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- Tasks: Provide compassionate care to patients and support families during night shifts.
- Company: St Helena Hospice, dedicated to high-quality palliative care.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, NHS pension, free parking, and ongoing training.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Experience in health or social care and a full driving licence required.
- Other info: Flexible hours with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 20700 - 22500 £ per year.
St Helena Hospice is seeking Twilight Health Care Assistants to work within the Single Point team. The shifts are from 8pm to 2am. Hours to be agreed but minimum would be 18 per week. Salary advertised is the Full time equivalent.
Main duties of the job
- To assist Registered Nurse/paramedic overnight in providing high standards of specialist palliative care to patients and their relatives in their own homes.
- To assist the Registered Nurse/paramedic with providing catheter and bowel management as part of our night integration service with the community nursing team.
- To support the Registered Nurse/Paramedic overnight with taking direct calls and placing them on the triage list for a clinician to support and assess further and determine the appropriate outcomes.
- To provide physical, social, emotional and spiritual care in the patients home and the inpatient unit (when required) in agreement with the patient and family.
About us
St Helena Hospice's core values and behaviours will be embedded in our recruitment, our training and development review and our decision making process. Training and competencies within the specialities, as well as ongoing support and professional development, will be tailored to meet your individual needs.
In return we offer:
- A competitive and progressive salary.
- Enhanced hourly rates for working unsocial hours.
- NHS Pension (for active members who wish to transfer and continue their membership).
- Clinical Supervision.
- Employee Assistance and Wellbeing support.
- We cover the cost of your DBS Check and the periodic renewal.
- Uniform provided.
- Free on site parking.
- Subsidised dining and complimentary drinks.
Job responsibilities
Duties & Responsibilities: You should be flexible and adaptable to changes in your duties depending on patient demand, staffing levels, and operational priorities. For this role a willingness to support colleagues and work collaboratively across the wider team is essential to meet the needs of the service. These duties will be carried out across both the Inpatient Unit and Community Services.
- In conjunction with other members of the team, and in line with your level of competence, assist in meeting the needs of patients: hygiene, elimination, nutrition, mobilising, maintaining independence, pain.
- Be able to recognise and advocate for the promotion of independence and personalised care, based on patients' life histories and expressed preferences about their own care.
- Meet the therapy needs of the patient through the delivery of the therapy plan of care devised by the registered therapist.
- Identify the psychosocial and spiritual needs of families and friends under his/her care and communicate to the Registered Nurse.
- To implement rehabilitation programmes devised by the OT or physio and when needed, follow up interventions.
- To practice daily living activities with patients on the ward under the guidance of the OT/Physio, e.g. functional transfers, personal care, or mobility.
- To assess and provide basic mobility and daily living equipment aids to patients, report to the Occupational Therapist (OT) or Physio (PT) as appropriate and arrange for loan or replacement of equipment with statutory services.
- To implement therapeutic interventions such as exercise, stretching, energy conservation, pacing and relaxation, reporting to OT/PT as necessary.
- Perform Last Offices to deceased patients including safe custody of valuables and belongings.
- Maintaining health and safety within the ward area, i.e. ensure fire exits are clear, cupboards safely stocked, and hazards removed and reported.
- Check and ensure that equipment is clean and in working order ready for use.
- Ensure that all information recorded by the individual is in accordance with St Helena policy (i.e. patient records, incident/accident reports).
- Escort patients to hospital appointments, home visits or recreational trips.
- Assist in checking Controlled Drugs with Registered Nurse (on completion of Drugs Competency Framework).
- Ensure you follow all policies and procedures in relation to prevention and infection control.
- Undertake and record clinical observations reporting results to Registered Nurse.
- Undertake simple dressings independently, within level of competence and assist Registered Nurses with complex dressings.
Hospice in the Home MDT:
- To assist/supervise family members in caring for the patient or other untrained carers in the patient's home.
- To involve and enable the family and friends to continue caring for the patient and support them as appropriate.
