Bank Hospice Care Assistant (Ward)

Job summary

We have a fantastic opportunity for passionate and committed Hospice Care Assistants to join our inpatient unit, Sylvan Ward on a Bank contract basis.

Main duties of the job

The Bank HCA will work independently providing safe, competent, and ethical client care under the guidance of registered healthcare professionals, in the delivery of palliative care to patients and their families, utilising protocols and procedures and report accordingly to appropriate professional.

About us

St Nicholas Hospice Care is a successful charity serving the local area of West Suffolk and Thetford. Every year we support nearly 2,000 local people, delivering care across multiple settings. Our services are not just for patients, but for their family and friends too, and include everything from specialist medical care to bereavement support and practical help.

As an employee, you will have access to the following Benefits:

• Free onsite parking
• Onsite catering
• Access to Blue Light Card scheme with a range of discounts

Details

• Date posted: 14 October 2026
• Pay scheme: Other
• Salary: £12.55 an hour
• Contract: Bank
• Working pattern: Flexible working
• Reference number: B0142-26-0028
• Job locations: Hardwick Lane, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 2QY, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

Key Responsibilities or Duties:

To carrying out tasks involving direct patient care and support to patients and families

Work with registered health professionals to deliver specialist palliative care to patients

To act within the limits of own competence and authority

To support and direct clinical care assistant volunteers

Clinical intervention

Communicate effectively with patients, carers and professionals

Support individuals who are distressed

Support individuals and carers to cope with their emotional and psychological and spiritual wellbeing

Assist in the assessment of an individuals needs arising from their health and social status

Assist in the assessment of the need for, and the provision of, environmental and social support in the community

Undertake personal hygiene for individuals unable to care for themselves

Support individuals during and after clinical therapeutic interventions

Contribute to care planning and review by implementing, monitoring and evaluating care

Prepare individuals for health care through appropriate moving and positioning

Prepare environments and resources for use in health care activities

Monitor an individuals progress in managing their illness and assist the individual's management of their condition and treatment plan

Support others in providing health care actions through assisting the practitioner to implement healthcare activities

Assist in the implementation of mobility and movement programmes for individuals to restore optimum movement and functional independence

Assist individuals in undertaking activities and enable them to choose and participate in activities that are meaningful to them

Help individuals to maintain mobility and support the use of technological aids to promote independence

Support individuals to retain, regain, and develop the skills to manage their lives and environment including enabling individuals to use assistive devices and assistive technology

Work in collaboration with family/carers to enable them to support individuals

Deliver and collect clinical items or patients accessories to and from West Suffolk Hospital

Special Features of the job

Bank HCAs may be required to work across all the various services: community care including groups and clinics provided at outreach centres and Sylvan ward

Personal Development (all staff)

Each employee must co-operate and attend all appropriate mandatory and statutory training as required by the organisation

Health and Safety (all staff)

All staff have responsibilities to ensure that our working environment continues to be a safe, secure, healthy and fulfilling place to work

Employees of St Nicholas Hospice Care are required to work in line with the Health and Safety Policy to ensure not only their own health and safety, but that of others too

Governance

Be aware of and comply with all relevant Hospice policies, guidelines and procedures

Ensure the maintenance of confidentiality in respect of patient, staff, volunteer, and organisational records

Be aware of, and use the procedure to report any incidents, risks and safety concerns

General (all staff)

Act as an ambassador for the charity and encouraging others to do the same

At the heart of our strategic vision, our One Team approach aims to support creative and flexible responses from every member of our workforce in order to benefit each and every person using our services, from clinical care, retail, fundraising, education and the support services. There is an expectation for everyone to support colleagues beyond their own team

Ensure the maintenance of confidentiality in respect of staff, volunteer and client records and all privileged information relating to the services of the Charity, its patients, staff and volunteers and particularly of the area for which directly responsible

Undertake any other duties which may be reasonably required

The philosophy of the Hospice is based on a multi-skilled, cross-departmental approach. Staff regardless of grade or discipline, are required to participate in this concept. The role of volunteers is integral with the work of St Nicholas and paid staff are required to underpin this in their attitude and actions

All staff must be sympathetic to and able to project the philosophy and concept of hospice care

The Hospice has in place provision for staff support. Staff are expected to exercise responsibility in accessing and providing whatever forms of support might be appropriate for them to ensure that they are able to offer the professional care for which they are employed

This Job Description may change and the duties listed are not exhaustive, but such change will only be made following consultation between the (relevant) "Manager" and the post holder

Equality & Diversity

Promote equality of opportunity and diversity

Promote the rights and diversity of individuals

Management and Administration

Contribute to the effectiveness of teams

Maintain information/record systems

Receive and pass on messages and information

IT communication accurately and in a timely manner

Participate in inter-disciplinary team working to support individuals both in the hospice and the community