A wonderful opportunity has arisen within the Ayrshire Hospice community team. We are looking for a senior care
assistant to join our team in providing exceptional palliative care to patients with a life limiting illness
across Ayrshire and Arran. Working within the Respite and Response team, the successful applicant will provide
personal care and planned respites to patients in their own homes.
The community team thrive upon making a difference to individuals. The job, although demanding, is incredibly
rewarding. Our every day work is in line with our hospice values of inclusion, kindness, honesty and compassion;
and this is evidenced in both our care and the support of our staff.
Our community team is dynamic and enthusiastic as we strive to continually improve the care of patients. The team
consists of senior care assistants, care assistants, palliative care nurses and specialist palliative care
nurses, all of whom work together to bring their collective expertise to the forefront in caring for our
patients and families.
Applicants for the post will find palliative care experience advantageous. A desire to undertake further training
within the role is essential.
Please note: A full driving licence and access to their own vehicle for work purpose is essential.
Successful candidates will receive mentorship in the new role together with the support of the wider team.
The senior care assistant, as part of the Respite and Response Team, will provide person centred, holistic care
within the patient’s own home setting. The role involves practical nursing care, emotional, social and
psychological support to individuals with specialist palliative care needs, in addition to supporting their
families and carers.
In collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team the senior care assistant will actively participate in the delivery
of evidence based person-centred specialist palliative care, support and advice. They will regularly rotate
across departments within the hospice to enhance and develop their knowledge, skills and experience to ensure
that they are fully up-to-date and have a complete understanding of a patient’s journey across services.
The senior care assistant will be expected to coach less experienced members of the team by demonstrating sound
clinical knowledge and skills in leadership. They will provide education for other health and social care
professionals within the community and hospital settings.
Main Responsibilities
The Respite and Response team are managed by the Lead Practitioner for Community Nursing. They are mentored by the
Specialist Nursing team with regular support and one to ones.
The post holder will be required to deliver a range of duties without direct supervision and assist the community
SPCNs in the provision of high-quality palliative care in the community.
The senior care assistant works in collaboration with the hospice multi-disciplinary team in addition to working in
collaboration with other health and social care professionals in primary care.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Education / Qualifications
Essential:
Desirable:
- Further education within palliative care or other specialities
- A desire to further education
Knowledge / Experience
Essential:
Desirable:
- Palliative care experience
Ability / Skills Personal Qualities
Essential:
- Provide personal care to a high standard and demonstrate an evidence-based approach to this
- Demonstrate
a person-centred approach with care
- Demonstrate excellent communication skills
- Demonstrate an
ability to manage difficult situations including high levels of patient and family distress
Personal Qualities
Essential:
- Demonstrate hospice values of honesty, kindness, compassion, and inclusion
- Able to work well in a team or alone
- An interest in palliative care
- An interest in providing care in the community