Job title: Hospice at Home Healthcare Assistant
Reports to: Hospice at Home Lead
Hours:
Post 1- 19.25 hours a week
Post 2- 18.5 hours per week
Post 3- 18.375 hours per week
These shift patterns will mainly consist of early and late shifts, with one or two longer days each week.
Post 4- 22.875 hours per week (short shifts only)
Salary: £ per hour depending on qualifications
Location: Provide care for patients in their own homes.
Work flexibly across the North Nottinghamshire area.
Beaumond House
Through the doors of Beaumond House you will find a lively and vibrant space, filled with life and laughter. Our staff, volunteers and patients alike bring hope and happiness together in a ‘home from home'. Patients are at the centre of all that we do. We therefore expect all those who come to join our team (in whatever capacity) to ensure that dignity, safety and confidentiality of all patients is respected at all times and that all patients receive the highest possible standard of physical, psychological and spiritual care.
Role Purpose
To work with the Beaumond House team and the End-of-Life Care Together Integrated Hub to maintain the standard of excellence so the philosophy and values of Beaumond House Hospice Care are met.
To provide individual high-quality care for patients in their own homes, including appropriate support for families, in line with hospice policy and agreed care plans. Care may include supporting patients while symptoms are assessed and brought under control, caring for the dying, supportive psychosocial and spiritual care in line with any agreed plan, enabling patients’ independence and supporting discharge home.
You work under the direction of a Registered Nurse, Hospice at Home Lead and the wider multidisciplinary team and follow local and national end of life care policies. You use all equipment appropriately, for example hoist and slide sheets. Sensitive communication is essential as the role supports patients and those close to them at difficult and emotional times.
You help support admission avoidance and early, safe discharge so more people can remain at home where this is their preference, in line with guidance from the Integrated Hub.
Main Duties
- Work under the direct supervision of the RN and in line with the patient’s care plan, providing care to meet fundamental health care needs. This includes assisting patients with toileting, personal care and supporting patients to eat and drink as independently as possible.
- Assist patients with personal care while maintaining privacy and dignity at all times.
- After induction and when assessed as competent, undertake some visits independently in line with the written care plan and with clear guidance from the RN or Hospice at Home Lead.
- Support patients with medication once you have completed medicines support training and been signed off as competent in line with hospice medicines policy. This may include prompting, assisting and, where authorised, administering prescribed medication as recorded on the medication administration record, always under the direction of an RN and within your defined level of competence.
- After completion of food hygiene and food safety training, prepare and serve simple meals, snacks and drinks for patients who need this support, following hospice policies on food hygiene, storage, allergens and patient preferences.
- Provide continuing care for patients and families following death. Assist in care after death, respecting spiritual, cultural and religious needs.
· After completing training and a formal competency assessment, carry out verification of expected death in the community for patients known to the service, in line with the Beaumond House Verification of Expected Death policy and local guidance.
· Complete all required documentation and communicate the verification of expected death promptly to the RN, GP, the Integrated Hub and any other relevant professionals, and escalate to the RN or on call clinician if you have any concerns or if the criteria for verification of expected death are not met.
- Support families with practical next steps as appropriate, including liaising with funeral directors in line with hospice guidance.
- Ensure safe custody of the patient’s property and follow hospice procedures for recording and handing over valuables.
- Take responsibility for patient safety and ensure any care you give is in line with the training you have received and follows either verbal direction from the RN or written nursing care plans. This includes care and management of patients who are unable to maintain their own safety because of reduced mental capacity, cognitive impairment or sensory deficit.
- Act in a non-judgemental way and treat every patient as an individual, respecting their choices, wishes, customs, values and beliefs, irrespective of your own.
- Establish the preferred method of communication for the patient and their family.
- Communicate effectively and appropriately with patients from diverse backgrounds, including different cultures, and with patients who have sensory loss, communication difficulties or challenging behaviour.
- Ensure any queries raised by patients, families and visitors are responded to in a friendly and sensitive way and directed to the appropriate professional if you cannot resolve them yourself, while always maintaining confidentiality and privacy.
- Communicate with and support patients while carrying out care which may be of a sensitive nature.
- Pass on to the appropriate professional any concerns or wishes expressed by the patient or family.
- Make accurate records at the point of care using the hospice’s records and report relevant information directly to the RN and, where required, to the Integrated Hub or Care Navigator so care plans and priorities stay up to date.
- Contribute to the continuous assessment of patients by reporting any deterioration, change in condition or concern to the RN and liaising with allied professionals where appropriate.
- Attend team meetings and other touch points such as one to ones and after death reviews.
- Establish and maintain good working relationships with other staff members and volunteers.
- Communicate appropriately with all members of the multidisciplinary team, other colleagues, patients, relatives and loved ones, always displaying a friendly and approachable manner.
- Assist in the orientation and induction of new staff, students, bank and agency staff, including use of equipment and basic care skills.
- Attend relevant study days and courses, including mandatory training, medicines support, verification of expected death and food hygiene, to gain and maintain the knowledge and skills set out in the knowledge and competency framework.
- Take an active role in the prevention of cross infection, understanding and applying the principles of infection control in accordance with hospice policy.
- Carry out activities that ensure a safe environment for patients, those close to them and staff. This includes identifying and reporting faulty equipment and cleaning and reporting spillages in line with hospice policy.
- Comply with fire safety procedures.
- Report any incident or near miss immediately to the RN.
- Assist in monitoring, storing and disposal of equipment and hazardous materials in line with health and safety guidelines, including safe disposal of sharps and soiled linen.
General Duties
- Work collaboratively and cooperatively with your Beaumond House colleagues and End of Life Care Together Alliance partners.
- Respect confidentiality in all areas of Beaumond House.
- Abide by the Health and Safety at Work Act.
- Work within Beaumond House policies and procedures.
- Participate in and contribute to team meetings.
- Always behave in a professional manner, reflecting and maintaining Beaumond House values.
- To work flexibly across the area of delivery in North Nottinghamshire.
Skills, Experience and Attributes Required
· At least two years working in a similar role.
· NVQ or equivalent or a commitment to work towards a qualification in care or end of life care.
· Experience in caring for palliative patients or relevant transferrable experience.
· Good telephone and interpersonal communication skills.
· Ability to work as part of a team and respect for all individuals.
· Flexibility, excellent listening skills and ability to build rapport with others, with a friendly and sensitive approach.
· Willingness to complete medicines support training and food hygiene training and to work within clear competency frameworks.
· Good spoken and written English to understand and follow care plans, accurately record care given and communicate sensitively with patients and families.
· Driving licence and access to a suitable vehicle with business insurance.
What we ask of you
· That you act in a manner at all times which supports the Vision and Values of
Beaumond House
· That you have a positive and proactive approach
· That you are confident and trustworthy
Please note
All roles are subject to receipt of satisfactory references. Roles may be subject to enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service checks.
This Job Description is intended as a guide only and is not an exhaustive list of duties. It is subject to periodic review with the post holder
Please note: We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.
Closing date for applications: 14th August 2026
Pay: From £12.71 per hour
Work Location: In person