- To assist the Single Point RNs in assessment and care of patients.
- To care for the person and their family holistically i.e. recognising the importance of physical, emotional, social and spiritual aspects of care.
- To work unsupervised in the patient's home.
- To report back to Single Point any symptoms, concerns, changes or deterioration of the patient's condition.
- To take advice/instructions from St Helena Medical and Senior Staff on-call when necessary.
- To act as a call handler when required, being the first point of contact for patients, relatives and healthcare professionals. With a calm telephone manner and excellent communication skills to obtain the relevant information. IT skills and experience will be needed to then log the call for triage.
- To act as a driver for the Registered Nurse during a night shift.
- To communicate effectively with members of the interdisciplinary team, District Nurse, GP, Social Services etc.
- To have awareness of the function and use of equipment used in the care of the palliative/end of life patient at home.
- To participate in educational programmes carried out within St Helena, as both provider and recipient.
- To mentor and direct new Health Care Assistants.
You will be required to work independently, including patients' homes and community environments, in line with the needs of the service. When lone working, the postholder must adhere to the organisations Lone Working Policy and follow all relevant safety protocols. A lone worker device will be provided to support personal safety, and emergency alerts.
Person Specification
Skills and Knowledge
- Proven awareness of the possible needs of patients, families under the care of St Helena.
- Knowledge of illness as a carer and the ability to recognise when a person has physical, social, psychological or spiritual care needs.
- Demonstrated commitment and understanding to the Hospice philosophy and the work of St. Helena.
Qualifications
- Full driving licence.
- NVQ in care work.
Experience
- Experience working with people and handling difficult situations.
- Experience of working in health or social care setting.
Qualities
- Proven ability to work off own initiative and as part of a team.
- Flexible to meet needs of service.
- Physically able to undertake the job.
- Proven coping strategies when under emotional pressure.
Communication
- Proven written and verbal communication skills.
- Clear verbal communication skills demonstrable with a range of people.
- Ability to accurately record any information required i.e. patient records, telephone messages or information as requested by patients.
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.
£24,672.78 to £26,315.85 a year depending on experience.
TW Health Care Assistant in Colchester employer: St Helena Hospice
Contact Detail:
St Helena Hospice Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land TW Health Care Assistant in Colchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to friends, family, and former colleagues who might know someone at St Helena Hospice. A personal connection can make all the difference in getting your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the hospice's values and mission. Show us that you understand what we stand for and how you can contribute to our team. Tailor your answers to reflect our commitment to high standards of care.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice common interview questions with a friend or in front of a mirror. This will help you articulate your experience and skills confidently, especially when discussing your ability to handle emotional situations and work collaboratively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity can leave a lasting impression and show us that you're genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace TW Health Care Assistant in Colchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of a Twilight Health Care Assistant. We want to see how you can contribute to our team at St Helena Hospice!
Showcase Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for palliative care shine through in your written application. We love candidates who demonstrate a genuine commitment to supporting patients and their families during challenging times.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your relevant experience and skills, making it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the position. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at St Helena Hospice
✨Know Your Palliative Care Basics
Before the interview, brush up on your knowledge of palliative care principles. Understand the specific needs of patients and families in a hospice setting, as well as the importance of holistic care. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the role but genuinely passionate about providing compassionate support.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork Skills
Since this role involves working closely with nurses and other healthcare professionals, be prepared to discuss your experience in teamwork. Share examples of how you've collaborated effectively in past roles, especially in high-pressure situations. Highlight your flexibility and adaptability to meet the needs of the service.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and emotional resilience. Think of situations where you had to handle difficult conversations or support someone in distress. Practising your responses can help you articulate your thoughts clearly during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Effective communication is key in this role, especially when dealing with patients and their families. Be ready to demonstrate your verbal and written communication skills. You might be asked how you would handle a sensitive situation over the phone, so think about how you can convey empathy and clarity in your responses.
