Hospice Care Assistant (Ward) in Bury St Edmunds

Call our 24/7 advice line for health care professionals and families if you need support with symptom management and end of life care - 01284 766133. If you have used our Hospice's services, please consider taking some time to inform us of your experience. St Nicholas Hospice Care is a successful charity serving the local area of West Suffolk and Thetford. Every year we support nearly 2,000 local people, delivering care across multiple settings. Our services are not just for patients, but for their family and friends too, and include everything from specialist medical care to bereavement support and practical help.

We are looking for enthusiastic Health Care Assistants to work in our Inpatient Ward. A Care Certificate or equivalent qualification is essential for this role. This position is for 37 hours per week and there is a requirement to work across a full rotation 24/7. Our 12-bed unit is a well-supported setting where you work alongside a multidisciplinary team of Registered Nurses, Health Care Assistants, specialist Medical team and Allied Health Professionals. Additionally, our volunteers bring plenty of positivity and invaluable support to our ward. This diversity of skills, knowledge and experience is fundamental to excellent care, and the ward’s friendly and supportive atmosphere.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure the provision of personal care and comfort measures for patients on Sylvan Ward, ensuring that these are individualised at all times.
• Undertake additional clinical duties within scope of training such as catheter care or wound care, as delegated by nursing staff.
• Prepare and manage environments and resources required to support patient care.
• Prepare and support patient admissions and discharges, within scope of role.
• Support patients to safely manage and maintain their independence, with use of assistive devices, mobility aids, etc.
• Demonstrate awareness of the importance of emotional and psychosocial care and support for patients and families, referring to MDT colleagues for support as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate and timely patient records at all times, reporting issues outside area of own role and responsibility promptly.
• Utilise opportunities to support patients to choose and participate in activities which are meaningful to them.
• Support and direct volunteers, as required.
• Contribute to or undertake clinical assessments within range of competence as delegated by nursing staff, reporting these to nursing staff as appropriate.
• Contribute to care planning and review by implementing, monitoring and evaluating therapeutic interventions within an overall plan of care, documenting outcomes in a timely and accurate manner.
• Demonstrate an understanding of safeguarding and the need to escalate these to nursing staff in a timely manner.

Why Choose Us?

• Supportive, Multidisciplinary Team: Work alongside experienced nurses, healthcare assistants, specialist doctors, allied health professionals, and dedicated volunteers.
• Calming, Holistic Setting: Our 12-bed Sylvan Ward is set in peaceful gardens, offering a tranquil space for palliative care with activities like afternoon teas, pizza nights, and donkey visits.
• Free onsite parking (guaranteed space)
• 25 days paid annual leave (increasing with service)
• Excellent training and development opportunities
• NHS pension continuation or access to a group pension scheme
• Home-made meals in our onsite bistro
• Enhanced Occupational Sick Pay
• Social events (photography group, quiz nights, picnics, and more)
• Supportive management with regular 1:1s, appraisals, team meetings, and away days
• Unsocial hours uplift of up to 60% for some shifts

For further information or an informal chat, please contact Natasha Smith: natasha.smith@stnh.org.uk / 01284 766133