Healthcare Assistant - IPU in Stafford

Part-time Permanent Employee

Location: Katharine House Hospice, Stafford

Salary: £19,910.40- £22,615.20 (Actual) dependent upon qualifications and experience

Hours: 30 hours per week – shift working to include nights, weekends and bank holidays

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 offers 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.
• Employee Assistance Programme: Providing support for your wellbeing.
• Training and development opportunities: Continuous learning and professional growth.
• 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 enthusiastic individual who has:

• Excellent standards of patient care
• A minimum of one year’s experience in a healthcare setting

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

Functions and Responsibilities: The post-holder will form part of a team comprising Senior Staff Nurses (Team Leaders), Staff Nurses, Nurse Associates and Health Care Assistants who will be responsible for the delivery of high quality, patient-centred, holistic care to patients, carers, and their families in the Inpatient Unit.

Specific Objectives:

• To ensure our patients and their families receive an outstanding, caring service, professionally delivered within a safe environment.
• Maintain a safe, clean clinical environment and identify any risks to patients, families, or staff.
• Work with the multi-disciplinary team to ensure patients and families receive a holistic approach to care.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities: To meet the above broad objectives, the post holder will have responsibilities in four main areas of work as follows:

• Clinical
• Educational
• Managerial
• Personnel

Core Responsibilities:

• To provide personalised care to the patient and their family and/or informal carers.
• To provide personal care to the patient whilst maintaining their privacy and dignity e.g. washing and dressing, care after death.
• To provide pressure area care to the patient e.g. change of position, minor dressing changes.
• To provide emotional support to the patient, their family and/or informal carers e.g. pre bereavement and at time of death.
• To provide accurate information to the patient, their family and/or informal carers.
• To assist with the patient’s nutritional and hydration needs e.g. assist with feeding and drinking.
• To assist with the patient’s elimination needs e.g. empty catheter and/or stoma bags.
• To assist in the management of the patient’s physical symptoms e.g. observe and monitor a syringe driver, provide simple massage.
• To monitor and observe for changes in the patient’s condition and symptoms and notify the nurse in charge of that patient’s 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.
• Ensure the correct usage and maintenance of all equipment.
• 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.

• Complete Mandatory training as set by KHH.

• Answer the telephone and take messages in accordance with hospice policy.
• Maintain stock levels of clinical forms, equipment and stores.
• Participate in filing patient information.

• 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.
• Actively seek support when needed and contribute to providing support for others when needed.

Person Specification:

• NVQ 2 in Care – or equivalent - Essential
• NVQ level 3 in Care - or equivalent - Desirable

• One year in a health or social care setting - Essential

• Communicates effectively with patients and their families - Essential
• Is able to attend to basic patient hygiene needs - Essential
• Is able to assist patients to eat and drink - Essential
• Is able to answer the telephone, take and record messages accurately - Essential

• Trustworthy - Essential
• Motivated - Essential
• Flexibility - Essential
• Maintains a safe environment for staff and patients - Essential
• Ensures infection prevention measures are maintained - Essential

Infection Prevention and Control: In accordance with the Health and Social Care Act 2012, the post holder will actively participate in the prevention and control of infection within the capacity of their role. The Act requires the post holder to attend infection prevention and control training on induction and at regular updates and to take responsibility for the practical application of the training in the course of their work. Infection prevention and control must be included in any personal development plan or appraisal.

Health and Safety: All employees have a responsibility to abide by the safety practices and codes authorised by Katharine House Hospice. They have an equal responsibility with management for maintaining safe working practices.

Confidentiality: Patient and/or staff information is confidential. It is a condition of Katharine House Hospice employment that you will not use or disclose any confidential information obtained in the course of your duty.

Accuracy of Data: The accuracy of Service User information is paramount regardless of its format (hard copy or electronic). All staff collecting and processing sensitive client information should be suitably trained to do so. All such data should be monitored for accuracy and reconciled between the user record and data held on systems that support the provision of care, any errors or omissions should be identified and corrected. Such activity should be undertaken under the guidance of the Director of Care.

Company Overview: Katharine House Hospice’s aim is to enable people with incurable illnesses to live life as fully as possible and make the most of the time that they have, as well as supporting their loved ones. Our care is free and provided where and when it is needed most – in the community, at home, or at our hospice.