Job summaryWe are currently in the position to recruit a Health Care Assistant to St. Benedicts Hospice and Centre for Specialist Palliative Care located in Ryhope.This is an excellent opportunity for an individual with an interest and desire to contribute to the delivery of excellent nursing care to patients with specialist palliative care needs.You will be part of the specialist palliative care team assisting the qualified staff to provide high quality care and assistance to all patients and families during their stay in the hospice. You will be expected to assist trained staff with nursing interventions and treatments, communicate with patients and carers directly protecting their dignity, choices, self-esteem and well-being at all times. You will participate as a member of the Multi-Disciplinary Team in the delivery of holistic care.You will be working within a service that provides In-Patient, Day Care and Out of Hours Services so will be working to a rota which covers 24 hours seven days per week including bank holidays and includes rotation onto night duty.Main duties of the jobYou will be/have:An understanding of Palliative Care PhilosophyDesire to work within this specialityExperience in a hospital/care environment,Good communication skillsAbility to work as part of a teamAble to move and handle safely without causing harm to yourself or othersCare Certificate / equivalent experienceWe will offer excellent working conditions and a supportive culture promoting Continuous Professional Development and Life Long LearningFor an informal discussion please contact: Chris Allisonon telephone number 0191 5128424 email chris.allison@nhs.netThis post is subject to enhanced DSB disclosure.Application form and Job Description available from: www.jobs.nhs.ukIf you have not received a reply within 6 weeks of the closing date please assume that your application has been unsuccessful.About usPlease help us by adding your telephone number to your application form this will allow us to contact you quickly if required.One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for STSFT. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via the Trust's Flexible Working Policy.The Trust employs around 8,300 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area, in some cases to a population as great as 860,000. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Childcare Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.Job descriptionJob responsibilitiesPLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FURTHER DUTIES OF THE ROLE.Personal and oral hygieneMobility and positional changePressure area care and the safe use of pressure relieving devicesObserve and assist the patient to eat and drink (particularly at mealtimes) and document what they have taken, thus maintain the hydration and nutritional needs of the patient as directed by the registered professionalMaintaining the patient and carers privacy and dignityBladder and bowel care and the promotion of continenceThe delivery of individualised, person centred care, including self -careEnsuring the safety of all patients, particularly those who are vulnerableEscort and transfer patients to different areas or department of the hospital or externally to other healthcare facilities, acting in a professional manner whilst doing this and having regard to the patients needs and feelingsChaperone medical and nursing staff as requiredUndertake care delivery as delegated by a registered practitionerPerson SpecificationQualificationsEssentialCare CertificateLevel 2/3 Health/Health and Social Care NVQ or committed to completing Care Certificate qualification on commencement to postDesirableMaths and English at level 1 or above (GCSE A to G or equivalent)Skills and KnowledgeEssentialAbility to prioritise tasksAbility to communicate health related information in an understandable way to patients and colleagues, adapting communication style to meet the needs of the recipientAbility to communicate messages and instructions accurately to colleagues, both verbally and in writingBasic skills of empathy and reassuranceBasic keyboard skillsAbility to use basic email system and document clearly, using plain EnglishBasic understanding of health and safety requirements in a patient environmentGeneral understanding of confidentiality requirements in a health care settingWilling to undertake further training related to roleWilling to complete Competency Based Assessments and a Portfolio of evidence, in order to achieve the Care CertificateDesirableDesire to work in Specialist Palliative CareUnderstanding of Palliative Care PhilosophyPhysical SkillsEssentialAbility to assist patients to move as per Trust Moving and Handling PolicyExperienceEssentialMinimum of 3 months experience of working in a hospital / care setting as a paid carer.DesirableExperience in a hospiceDisclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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.Employer detailsEmployer nameSouth Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation TrustAddressSt. Benedicts HospiceSt. Benedicts WayRyhopeSunderlandSR2 0NYEmployer's websitehttps://www.stsft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)