Main duties of the job
* Support and assist registered health care professionals in the assessment, management and monitoring of patients to help palliative care patients achieve and maintain optimum quality of life.
* Work across all areas of the hospice and in the community.
* Provide high‑quality care to service users accessed within the hospice, online or in the community.
* Coordinate a range of therapeutic activities within the hospice, online and in the community.
* Enable and assist patients to attend hospice groups and outpatient appointments using hospice transport.
Job responsibilities
* Adhere to hospice policies, procedures and standards, especially confidentiality, information governance, health and safety and infection control.
* Assist in initial assessment and follow‑up process with patients, supporting goal setting and negotiated care plans.
* Work autonomously with a defined workload, with supervision from registered health care professionals.
* Provide care, compassion and support to patients, service users and their families/carers.
* Carry out any tests, interventions or treatment plans following training and completion.
* Recognise and report changes in patients’ physical or emotional needs to the appropriate health care professional.
* Develop, coordinate and deliver one‑to‑one and group activity and exercise classes within the hospice, online and in patients’ homes.
* Plan varied and stimulating therapeutic activities, incorporating service user feedback and preferences, and complete appropriate risk assessments.
* Maintain accurate patient records in accordance with hospice policy and guidelines.
* Support the health, wellbeing and rehabilitation team with administrative duties such as inputting patient information into the hospice data base.
* Promote the health, wellbeing and rehabilitation service and liaise with the fundraising team for newsletters, newspapers and online articles.
* Maintain infection control measures and report any associated risks to senior colleagues.
* Record and report all accidents, complaints and untoward incidents following hospice policies.
* Utilise IT skills, including Microsoft Office, E‑Roster, internet, email and the hospice patient database (EMIS).
* Foster good working relationships and communicate effectively with multidisciplinary team members and external agencies.
* Provide clear, concise reports of patients’ progress and concerns to the multidisciplinary team.
* Advocate for patients and service users, ensuring their views are known, including in advance care planning and care decline situations.
* Manage complaints sensitively, adhering to hospice policy and procedure.
* Ensure accurate, contemporaneous documentation of patient care using electronic systems.
* Maintain and continue professional development through appropriate courses such as the Care Certificate, NVQ3 in Health and Social Care, and relevant rehabilitation courses.
* Participate in hospice-based education and audit, contributing to service outcome measures and improvement initiatives.
* Identify and implement risk assessments for patient activities and COSHH for chemicals used.
* Support safeguarding policies, the Mental Capacity Act and deprivation of liberty safeguards.
* Help promote an environment supporting infection prevention and control policies and procedures.
* Ensure correct storage, handling and utilisation of hospice equipment and supplies.
* Ensure the effective utilisation of the hospice’s computer‑based patient record system.
* Comply with hospice policies and procedures regarding confidentiality, information governance, health and safety and medicine management.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Basic literacy and numeracy skills.
* Willingness to undertake further training in palliative care/rehabilitation.
* Willingness to work towards a Diploma in rehabilitation; NVQ Level 3 Health & Social Care.
* Basic training in mobility assessment, daily living activity assessment and exercise programmes.
* Rehabilitation training.
* Training in palliative/end‑of‑life care.
* NVQ Level 2 or 3 Health and Social Care.
* Understanding and ability to promote and implement equal opportunities.
* Commitment to client‑centred, non‑discriminatory practice.
Experience
* Experience of working in a health or social care environment.
* Ability to relate previous experience to a palliative care and rehabilitation setting.
* Experience of working with adult service users.
* Experience of working in a palliative care setting.
* Proven experience as a therapy assistant in health or a similar setting.
* Experience of working with patients in a group setting.
Practical and intellectual skills
* Understanding and sensitivity to the needs of people with a life‑limiting illness, their families and carers.
* Ability to work with individuals and groups.
* Good understanding of confidentiality and information governance.
* Ability to liaise with other agencies and professionals.
* Good communication, record‑keeping and organisational skills.
* Demonstrate an understanding of confidentiality.
* Full UK driving licence & use of own transport (business insurance).
* Counselling / communication skills training.
Disposition and attitude
* Evidence of an ability to work independently and as part of a team.
* Ability to relate positively to colleagues and members of the MDT.
* Positive attitude to change and flexible working practices.
Health and physical
* Ability to move and handle people and equipment.
* Vaccinations appropriate to role.
Circumstances
* Work shifts between Monday to Sunday.
* Ability to work flexibly according to the needs of the service.
* Based in day therapy & working across all hospice areas and the community.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a submission to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
£15,014 to £15,619 a year; salary dependent on level 3 health & social care qualification.
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