Overview
St Elizabeth Hospice is an independent charity and hospice, which improves life for people in the East Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney areas living with a progressive or life‑limiting illness. Established in 1989, the hospice has built a reputation for delivering high‑level care to patients and the community it serves. Through medicine and therapy, they ease pain; give life purpose and make life livable. Last year the charity supported over 4,000 patients and their families. Our most recent Care Quality Commission report rated the hospice as Outstanding.
Main duties of the job
Our ideal candidate will have NVQ level II in Health and Social Care or the Care Certificate, with experience in community / palliative care. As well as joining our rewarding and well‑respected organisation, St Elizabeth Hospice is here to support your career, with progression and training opportunities available to enhance your skills and development. Every patient and family member is valued, and we pride ourselves in giving dedicated time to care for patients, whether it is in a patient’s home, on the telephone through One Call or at the In‑Patient Unit in Ipswich.
Salary: WTE: £25,272.00 per annum (based on 37.5 hours per week)
Hours: Various hours available covering 7 days a week, day and night shifts.
St Elizabeth Hospice is committed to safeguarding and protecting the adults and young people that we work with and has a zero‑tolerance approach to abuse, neglect and discrimination of any person. As such, all posts are subject to a rigorous safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records and vetting checks. We have a range of robust safeguarding policies in place which promote safeguarding across the hospice and staff are expected to undertake regular, mandatory safeguarding training to equip them with the knowledge and skills to identify and respond to potential risks.
Job responsibilities
Job summary:
To work as part of the Virtual Ward team to provide holistic and specialist end‑of‑life care to patients to meet their preferred place of care; whilst working flexibly and responding to changing situations within the community.
Safeguarding responsibilities:
- To demonstrate a commitment to keeping adults and young people safe.
- To report any disclosure made to you to the appropriate person.
- To report any safeguarding concerns in the workplace to the appropriate person.
- To maintain an awareness of the hospice’s policies in relation to safeguarding.
Key responsibilities:
- To carry out agreed tasks involving direct patient care and activities within patients’ homes (IPU and Outpatient unit as required) working within the level of training and competence.
- To assist in physical care involving hygiene, elimination, eating and drinking, mobilisation, rest, sleep and comfort needs.
- To assist in meeting the patient and their family’s spiritual and psychological needs, recognising and respecting religious and cultural beliefs.
- To respect the patient’s need for social interaction or solitude, recognising the importance of work and recreation.
- To assist in providing support and comfort for the dying patient and his/her family.
- To work as part of a 24‑hour a day, 7 days a week service supporting the One Call service alongside community nursing team overnight which includes answering the phone and any duties delegated by the nursing staff. This could involve completing documentation on SystemOne, driving, stock checking, preparing equipment for nursing colleagues and supporting patients with personal care needs.
- To assist in effective verbal and written communication between patients, families and professionals working in the community and Hospice.
- To maintain accurate records of patient care.
- To perform certain clinical tasks such as bladder washouts – if appropriate and after passing competencies and training.
- To refer to additional Hospice services or/and District Nurse or Family Support Worker any symptoms, concerns for either the patient or family and changes or deterioration of the patient’s condition.
- To have an understanding of safeguarding principles and be able to apply these within everyday practice and intervention/within your role.
Responsibilities for all staff:
- Where the postholder is a member of a professional body, comply to the professional standards set by that body. Ensure registration is current and practice continuous professional development.
- Because of the special nature of the hospice and its work, the postholder may on occasion be asked to undertake other duties to help maintain our high standards of care and engagement.
Person Specification
Qualifications
- Good standard of education in numeracy and literacy.
- NVQ level II or Care Certificate (be prepared to complete if do not possess).
Experience
- Ability to assess patient needs, training will be given.
- Demonstrable experience of team working.
- To have an understanding of safeguarding principles and be able to apply these within everyday practice and intervention/within your role.
- Experience of working within a multi‑disciplinary team.
- Ability to plan, deliver and evaluation appropriate care packages.
Specific Skills
- Effective communicator ability to establish and maintain communication with patients, their families and colleagues.
- Ability to undertake routine assessments and deliver care to meet individual needs.
- IT literate ability to use Microsoft packages and Outlook or willingness to undertake training.
- Own transport/current driving licence.
Personal Qualities
- Be willing and able to develop own knowledge and skills and to contribute to the development of others.
- Ability to withstand sensitive and potentially stressful situations.
- Energetic and enthusiastic.
Benefits
- 27 days annual leave entitlement.
- Life Cover.
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Car Leasing Scheme.
- Health Service Discounts.
- Occupational Sick Pay.
- Blue Light Card.Employee Assistance Programme.
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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