Bank Bedded Unit Senior Healthcare Assistant
| Posting date: | 15 June 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | £15.41 per hour including holiday pay |
| Hours: | Part time |
| Closing date: | 12 July 2026 |
| Location: | Barnstaple, Devon |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | North Devon Hospice |
| Job type: | Temporary |
| Job reference: | BSHCA0626 |
Summary
Assisting with a range of patient care duties under the indirect supervision of registered staff
Assisting in the provision of high-quality palliative care for patients and their relatives and carers
Assisting with care which encompasses the physical, social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of patients and their family members
Assisting patients to maintain all aspects of daily living activities and, where appropriate, promote and facilitate patients to develop independence in accordance with individual programmes of care as delegated by registered nursing staff
Maintaining patient skin integrity, updating pressure ulcer risk assessment tools that have been completed initially by a Registered Nurse, as well as escalating any change in risk level or changes to skin appearance that require assessment from a Registered Nurse.
Assisting patients with eating and drinking, including supporting patients with enteral feeding regimes, according to training and competency
Updating eating and drinking assessments and sharing information appropriately with the Catering team
Assisting and assessing patients’ elimination needs including continence, catheter and stoma care, considering alternative management plans in collaboration with the Registered Nurse where identified
Helping with non-pharmacological approaches to maintain patient comfort and managing symptoms, e.g. comfort rounds and re-positioning, mouth care, listening and reassuring
Demonstrating a knowledge of, and carrying out care and clinical procedures and clinical observations etc. that are consistent with Diploma in Health and Social Level 3 or equivalent
Providing patients with complementary therapies where workload allows and in accordance with training and competency, ensuring documentation is completed following any therapies provided
Assisting with last offices when required
Acting as second checker for controlled drugs administration following training and competency being achieved
Supporting the Registered Nurse in the admission process by completing individualised core care plans and eating and drinking assessments according to training and competence
Supporting the Registered Nurse in staff competency training / assessments in moving and handling, blood glucose monitoring, pressure ulcer risk assessments and Display Screen Equipment assessments
Working closely with Registered Nurses in a link nurse role, assisting with training, audits and service development for areas of special interest
Taking an active role in training on the electronic healthcare record system for any Healthcare Assistants who are new to the team
Supporting bereaved people with advice and signposting to relevant services following the death of their friend / relative
Carrying out aspects of technical care following appropriate training with accurate record keeping, e.g. clinical tasks such as:
o Taking and recording vital signs. i.e. temperature, pulse, and respiration rate
o Urine testing and obtaining specimens
o Blood glucose monitoring
o Venepuncture
o Wound care
o Basic foot care including nail trimming and filing
Maintaining appropriate sensitive, caring and tactful relationships with patients, families and carers
Ensuring valid consent is gained before all aspects of care are delivered and understanding how the Mental Capacity Act is implemented when patients are unable to give valid consent
Supporting patients, and their family members, as they approach end-of life and at time of bereavement
Informing Registered Nurses of any significant changes in patients’ condition and family’s needs
Supervising, where appropriate, less experienced Healthcare Assistants who might be new to the team, welcoming them and help them learn the role of the HCA and North Devon Hospice
Ensuring that confidentiality of information is maintained at all times and in compliance with GDPR
Developing and sustaining a good working partnership with your colleagues, other health care professionals and external agencies
Providing all care within the boundaries of your own clinical competencies as delegated by a Registered Nurse and working to the standards set out in the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers and Adult Social care Workers in England (Skills for Health 2013)
Assisting in the provision of high-quality palliative care for patients and their relatives and carers
Assisting with care which encompasses the physical, social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of patients and their family members
Assisting patients to maintain all aspects of daily living activities and, where appropriate, promote and facilitate patients to develop independence in accordance with individual programmes of care as delegated by registered nursing staff
Maintaining patient skin integrity, updating pressure ulcer risk assessment tools that have been completed initially by a Registered Nurse, as well as escalating any change in risk level or changes to skin appearance that require assessment from a Registered Nurse.
Assisting patients with eating and drinking, including supporting patients with enteral feeding regimes, according to training and competency
Updating eating and drinking assessments and sharing information appropriately with the Catering team
Assisting and assessing patients’ elimination needs including continence, catheter and stoma care, considering alternative management plans in collaboration with the Registered Nurse where identified
Helping with non-pharmacological approaches to maintain patient comfort and managing symptoms, e.g. comfort rounds and re-positioning, mouth care, listening and reassuring
Demonstrating a knowledge of, and carrying out care and clinical procedures and clinical observations etc. that are consistent with Diploma in Health and Social Level 3 or equivalent
Providing patients with complementary therapies where workload allows and in accordance with training and competency, ensuring documentation is completed following any therapies provided
Assisting with last offices when required
Acting as second checker for controlled drugs administration following training and competency being achieved
Supporting the Registered Nurse in the admission process by completing individualised core care plans and eating and drinking assessments according to training and competence
Supporting the Registered Nurse in staff competency training / assessments in moving and handling, blood glucose monitoring, pressure ulcer risk assessments and Display Screen Equipment assessments
Working closely with Registered Nurses in a link nurse role, assisting with training, audits and service development for areas of special interest
Taking an active role in training on the electronic healthcare record system for any Healthcare Assistants who are new to the team
Supporting bereaved people with advice and signposting to relevant services following the death of their friend / relative
Carrying out aspects of technical care following appropriate training with accurate record keeping, e.g. clinical tasks such as:
o Taking and recording vital signs. i.e. temperature, pulse, and respiration rate
o Urine testing and obtaining specimens
o Blood glucose monitoring
o Venepuncture
o Wound care
o Basic foot care including nail trimming and filing
Maintaining appropriate sensitive, caring and tactful relationships with patients, families and carers
Ensuring valid consent is gained before all aspects of care are delivered and understanding how the Mental Capacity Act is implemented when patients are unable to give valid consent
Supporting patients, and their family members, as they approach end-of life and at time of bereavement
Informing Registered Nurses of any significant changes in patients’ condition and family’s needs
Supervising, where appropriate, less experienced Healthcare Assistants who might be new to the team, welcoming them and help them learn the role of the HCA and North Devon Hospice
Ensuring that confidentiality of information is maintained at all times and in compliance with GDPR
Developing and sustaining a good working partnership with your colleagues, other health care professionals and external agencies
Providing all care within the boundaries of your own clinical competencies as delegated by a Registered Nurse and working to the standards set out in the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers and Adult Social care Workers in England (Skills for Health 2013)