Health Care Assistant

Job Description

Health Care Assistant

Responsible to

Sister/ Charge Nurse & Ward Manager

Job Purpose

To  contribute  in  the  provision  of  specialist  palliative  care  for  patients  and
their families with life limiting illness.

Values

The post holder will hold and engage with our organisational values;
Together
Excellence
Actively Engaged
Meaningful

Compassion
Accountability
Respect
Empathy

Further information on our values and expected behaviours are listed at the
back of this document

Main Duties and
Responsibilities

To  provide  care  for  named  patients  with  palliative  care  needs  in
accordance  with  the  patients  care  plan  as  defined  by  the  Primary
Healthcare team.
To  communicate  with  patients,  carers  and  health  professionals  in  a
professional manner.
To  recognise  changes  in  symptoms  and  conditions  and  notify  relevant
health care professionals as appropriate.
To prompt patients with regular oral medication where the patient is self-
medicating.
Following training in the use of syringe drivers, identify any problems with
the syringe driver and report promptly to relevant professional staff.
To maintain and update patient records and ensure effective handover of
care is given appropriately.
To provide support and respite care for the patient and family
according to their needs and the level of intervention required during
 the shift
To care for the body after death and support the family members/carers
in a professional and sensitive manner.
To work a minimum of 4 days per year as part of the in-patient unit team
by mutual agreement to ensure personal professional development.
To be mindful of the resources available within the community

General

Public Relations – To represent Oakhaven Hospice in the community
and public domain as appropriate

Personal Development – to keep up to date on current developments
appropriate to duties and responsibilities of the post. To identify personal
development needs with agreement
of line manager.

Training - To remain appropriately trained for the role and keep
up to date with mandatory training requirements.

Data Protection – To be conversant with the requirements of the Data
Protection Act and ensure compliance in safeguarding confidential
information.

Infection Control -  All employees must follow consistently high
standards in the prevention and control of infection including adhering to
infection prevention and control policies and procedures relevant to their
work, in both non clinical and clinical settings.

Health and Safety – To be aware of and comply with current
Fire, Health and Safety Policies and Procedures operated at
Oakhaven Hospice. Ensure risk assessments are conducted for each
event and appropriate insurance cover obtained.

Confidentiality – To be aware of the confidential nature of
hospice affairs and comply accordingly.

Finance – To act with a sense of integrity and sound judgment and to
take personal responsibility for understanding and
following all relevant financial policies.

Additional Duties – In discussion with line manager to undertake work as
and when required in support of Oakhaven Hospice.

OAKHAVEN HOSPICE

Notes

•  The post-holder may have access to confidential data on staff, patients and services within the hospice.

Failure to maintain confidentiality will lead to disciplinary action, which could ultimately lead to dismissal.

•  The  post-holder  may  be  required  to  contribute  towards  clinical  and  corporate  governance  agenda  as

appropriate.

•  The post-holder will be the subject of regular annual appraisal and objectives.
•  The post-holder will be expected to produce work to a high standard and to promote quality at all times.
•  The Hospice is committed to Equal Opportunities for all current and potential members of staff and patients,
irrespective  of  gender  (including  gender  re-assignment),  marital  status,  sexual  orientation,  race,  colour,
creed, religion, belief, nationality, ethnic origin, age, disability, a positive diagnosis of HIV/AIDS, or Trade
Union membership. Therefore, the Hospice expects of its staff to understand, support and apply this policy
through their working practices, which requires all individuals to be treated with respect, dignity, courtesy,
fairness and consideration.

•  The post-holder will be expected to keep themselves updated on all matters relating to Hospice Policies

and Procedures.

•  The  post-holder  must  familiarise  themselves  with  matters  relating  to  health  and  safety  management,
reporting any potential risks immediately in accordance with the Hospice’s Health  and Safety policy and
procedures.

•  The employee will also be expected in discussion with their manager, to understand their role and level of
accountability in respect of Emergency Planning procedures and ensuring controls assurance within their
work area.

•  This is an outline job description and may be subject to change, according to the needs of the service, in

consultation with the post holder.

•  Oakhaven Hospice is a non-smoking building and this is to be observed at all times.

The ‘Why’ of Oakhaven

PERSONAL VALUES

Making every moment matter

We do what we do at Oakhaven Hospice because as individual people we hold the personal values of  Compassion, Accountability,
Respect and Empathy in high regard. In other words we CARE about what we do and the people we work with.

Compassion

We show compassion when

we act with understanding and work
cooperatively with others.

We treat each individual as

unique, valuing them without
distinction or judgement

Accountability

Respect

Empathy

We continually learn from

our experiences and use this
understanding to develop
services and maintain
excellence as standard.

We treat and communicate

with our team members,
patients and community
with mutual respect,
recognising the importance
of their contribution

We demonstrate awareness

of  an  individual's  situation
from  their  perspective  and
respond compassionately in
an understanding manner.

We take responsibility for our

decisions and actions,
alongside creating a culture of
no blame.

We value the diversity of

others in both opinion and
culture and do not dismiss
what we do not understand
or agree with.

We listen and help people

based on their individual needs
and feelings.

The ‘Why’ of Oakhaven

ORGANISATIONAL VALUES

Making every moment matter

As an organisation we strive to ensure our service is one that: works Together with others; delivers Excellence and is based on best
practices and principles; is Actively engaged on all levels be it with patients, families, the local community, staff and services both
internal and external; is Meaningful for those who experience it. We strive to work within and as part of a TEAM.

Together

We work as one team across

We make the best use of

Oakhaven and share our
knowledge, skills and
experience with others to
deliver excellence.

resources by accessing knowledge
and skills from partners to support
Oakhaven in delivering excellent
service.

Excellence

Actively
engaged

Meaningful

We strive for a professional,

high quality service which is
responsive to need and works
to ethical, sound and best
practice principles.

We demonstrate a belief in

the ethos and principles of
Oakhaven and are supportive
of the day to day operation at
all levels, individual, team and
organisational.

We are aware of the value

and impact Oakhaven can
have on individuals, teams,
organisation and the
community.

We reflect and act on constructive

feedback from others in order to
learn.

We respond positively to new

ideas and approaches and propose
solutions when faced with
problems.

We understand how our response

and actions can affect a person’s
experience.

Personal specification

Requirement

Essential

Desirable

•  G.C.S.E English and Maths.
•  NVQ Level 2

•  At least one year of experience
working in hospitals, nursing
homes or companies that
provide in-home
healthcare.

Education,
Training and
Qualifications
Experience

Skills and
Knowledge

Personal
Attributes

•  Have experience in a caring role.

•  Excellent interpersonal skills
•  Good Physically fitness and

stamina to lift and move patients
and equipment
In-depth understanding of health
and safety procedures

•

•  Ability to follow instructions and

keen observation skills
•  Ability to multitask and time

management skills

•  Excellent verbal and written

communication skills

•  Thorough attention to detail
•  Good organisation skills.
•  Diplomatic
•  Calm and objective
•  Recognition of own limitations
•  Demonstrates enthusiasm and

commitment to the hospice ethos

•  Ability to deal with complex and
difficult emotional situations
•  Demonstrate an ability to work
as part of a multidisciplinary
team

•  Able to work under pressure
•  To be flexible and approachable
•  Able to demonstrate an

awareness of the importance of
self-care and stress
management.