Senior Healthcare Assistant (Ward)

Job summary

This role matters.

A unique opportunity has arisen to join our specialist Inpatient Ward team as a Senior Healthcare Assistant on a 12-month fixed term contract to cover maternity leave. Could it be you?

This is a rewarding role where you will help deliver compassionate, person-centred care to patients with palliative and end of life needs, working under the direction of our experienced registered professionals within our specialist hospice setting.

Our Inpatient Ward provides holistic care and support to patients and their loved ones so that they can hopefully feel well enough to go home again or stay with us for end-of-life care. We pride ourselves on giving the highest standards of care to the patients on the ward, by creating a calm and peaceful environment where patients can rest and feel comfortable.

You will join a professional, skilled and compassionate team dedicated to putting patients and those close to them at the heart of everything they do, ensuring that on the journey towards the end of life, we provide the right care, in the right place, at the right time. We are also committed to ongoing learning and development, helping you build your skills, confidence and experience within specialist palliative care.

This role is for 24 hours per week (worked over a full rotation of shifts) and the pay is based on these hours. Night shifts also receive a £15 night allowance per night worked.

Main duties of the job

JOB PURPOSE

As a Healthcare Assistant, working to the standards set out in the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers, you will support and implement the delivery of nursing care to patients within a clinical setting as part of a team and under the direction of a registered professional. Flexible working will be required to meet the needs of the patients group and will include working evenings, weekends and nights as part of the nursing rota.

About us

St John's Hospice is a well established and respected local charity, and we offer free palliative care to patients with life shortening conditions both in our Inpatient Ward Unit and through our Community Services (Hospice at Home).

The Inpatient Ward provides care for patients and their families so that they can hopefully feel well enough to go home again, or stay at the Hospice for end of life care: not everyone who comes to St Johns Hospice comes here to die, very many go home again. We provide care for people with a range of life shortening illnesses such as cancer, respiratory diseases, heart conditions, Parkinsons and many other diseases. Our ward provides short stay care, from days to weeks, depending on the patients needs and what care other teams can provide for them.

Our Ward is led by an experienced and supportive Management Team. Our patients are at the heart of everything we do, and you would play a key role in a person's wish to stay, and be cared for on our Inpatient ward, providing crucial care for them and their loved ones.

St John's Hospice is rated as CQC Good.

Details

• Date posted: 28 August 2026
• Pay scheme: Other
• Salary: £18,732.48 to £19,306.56 a year *NHS Pension subject to eligibility. Plus £15 per night worked
• Contract: Fixed term
• Duration: 12 months
• Working pattern: Part-time
• Reference number: B0502-26-0008
• Job locations: Slyne Road, Lancaster, LA2 6ST, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

Accountable To: Director of Nursing & Quality

Reports To: Head of Ward Services

MAIN DUTIES

• Undertake a broad range of nursing support activities and duties relating to the holistic care of patients with end of life care needs.
• Have an understanding of the philosophy and ethos behind the care provided at St Johns Hospice, and to assist the registered nurses in developing and maintaining a safe, caring and supportive environment for patients, relatives and staff.
• Provides care for named patients with end of life needs in accordance with the patients care plan as defined by the Registered Nurse, with minimum direct supervision.
• Ensure that the physical, emotional, spiritual and social needs of patients in St Johns Hospice remain paramount at all times.
• Work in collaboration with your colleagues to ensure the delivery of high quality, safe and compassionate healthcare, care and support.
• Promote and uphold the privacy, dignity, rights, health and wellbeing of people who use health and care services and their carers at all times.
• Communicate in an open and effective way to promote the health, safety and wellbeing of people who use health and care services and their carers.
• Respect a persons right to confidentiality.
• Act in a responsible, professional manner at all times whilst employed by and undertaking duties at St Johns Hospice. To be aware of the policies governing health and safety and fire prevention and reporting.

CLINICAL

• Monitor patients vital signs and record & report to Registered Nurse.
• Alert to, and recognise changes in patients symptoms and conditions and notify Registered Nurse as necessary.
• Assesses patients condition using
• As achieved/maintained current BLS for Healthcare Assistants.
• If identified by line manager complete training for basic manual lymphatic drainage and administer to relevant patients after delegation by a Registered Nurse.
• Sets up and carries out/assists with clinical procedures correctly maintaining sterile field and ANTT.
• Assists with initial admission process of patients, records accurately information relating to social; nutritional preferences; This is me leaflet.
• Shows awareness of discharge planning and contributes to relevant aspects.
• Awareness of Mental Capacity Act & Deprivation of Liberty situations and how to manage.
• Awareness of Protection of Vulnerable Adults.
• Performing all duties as delegated by a Registered Nurse.
• Be accountable by making sure you can answer for your actions or omissions.
• Undertakes delegated clinical tasks and procedures once St Johns Hospice Healthcare Assistant competencies have been successfully completed.
• Assist in the provision of basic patient care. This care is prescribed by Registered Nurses in individual care plans.
• Assist patients in meeting their personal care needs.
• Assist with patients personal hygiene, including basic assessment of mouth care requirements, and meet toilet care needs.
• Replace a wound dressing according to care plan, and after delegation by a Registered Nurse.
• Assist patients with moving and handling.
• Demonstrates safe and appropriate use of hoists and manual handling equipment.
• Assist in the preparation and distribution of drinks and support feeding if necessary.
• Encourage occupational activities.
• Cares for the patient after death and supports family members/carers, when appropriate.
• Listen and talk with patients, relatives and friends and report relevant information to Registered Nursing staff.
• Assist patients with access to the Pastoral Care Team for religious or spiritual support as required according to St Johns Hospice guidelines.
• In line with Hospice policies on patient documentation, update patient records ensuring entries are accurate, relevant and contemporaneous and hand over care given appropriately.
• Communicate relevant information about patients to the ward team for shift hand-over reports and at multi-disciplinary team meetings.
• Be responsible for training all relevant hospice staff on a medical device.

PEOPLE AND DEPARTMENTAL CONTRUBUTION

• Assist in providing a welcoming, friendly and professional environment where relatives may participate appropriately as partners within the caring team.
• Hold a lead link role and attend relevant meetings and actions.
• Maintain a respectful, non-judgemental and caring attitude toward all patients, their families and friends.
• Uphold and promote equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Support new Healthcare Assistant staff on the ward.
• Promote at all times the Hospice philosophy and uphold St Johns core values.
• Assist in the maintenance of harmonious working relationships within the ward team.
• Participate in agreed methods of off-duty planning and annual holiday booking arrangements.
• Provide support to new Healthcare Assistants and volunteers.

EDUCATION & DEVELOPMENT

• Strive to improve the quality of healthcare, care and support through continuing professional development.
• Complete all annual/bi-annual & tri-annual Mandatory Training.
• Participate in annual appraisal scheme.
• To learn required skills and to widen experience as appropriate.
• Successfully complete Medicines module and hospice medicine competencies.
• Support Registered Nurses in their education and hands on care.
• Attend additional education sessions as provided, and as appropriate.

This job description is not intended to be definitive or restrictive and may be subject to review and amendment.

STANDARD/ENHANCED DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

Enhanced DBS disclosure + Adult Barring Check required for this post.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES TO ST. JOHNS HOSPICE

Please refer to the uploaded Job description for full details of the points below

1. Confidentiality

2. Health and Safety

3. External Interests

4. Statutory Training

5. Flexibility

6. Safeguarding

7. Disclosure and Barring

8. Equality and Inclusion

9. Volunteers