JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
HOSPICE AT HOME HEALTHCARE ASSISTANT - STBH
Reference Number
Band 6
Department:
Hospice at Home
Location:
St Barnabas House
Reporting to:
Hospice at Home Team Leader
Job Purpose:
To support the Registered Nurses in providing evidence based,
individualized end of life care to patients in their own homes
adhering to statutory regulations and Hospice policies.
To provide support for carers and relatives looking after their loved
one at home
Direct Reports:
None
Position in Organisation
Director of
Nursing
Day Hospice
Team
Leader
Community
Services
Manager
Ward
Sisters
Out-Patient
Services
Co-ordinator
Hospice at
Home Team
Leader
Hospice at
Home
Health Care
Assistant
Hospice at
Home
Registered
Nurse
Contact with others
Internal:
All Hospice staff and volunteers.
External: Patients, Carers, Relatives, Primary Health Care Teams, Hospital Health Care Teams,
Care Homes, Social Services, Emergency Services, Other Voluntary Organisations.
Healthcare Assistant – H@H
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Main areas of responsibility
Key Accountabilities &
Tasks
% Importance
 To work under the direct and indirect supervision of the
Clinical
Hospice at Home Team Leader in the delivery of quality
holistic nursing care for patients in their own homes.
 Provide support and assistance to the Hospice at Home
Team Leader
35%
 The role will involve working alone for specific periods
and will require the individual to work with an agreed
level of autonomy.
 To take into account, and meet, the physical,
emotional, spiritual, and social needs of the patient,
their relatives and friends.
 To contribute to the keeping of accurate and relevant
records by recording the care provided.
 Help promote and maintain an environment that is safe
and conducive to meeting the needs of patients, their
relatives and friends.
 Promote and maintain dignity and privacy at all times.
 To be aware of, and adhere to, all local policies and
protocols.

Communication

30%



Specific interventions


15%


Healthcare Assistant – H@H
To establish and maintain effective communication and
working relationships with multi-disciplinary teams
within the community, Hospital and St Barnabas House.
To communicate effectively with patients, relatives and
carers to establish and maintain trusting relationships.
To offer a high level of emotional support to patients,
relatives and/or carers particularly during the, breaking
of bad news and time of death, recognising own
limitations and referring to the Hospice at Home Team
Leader as appropriate.
To report changes in condition noticed in patients to the
Hospice at Home Team Leader to ensure that care is
planned and implemented appropriately.
To assist patients with their personal care and all
activities of daily living.
To help move, position and mobilise patients.
To perform clinical observations i.e. temperature, blood
pressure, pulse and respirations, observing for any
abnormalities and reporting accordingly.
Under the direction of a Registered Nurse perform
simple aseptic dressings.
Under the direction of a Registered Nurse update care
plans as appropriate.
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
Health & Safety

10%



Education



10%

To act at all times to promote the safety and wellbeing
of patients.
To ensure the home environment is free from hazards
and all nursing equipment is safely and appropriately
stored.
To attend mandatory training.
To ensure the safe use of hazardous substances
according to COSHH regulations.
To contribute to Health and Safety risk assessments
and actions required as a result, as appropriate.
To attend mandatory training.
To develop and maintain own knowledge and skills in
palliative care.
To take part in formal educational activities under the
guidance of Hospice at Home Team Leader and the
Head of Education.
To contribute to the Hospice at Home Team resource
files.
Decisions / Recommendations
Decisions are made each shift as to the appropriateness of nursing interventions and the
need for Registered Nurse input.
The job involves contribution to written procedures.
Dimensions and limits of authority / influence
Delegated responsibility for allocated patients’ care, including identified specific
interventions.
Responsibility to report any concerns/changes in the patient’s condition as much of job
involves working without direct supervision.
Responsible for knowing own limitations and when to seek advice/help
Responsible for the handling of patient’s valuables and property.
Allocation / checking of work
Job involves initiating own activities.
Working under the direction of the Registered Nurses.
Activity recorded as part of the patient records.
Physical effort
Work is physically labour intensive, on feet for most of the shift and sometimes
continuously.
Regular safe manual handling of patients and equipment, including beds, mattresses,
chairs and deceased bodies necessary - significant risk with the manual handling of some
patients who can be unpredictable.
Regular bending and stretching involved, at times in awkward/difficult positions.
Healthcare Assistant – H@H
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Mentally tiring due to prolonged episodes of listening and support for patients/carers
Driving and getting in and out of car between visits.
Some computer work, requiring repetitive hand movements.
Working conditions / environment
Routinely exposed to patients with infections, infected linen and body fluids.
Recognised protective clothing including aprons and gloves to be worn as required.
Daily contact with distressed patients, carers and relatives requiring a high level of
emotional support.
Constant involvement with the dying process and death.
Regular exposure to distressing scenes, and occasionally verbal abuse from patients or
relatives.
Lone worker for variable amounts of each day.
Work involves driving to clients and exposure to all weathers.
Qualifications, skills and knowledge required
Qualifications and/or Experience
NVQ Level 3
Experience working as a Healthcare Assistant in other settings – preferably community
Skills






Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to work within a team.
Ability to use own initiative
Ability to respond to changing situations
Able to identify personal coping strategies
Hold a full driving licence and have own transport which has business cover on the
insurance.
Personal grief resolved sufficiently to cope and perform within palliative care setting
Knowledge
Able to demonstrate a good insight into palliative care principles and philosophy
OTHER DUTIES
To undertake any other duty within your ability and within reason, as may be
required from time to time, at the direction of your line manager.
Healthcare Assistant – H@H
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