on duty.
• Monitoring patients' condition and reporting changes to the Nurse Coordinator and Community Nursing Teams where appropriate.
• Supporting with nutritional needs including helping with feeding when required.
• Washing, dressing and general personal hygiene care.
• Supporting the emotional needs of the patient and their family or carer.
• Assisting with mobility, transfers and the use of mobility aids, ensuring equipment is used safely and reported if faulty.
• Recognising any changes in the patient's condition and reporting to the Nurse Coordinator.
• Assisting with any clinical tasks in accordance with training.
• Providing support to patients with palliative or end of life care needs.
• Maintaining accurate, timely and confidential patient records.
• Communicating effectively with patients, relatives, carers and the wider healthcare team.
• Supporting a safe, clear and concise handover after visits.
• Following infection prevention and control measures.
• Adhering to safeguarding policies for vulnerable adults.
• Working within professional boundaries, seeking advice as needed.
• Demonstrating a commitment to ongoing learning and development and participating in any training relevant to the role.

Person Specification:

• Qualifications: GCSE grade A to C in English and Maths, Care Certificate, Healthcare qualification such as BTEC or NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care.
• Experience: A minimum of two years recent experience in health care, recent experience of caring for patients who are palliative or end of life.
• Other requirements: Demonstrate an interest in healthcare development, hold a current and valid driving licence and have access to a vehicle, must be able and willing to support a flexible approach to working patterns and locations, must live within one hour of the office base.
• Knowledge and Skills: Communicate with people in a diplomatic and tactful manner, ability to work alone in a complex and stressful environment, ability to quickly identify and solve problems, ability to use own initiative, ability to use MS Office and Email, knowledge of patient electronic records such as EMIS.

This job description is not exhaustive. It merely acts as a guide and may be amended to meet the changing requirements of the Charity at any time after discussion with the post holder.