Healthcare Assistant

An exciting opportunity has arisen at Cynthia Spencer hospice for a band 3 healthcare assistant who has an understanding and interest in palliative care.

Working as an effective member of the team, providing care for patients under the supervision of a qualified nurse, promoting good communication that supports the rights of the patients. You will be expected to take on a link role within the service; this will be agreed with Matron and the senior nursing team. You will be expected to supervise and mentor Band 2 HCA's on the ward as well as supervising ward volunteers. There will be occasions when HCA's are required to assist Sisters/Charge Nurses or Matrons with ordering of clinical supplies usually in the absence of the Matron's Assistant. The post holder will be a senior HCA within the service, therefore it is essential they act as a role model within the ward environment and supervise and guide junior HCA's and volunteers., The hospice provides 24/7 delivery of specialist palliative care to patients of any age over 18 years, with life limiting disease providing care over a 24 hour period. Varying shift patterns includes late and/or early shifts, nights, weekends and bank holiday working. The post you are applying for is for Specialist Palliative Care - Countywide. Whilst this post is identified at a nominated base of Cynthia Spencer Hospice, Northampton or Cransley Hospice, Kettering please be aware that on occasion the interviews may be for posts at either location. Please state in your application if you have a preference of a specific Hospice, but please be aware that on occasion due to service need we may request for you to work form the other hospice site.

At NHFT we are proud to offer you a Prepare to Care programme to help you transition into this new role. This includes generic skills and service specific skills to ensure a solid foundation on which to build your career. The Care Certificate will run in conjunction with the Prepare to Care Programme for those who have not already previously attained this qualification.

Experience of working in palliative care whilst an advantage is not essential, as support & training will be provided as part of local induction. Good communication and interpersonal skills are essential for these posts as you will be required to communicate sensitively and compassionately with patients and family.

NHFT is an integrated primary care and mental health Trust, providing physical, mental health and specialty services in both hospital settings and out in the community. Because we put the person at the centre of all we do, we focus on delivering care that is as easy to access as possible. This means many of our services can be provided at home, work or in schools.We also provide health services to various prisons and detention centres in Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.

NHFT promotes a culture of learning to improve the care and safety of our patients and staff, which focuses on people who enable our Trust to be 'outstanding' by supporting opportunity, innovation, development and growth.

All staff in a non-registered staff role will undertake NHFT's Prepare to Care programme as part of their induction. Using a blended learning approach, you will attain key skills and competencies enabling you to provide safe and compassionate care from the very start. Alongside this, you will also complete the Care Certificate within your first 12 weeks of employment, this may act as stepping stone should you wish to further your career later on. You will be supported through your induction by a dedicated team, who's primary focus is to ensure you have the right skills to do your job effectively.