Health Care Assistant - Hospice at Home

EAST LANCASHIRE HOSPICE
Registered Charity No: 1075653

Job Title: Health Care Assistant - Hospice at Home

Accountable to:   Head of Community Supportive Care Service

JOB SUMMARY

To work as a member of the Hospice at Home Team supporting patients and families in their own homes. You will
deliver high standards of hands on care to the patient and their families supporting the patient to remain at home
and  prevent  avoidable  admissions  to  hospital  for  those  with  life  limiting  illness.    You  will  work  unsupervised  in
accordance with care plans provided by registered practitioners

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

•  Deliver quality nursing care according to agreed plan of care devised by the nursing team
•  Develop understanding of the principles of palliative care and work with patients and families following care

•

plans addressing their individual physical, psychosocial and spiritual needs
To recognise and respond appropriately to urgent situations and contact the appropriate Community Nursing
Teams/GP/Out of Hours relaying any relevant information on the condition of patients, their care or treatment
•  Monitor the progress of patients along their disease pathway and report any changes to the Head of Hospice at

•

Home
Support patients with therapeutic  and diversional activity, activities of daily living, promoting independence
within patient limitations to enhance independence and quality of life

•  Provide supportive care to families as directed by the nursing team to support the wellbeing of families and

prevent breakdown of their social situation, enabling patients to stay at home

•  Be empathic and courteous to patients and relatives treating them with care and consideration at all times
•
Ensure accurate patient records are kept in line with hospice guidelines and NMC Record Keeping Guidance
•  Contribute to clinical reports, data collection and statistics as required by the Head of Hospice at Home
•
Exercise good personal time management, punctuality, appearance and consistent reliable attendance
•  Positively engage with opportunities for direct support and supervision, the development and maintenance of
skills and knowledge including scheduled rotational placement within other clinical areas including for example
the Inpatient Unit and Support and Wellbeing

Exercise good personal time management, punctuality, appearance and consistent reliable attendance
Ensure that personal actions and conduct apply with hospice policies and procedures
Ensure effective use of hospice resources

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
•  Maintain appropriate and respectful professional relationships with colleagues and other staff
•
•
•
•  Act as an ambassador for the East Lancashire Hospice promoting at all times our vision which is to help everyone
who comes into contact with the hospice to make the most of life. We do this by committing to our values: to
care, listen, respect and work together to support people to live well until they die and support those affected
by death
To contribute in ensuring delivery of a high quality and responsive Hospice at Home service in Blackburn and
Darwen and Hyndburn and Ribble Valley communities

•

•  Motivated to deliver high standards of care and performance
•

To maintain good communication with the team through one-to-ones and team meetings

HCA H@H JD / LO / June / Final

•  Maintain effective communication and good working relationships with the multi-professional team within the

hospice

•  Maintain effective relationships with members of the primary healthcare teams and all other agencies involved

in delivering care in the community
•  Work flexibly to meet service demands
•  Act as a role model and participate in induction of new health care assistants
•  Carry out any other duties in line with the requirement of the post and the organisation

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

•  Access mandatory training appropriate to the role
•  Participate in the hospice appraisal system and access training opportunities to improve own knowledge and

skills

•  Participate in the education and training as appropriate and contribute to the induction and development of

new staff, students and volunteers under the guidance of registered practitioners

STATUTORY DUTIES
•  Ensure  the  security of  information  accessed  in the  course  of  your  duties  ensuring  compliance  with  the  Data

Protection Act, Caldicott principles and information governance best practice guidance

•  Report  any  hazards  or  incidents  in  accordance  with  the  Health  Safety  and  Risk  Management  Policy  and

procedures

•  Comply  with  the  East  Lancashire  Hospice  ‘no  smoking’  policy  in  all  hospice  premises  and  grounds

  Be

responsible for maintaining own vaccinations including Hepatitis B immunity (as applicable).

•  Ensure that infection control measures are followed in relation to your role
•  Work at all times to safeguard the rights of individuals promoting their wellbeing and protecting those at risk
from harm, acting on any concerns related to safeguarding children and adults at risk in line with policy and local
guidance

•  Work at all times to respect people’s individuality, rights and diversity to ensure equality

WORKING HOURS

The post holder will work their hours flexibly.  These will be worked according to a rota of up to any 5 days of a
7 day working week.

NOTES
This job description reflects how the post currently meets the needs of the service.  Since the hospice is constantly
developing  and  changing  its  services  to  ensure  it  meets  the  needs  of  the  community  it  serves,  the  role  and
responsibilities of the post holder may change accordingly.

This job description will be reviewed annually at the annual PDR and may change as is deemed necessary.

ACCEPTANCE OF JOB DESCRIPTION

I confirm I accept the duties contained in the above job description.

NAME: ............………………………………………..

HCA H@H JD / LO / June / Final

  SIGNED: ……….………………………………………..

    DATE: ……..…………………

EAST LANCASHIRE HOSPICE
Healthcare Assistant - Hospice at Home
Person Specification

Criteria

Essential   Desirable

Assessed By

Qualifications   Q1 Basic standards of English and Maths

Q2 NVQ Level 2 in care/equivalent

Q3 NVQ Level 3 in care/equivalent

Q4 National Care Certificate/or to
complete in post

Q5 Developed communication skills

Q1

Q2

Application
form/Certificates

Q3

Q4

Q5

Experience

E1 Practical experience of caring for
patients or family

E1

Application/Interview

E2 Minimum of two years’ experience in a
caring role

E2

Application

E3 Reliable, good basic housekeeping skills

E4 Experience of working in the
community

Knowledge

K1 Understanding and sensitive to the
needs of individuals requiring end of life
care

K2 Must be willing to undertake
development relevant to the role

K3 Ability to problem solve

K4 Be literate and numerate

E4

Interview

Application

Interview

Interview

Application/Interview

E3

K1

K2

K3

K4

HCA H@H JD / LO / June / Final

Personal
Attributes

PA1 Flexible approach to work, able to
work any shift pattern including nights

PA2 Able to work alone without direct
supervision

PA3 Able to work in a team

PA4 Able to relay messages accurately

PA5 Communicate effectively with
patients, relatives and colleagues

PA6  Highly  enthusiastic  and  motivated
about the work of the hospice

PA7 Willingness to partake in fund raising
activity

PA1

PA2

PA3

PA4

PA5

PA6

PA7

PA8 Ability to relate positively to peers

PA8

PA9 Understand and maintain
confidentiality at all times in line with
hospice policies

PA9

Interview

Interview

Interview

Interview

Interview

Application/Interview

Interview

Interview

Interview

PA10 Positive attitude to change and
flexible working practices

PA10

Interview

PA11 Car owner/driver

PA12  Excellent  attendance/health/time
keeping record

PA11

PA12

Application

References

PA13 Professional appearance and
behaviour

PA13

Interview

PA14 Willingness to adapt to change as the
organisation develops

PA14

Interview

HCA H@H JD / LO / June / Final