Job Summary
Health Care Assistant within the Carer Support team at St Leonard's Hospice. This full‑time role (37.5 hrs/week, 9am‑5pm, Monday‑Friday, with occasional weekend cover) provides social and practical support to patients with palliative and end‑of‑life care needs while their carers attend appointments or take a break. It is essential in allowing patients to remain at home and achieve end‑of‑life wishes.
Main duties of the job
* Support patients’ needs for several hours at a time (playing cards, listening to music, chatting, watching TV or other activities chosen by the patient).
* Provide hands‑on care as required by the patient’s care plan.
* Maintain excellent communication with patients, carers and the multi‑disciplinary team.
* Keep accurate and timely records of care.
* Work as part of a dedicated team, ensuring patients and families receive compassionate and high‑quality support.
What We Need From You
* Excellent interpersonal skills.
* Ability to respond appropriately to emotionally challenging situations.
* No previous care experience is required.
* Own a car and hold a full UK driving licence.
* Enhanced DBS check.
What We Can Offer You
* Salary above NHS pay scales.
* Shift enhancements for unsociable hours.
* Up to 41 days annual leave.
* Continuation of NHS pension and annual leave entitlement (T&Cs apply).
* Attractive (non‑NHS) pension scheme.
* Extensive employee discounts (shops, holidays, lifestyle choices, Blue Light Card).
* Training and development opportunities.
* A supportive and friendly working environment.
* Day shifts that promote a good work/life balance.
About Us
We provide excellent care and support to people with life‑limiting illness, placing patients at the centre of everything we do and involving families in all decisions. We achieve this through a dedicated team, education, audit and research.
Details
* Date posted: 03 February 2026
* Salary: £25,082 to £26,753 a year
* Contract: Permanent
* Working pattern: Full‑time
* Reference number: HG1491560MaiHCA
* Job location: St Leonard's Hospice, 185 Tadcaster Road, York, North Yorkshire, YO24 1GL
Job Description
This hands‑on role involves delivering person‑centred care and social support to patients and their families. You will travel to patients’ homes, stay for several hours to give carers respite, and work largely alone with support from the wider Hospice and community teams.
Professional Responsibilities
* Develop and maintain excellent communication with patients and families, passing relevant information to registered nurses.
* Carry out personal care duties as per patient care plans.
* Complete patient records accurately and promptly for each visit.
* Support patients’ social and activity needs during visits.
* Exercise care and economy in using property and equipment.
Person Specification
Essential
* Committed to providing a measurable, high‑quality service.
* Aware of and able to cope with a pressured environment.
* Confidential and discreet.
* Accurate, methodical, honest, trustworthy, reliable and punctual.
* Approachable team player, flexible to changing needs.
* Respectful of others’ ethnic, religious or spiritual beliefs.
* Environmentally aware and enthusiastic.
* Good written and verbal communication.
* Good interpersonal skills, sensitivity, empathy.
* Ability to work effectively in a multi‑disciplinary team.
* Good basic IT skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
* Care Certificate or willingness to undertake training.
Other requirements
* Prepared to assist with Hospice fundraising activities.
* Vehicle owner with full UK driving licence.
* Enhanced DBS check.
Desirable
* Knowledge of York and surrounding area.
* NVQ Qualification in Care.
* Experience of palliative care.
* Experience of working as a carer.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A DBS check will be required to verify no previous criminal convictions.
Employer details
St Leonard's Hospice
185 Tadcaster Road
York, North Yorkshire
YO24 1GL
St Leonard's Hospice website
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