Health Care Assistant (30hrs) in Wakefield

Working as a member of the Hospice Team, carrying out assigned tasks associatedwith patient care in support of, and supervised by a professionally qualifiednurse.

Main duties of the job

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Health CareAssistant to join our team on a permanent basis. WakefieldHospice is looking for someone who is passionate about palliative care who wants to ensure our patients and their loved ones are cared for and supported. This is a front line role on our in patient unit with opportunities to support other areas of the hospice including our Dementia Day Care.

About us

Wakefield Hospice, is committed to providing the highestlevel of symptom management and care for people who have advanced active,progressive and life threatening illness.

Wakefield Hospice is a purpose-built specialist palliativecare unit that opened in April 1990. Currently undergoing a period ofrefurbishment, it will have 16 single ensuite bedrooms. The hospice also has adementia care service, bereavement support and education. Over the years theservice has developed initially into a day therapy unit, and ultimately into adrop-In centre providing therapies and wellbeing, information and care forpatients, carers and bereaved families.

Job responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assisting the professionally qualified staff in providing patient care and support, during a 24-hour period of care.
• Maintaining effective verbal and written communication with all staff regarding patient and family matters, as appropriate.
• Liaison with other Hospice staff to ensure the wellbeing and comfort of the patient.
• Co-operation with the promotion of good staff morale, supporting and assisting all grades and voluntary staff, as appropriate.
• Establishing good liaison with patients relatives and all visitors to the Hospice.
• Ensuring that any complaints are met with a tactful and sympathetic response and that they are reported in accordance with Hospice policy.
• Reporting accidents involving staff, patients and visitors to the Hospice and submitting written reports on request.
• Participating in daily multi-disciplinary meetings.
• Participating in in-service training programmes, including NVQ training.
• Being aware of the importance of health and safety of patients and staff and acting accordingly within Hospice Policy.
• Observing Hospice fire precautions and drill procedures.
• Participating in the ordering of stores and new supplies, as required, with due regard to economy.
• Being aware of the importance of efficiency and cost effectiveness within the Hospice and acting accordingly.
• Treating all Hospice matters, including information regarding patients, their families, their illness and treatment, with utmost confidentiality.
• Any other tasks which may from time to time be requested.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications
• Previous Health Care work experience is desirable.
• NVQ level 2 or equivalent or willingness to work towards and to undertake communication skills training.

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.