Health Care Assistant 18hrs per week-Fixed term 1 yr-(NVQ Level 3)
The post holder will be a member of the Hospice at Home teamand will undertake a broad range of duties relating to the care of patientswith diverse end stage palliative conditions within their own homes, primarilyworking night shifts. The post holder will provide practical and emotional helpand support for named patients at home through the final stages of theirillness and into bereavement as directed by the Registered Manager, Head ofClinical Services, and the patients Clinical Nurse Specialist.
Main duties of the job
Towork under the direct and indirect supervision of the Registered Manager andthe Clinical Nurse Specialist, in the delivery of quality holistic nursing carefor patients in their own homes.
Dealwith specific needs of palliative care patients and be aware of the needs oftheir friends and relatives, deliver appropriate care in line with care plans.
Recogniseand feedback any changes in patient condition and where required takeappropriate action to support care and treatment under the direction of atrained nurse.
Ensureeffective communication with staff and patients and refer questions frompatients, relatives, and carers to the appropriate personnel and communicateanswers.
Recordappropriate information in patient records in accordance with legal andprofessional requirements.
Ensurethat you are familiar with the patients capabilities and needs to allow you toassist the patient with their activities of daily living, including:
Careof patients with continence problems. Assist with toileting needs.
Assistpatients as required with drinking and eating.
Ensurepatients comfort and be aware of the needs for preventing pressure areaproblems
Assistwith the safe moving of patients and to mobilise with appropriate aids, withinHospice of the Valleys manual handling policies and guidelines.
Provideelements of personal care (e.g. care of hair, nails, shaving) where thecompletion of which will support the patients sense of well-being and dignity
About us
At Hospice of the Valleys, we are proud toprovide compassionate, specialist palliative care to people living withlife-limiting illness across Blaenau Gwent. Our work is centred on dignity,respect, and supporting patients and their families when they need us most.
Job responsibilities
Main Responsibilities
To work under the direct andindirect supervision of the Registered Manager and the Clinical NurseSpecialist, in the delivery of quality holistic nursing care for patients intheir own homes.
Deal with specific needs ofpalliative care patients and be aware of the needs of their friends andrelatives deliver appropriate care in line with care plans
Recognise and feedback anychanges in patient condition and where required take appropriate action tosupport care and treatment under the direction of a trained nurse.
Ensure effective communicationwith staff and patients and refer questions from patients, relatives, andcarers to the appropriate personnel and communicate answers.
Record appropriate information inpatient records in accordance with legal and professional requirements.
Ensure that you are familiar withthe patients capabilities and needs to allow you to assist the patient withtheir activities of daily living, including -
Care of patients with continenceproblems. Assist with toileting needs.
Assist patients as required withdrinking and eating.
Ensure patients comfort and be aware of the needs for preventing pressure area problems
Assist with the safe moving ofpatients and to mobilise with appropriate aids, within Hospice of the Valleysmanual handling policies and guidelines.
Basic mouth care
Provide elements of personal care(e.g. care of hair, nails, shaving) where the completion of which will supportthe patients sense of well-being and dignity
To assist in providingoccupational activities as necessary
To be with the anxious/restlesspatient and sit with an unconscious patient
Assist with administration ofpatients medication in line with Hospice of the Valleys policy.
If in a patients home when theydie, assist with last offices and support other nursing staff with the careof the deceased.
To be aware of, and take intoaccount, the physical, emotional, spiritual and social needs of the patient,their relatives and carers, recognising own levels of competence and referringon as necessary.
Help promote and maintain anenvironment that is safe and conducive to meeting the needs of patients, theirrelatives, and carers.
Promote and maintain dignity andprivacy at all times
Education
Attend allmandatory and statutory training as required by the Hospice
Attend studysessions as agreed by the Registered Manager and Deputy Head of ClinicalServices to update knowledge, obtain new skills and support and shareexperiences to ensure best practice is maintained.
Clinical Effectiveness
Must possess aLevel 3 NVQ in Health & Social Care. Must be registered with Social CareWales and maintain registration.
Abide by andwork to the policies and procedures of Hospice of the Valleys
Participate inannual appraisal, working in partnership with the line manager to identify gapsin knowledge/skills and develop a plan to enhance service and self-development.
Manage clinicalduties and resources effectively to ensure the smooth running of the service,working alone for periods, adhering to the Hospice of the Valleys Lone WorkerPolicy
Attend clinicalsupervision, either on a one-to-one basis, or as part of a group in accordancewith Hospice of the Valleys policy and guidelines from Social Care Wales.
At all times tomaintain the following standards:
be approachable
trustworthy
motivated todeliver high quality care
supportive tothe patient, their family, carers and colleagues
demonstratemotivation and initiative
ability to workautonomously or as part of a team
flexible to meetservice needs
non-judgementaland sensitive to the patients culture, political views, sexuality, religiousbeliefs, hobbies and interests
Health and Safety
All employees have a responsibility under the Health &Safety at Work Act 1974 to protect and promote their own health and that ofothers in the workplace
No Smoking Policy
Hospice of the Valleys operates a No Smoking Policy
Data Protection
All employees are required to uphold the confidentiality ofall information records in whatever format, encountered in the course ofemployment and after it. All employees are bound by the requirements of theData Protection Act when, in the course of their employment, they deal withinformation records relating to individuals
It is the aim of Hospice of the Valleys to ensure that nojob applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds ofsex, race, colour, nationality, or ethnic origins, or is placed at adisadvantage by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to bejustifiable. To this end, Hospice of the Valleys has an Equal OpportunitiesPolicy and it is for each employee to contribute to its success.
Thisjob description is not exhaustive and may be amended following appropriateconsultation
Person Specification
Other
* Ability to participate in 24hr/7day shift rotation. (Predominantly, but not exclusively, the work will be nights from 22.00-07.00)
* Valid UK driving licence and regular use of a car
Qualifications
* NVQ 3 in Health & Social Care
* Registered with Social Care Wales
* Administration of Medicines Certificate
Personal Qualities and Circumstances
* Good communication skills-both written and verbal
* Calm under pressure
* Enthusiastic with can do approach
* Able to use own initiative
* Ability to respond to changing situations
* Team player
* Evidence of completing patient care plans
* Desire to increase knowledge & skills within palliative care
* Ability to recognise causes of stress both individual and professional and know how to initiate appropriate action
* Evidence of further study undertaken in relation to palliative care needs
Experience
* Minimum 2 years experience in a health care setting.
* Community working experience
* Specialist palliative care experience
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.
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