JERSEY HOSPICE CARE

JOB DESCRIPTION Job title: Health Care Assistant Reports to: Senior Sister – In Patient Unit Hours: 37.5 hours per week (on a shift pattern) Purpose of the job To participate in the provision of Palliative Care for patient’s whilst under the supervision of Registered Nurses. Together with other members of the In Patient Unit team, maintain standards within the unit that will ensure that the care provided: physical, psychological and spiritual is of the highest possible quality at all times. Specific duties: Take responsibility for the general care and safety of patients allocated by the registered nurse in charge. Ensure care is carried out to a high standard, following the patient’s individual care plan and providing clear reports to the next shift. Assist with patients’ personal clinical care, record patient observations, collect specimen and administer drugs to patients in accordance with their care plan and under the supervision of the registered nurse in charge of the shift. To monitor and observe for changes in patients’ conditions and symptoms, advising the Registered Nurse as appropriates. Contribute to patient care planning by maintaining accurate, contemporaneous records regarding own actions and/or interventions. Provide support and assistance to Registered Nurses when carrying out nursing procedures.

Plan own workload in collaboration with the Registered Nurses; changing priorities depending upon patient’s needs. To work closely with other members of the care team, recognising and working within own capabilities, but always acting in the best interest of the patient and family.

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Ensure families are received at the hospice into a welcoming, relaxed and friendly environment. Ensure that patient and family confidentiality is maintained at all times. Facilitate opportunities for patients and families to talk, should they wish to. Understand the importance of listening and develop listening skills with the appropriate training. Communicate factual information to patients using persuasion, reassurance, tact and sensitivity. Assist and support volunteers with their duties. Take responsibility for being aware of and, up to date with current policies and procedures and to adhere to these at all times. Ensure adherence to all Infection Prevention and Control policies and procedures set by the charity. Generate a friendly team spirit with all staff and volunteers at Jersey Hospice Care. NB: The above does not purport to be an exhaustive list of duties but is intended to indicate the range and type of duties required. The duties of the post may alter to reflect changing practices within the service. Knowledge and experience

• Previous experience as an HCA in a care setting or similar work experience. • Commitment to undertake further development to achieve Palliative Care education and

training up to vocational Level 3. • Excellent verbal and written communication skills. • An ability to work with patients facing life limiting illnesses and their carers and to

demonstrable compassion and resilience when working with those facing loss and bereavement.

• Experience of working in a team setting and ability to work both on their own and under close supervision.

• Flexible approach to working hours and the willingness to work occasionally during the evening, night and weekend.

• A clean driving license is essential as this role may occasionally involve driving to visit patients who are in their own homes.

JERSEY HOSPICE CARE BACKGROUND Jersey Hospice Care is a charitable organisation that provides specialist palliative nursing and holistic care, free of charge. The charity is governed by a Council of Trustees and is committed to providing a professional service of the highest standard to all those entrusted to its care. Its aims are to enable

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patients to live the remainder of their lives to the full, to remain at home if they wish and to die with dignity where they choose. The charity covers a range of services and activities as follows:

Community team - the Hospice Community nursing team is generally the first point of contact patients and families have with Jersey Hospice Care. Patients are referred with the agreement of their GP. This team consists of a team of specialist nurses who work in the community with patients and their families, providing a 24-hour on-call service.

Day Hospice - patients attending our Day Hospice facilities have their nursing/medical needs assessed by the multi-disciplinary team of nurses, physios and complementary therapists. It also provides the opportunity for social interaction and a welcome respite for families.

In Patient Unit - the In Patient Unit comprises twelve single en-suite bedrooms. The In Patient Unit is staffed by qualified nurses and auxiliary nurses experienced in pain and symptom management and end of life care.

Therapeutic Care - Jersey Hospice Care offers a comprehensive range of therapies and complementary therapies provided by skilled practitioners, which are available in patients’ homes, through the In Patient Unit, Day Hospice and Community Bereavement Service.

Community Bereavement Service - the Community Bereavement Service is available to anyone in the community who has suffered a loss, regardless of the nature of the bereavement. This service aims to offer help and support to those who have experienced bereavement and are having difficulty coming to terms with the loss. The service is managed by staff with the help of trained volunteers.

Retail - there are two Jersey Hospice Care shops - a town shop in St Helier and a country shop in St Ouen, both now incorporated into a subsidiary trading company; Jersey Hospice Care Retail Limited. The shops are important sources of fundraising, as well as providing a vital contact with the island community.

Fundraising - the Income Generation team is responsible for the many and varied fundraising activities that are crucially important to the financial stability of the charity. This function has now been incorporated into a trading subsidiary of Jersey Hospice Care; Jersey Hospice Care Fundraising Limited.

Administration and support services - a range of staff are responsible for the administration, accounts management, housekeeping and catering services that are vital to the smooth running of the charity. The Administration team are typically the first point of call for those contacting Jersey Hospice Care.

Volunteers - Jersey Hospice Care depends on the generous support of a large body of volunteers who assist in a wide range of roles across all areas of the charity. These include helping in with Day Hospice, on the In Patient Unit, within the Community Bereavement Service and with fundraising and gardening etc.

Review This job description was last reviewed in January 2018. Page 3 of 5

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Equal opportunities statement Jersey Hospice Care is committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity amongst our workforce. We demonstrate commitment to equality and fairness for all in our employment and do not discriminate on the grounds of gender, marital status, race, ethnic origin, colour, nationality, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, religion or age. We oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination.

Data Protection Applications made in respect of this position will remain confidential, those that are unsuccessful will be kept for a period of 12 months from date of receipt at which point they will be destroyed. The application of the successful candidate will be kept on their personnel file for three years post termination of employment Fair processing notice – Staff Jersey Hospice Care is registered to process personal and sensitive information under the Data Protection (Jersey) Law 2005– notification number 17510. Information collected during the recruitment process will be used to support your application to Jersey Hospice Care. We may also need to share your information with third parties such as previous employers, referees and agencies to verify the information and confirm your suitability to work. Successful candidates will have their application details transferred to a personnel record and entered onto Jersey Hospice Care’s electronic staff record, including Payroll. Unsuccessful candidates will have any paper records disposed after an appointing decision has been made in line with our document retention policy. Employee information is not shared with a third party without your consent unless there is a legal basis for disclosure or if it is in the legitimate interest of Jersey Hospice Care, for example for contingency planning and disaster recovery. Employee information is processed for the purpose of maintaining a personnel record including attendance and performance. All individuals have a legal right to access information held about them and can amend factually incorrect information. Anyone wishing to obtain a copy of their employee record or for further details on their information rights please contact the Director of Workforce & Organisational Development in the first instance. November 2016

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