NHS
Senior Healthcare Assistant (SHCA) - Hospice - Community Based
This job is now closed
Job Description
- Req#: B0460-26-0009?language=en&page=69&sort=publicationDateDesc
- Deliver personalised palliative care and symptom management at home, visiting patients 24/7.
- Support the SMH Living Well Service, including MND and long-term neurological conditions.
- Maintain high standards of care, communication, and record-keeping.
- Collaborate with healthcare professionals, patients, families, and carers to ensure a seamless, compassionate service.
- Assist with personal care of the patient
- Assist with patient transfers and mobility
- Vital signs observations, e.g., temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate, respiration rate, pulse oximetry
- Blood Glucose
- Urethral Catheter insertion and care
- Urinalysis
- Bowel care
- Simple wound dressings
- Venepuncture
- Care for the persons body after death
- Assist with personal care of the patient
- Assist with patient transfers and mobility
- Vital signs observations, e.g., temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate, respiration rate, pulse oximetry
- Blood Glucose
- Urethral Catheter insertion and care
- Urinalysis
- Bowel care
- Simple wound dressings
- Venepuncture
- Care for the persons body after death
- IT literate.
- Awareness of palliative care principles and philosophy.
- An understanding around basic patient personal care.
- Ability to perform the following activities:
- Vital signs observations
- Urinalysis
- Blood Glucose
- The ability to work well with others.
- Be confident in the use of electronic patient record IT systems, e.g., EPR, CHIE,
- Ability to perform the following activities:
- Urethral Catheter insertion cand care
- Bowel care
- Simple wound dressings
- Venepuncture
- Care for the persons body after death
- Recognise death and dying in patients.
- An RQF or NCFE Level 2 qualification in health and/or social care (NVQ, T-Level, BTEC) or at least 2 years experience working as an HCA in a healthcare environment.
- Educated to GCSE Grade 4 & above or Grade C & above or equivalent in key skills level 2 or functional skills level 2 numeracy and literacy.
- An RQF or NCFE Level 3 qualification in health and/or social care (NVQ, T-Level, BTEC).
- Awareness of End-of-Life Care - Level 2 NCFE CACHE Award (RQF) Course.
- Communication skills course.
- Sage and Thyme communication Skills.
- Previous work as an HCA.
- Demonstrated skill in providing personal care.
- HCA experience within the community setting.
- Experience of working within patients homes.
- Professional appearance
- Ability to communicate with all levels of staff
- Ability to exchange factual information accurately
- Ability to deal with sensitive situations
- The ability to work well under pressure
- Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situation
- Kind and compassionate
- Ability to work in death and dying
- Positive and flexible approach
- Willingness to learn new skills
- A full UK driving license and access to a vehicle with Business Insurance
- Ability to work, days, nights, weekends and public holidays
- Ability to work 12.5hr shifts
- IT literate.
- Awareness of palliative care principles and philosophy.
- An understanding around basic patient personal care.
- Ability to perform the following activities:
- Vital signs observations
- Urinalysis
- Blood Glucose
- The ability to work well with others.
- Be confident in the use of electronic patient record IT systems, e.g., EPR, CHIE,
- Ability to perform the following activities:
- Urethral Catheter insertion cand care
- Bowel care
- Simple wound dressings
- Venepuncture
- Care for the persons body after death
- Recognise death and dying in patients.
- An RQF or NCFE Level 2 qualification in health and/or social care (NVQ, T-Level, BTEC) or at least 2 years experience working as an HCA in a healthcare environment.
- Educated to GCSE Grade 4 & above or Grade C & above or equivalent in key skills level 2 or functional skills level 2 numeracy and literacy.
- An RQF or NCFE Level 3 qualification in health and/or social care (NVQ, T-Level, BTEC).
- Awareness of End-of-Life Care - Level 2 NCFE CACHE Award (RQF) Course.
- Communication skills course.
- Sage and Thyme communication Skills.
- Previous work as an HCA.
- Demonstrated skill in providing personal care.
- HCA experience within the community setting.
- Experience of working within patients homes.
- Professional appearance
- Ability to communicate with all levels of staff
- Ability to exchange factual information accurately
- Ability to deal with sensitive situations
- The ability to work well under pressure
- Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situation
- Kind and compassionate
- Ability to work in death and dying
- Positive and flexible approach
- Willingness to learn new skills
- A full UK driving license and access to a vehicle with Business Insurance
- Ability to work, days, nights, weekends and public holidays
- Ability to work 12.5hr shifts
Job summary
Were looking for motivated and passionate persons with previous experience working as a healthcare assistant to join our expanding Hospice at Home (H@H) Team. The ideal person would already have experience working in the community setting, with patients at the end of life.
The successful applicant will be part of a multi-disciplinary team, providing palliative and end of life care to patients and families in the community; on occasions you may be required to work within the Hospice Inpatient Unit.
Candidates must have the right to work in the UK. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
The applicants must be, enthusiastic, flexible, and have a passion for palliative and end of life care, have excellent communication skills and work well as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
This role involves working shifts, including both long days and night shifts (07:30-20:00 / 19:30-08:00) and regular weekends.
A full UK driving license and access to a vehicle are essential, as you will be travelling across the community within the hospices catchment area.
St. Michaels Hospice is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults, children and young people. All staff are expected to share this commitment. Successful candidates will be required to undergo relevant background checks, including a DBS check and provide satisfactory reference before starting the role.
Closing date - 1 March 2026
Main duties of the job
The role is based within the Hospice at Home team where the postholder is required to support the H@H Team to deliver 24/7 specialist palliative care to enable patients to be supported in the last 2 weeks of life, to stay at home where possible and desirable and provide support to their carer(s). The team will provide a rapid response to facilitate discharge from hospital to home and reduce hospital admissions.
The post holder will carry out assigned tasks involving direct patient care in support of and supervised by a Registered Nurse (RN) and will maintain a high standard of care within a patients home.
The H@H team consists of a multi-professional team working together to deliver the 24/7 Hospice at Home service for St. Michaels Hospice.
Key responsibilities:
To assist the RN with general and specific care of patients within the hospice and community, this includes practical nursing care and emotional support to patients and their carer(s).
About us
St. Michaels Hospice is a registered charity providing specialist palliative and end of life care services since 1992, for the people of North Hampshire. We are dedicated to providing care to people throughout North Hampshire who are affected by life limiting illness to attain the highest possible quality of life by providing a choice of specialist care and support.
As a charity, we depend on the kindness and support of our local community to continue offering our services free of charge. This care is made possible by supporters donating, taking part in fundraising events and activities, playing our lottery, shopping in our retail outlets, leaving gifts in their Wills or giving freely of their time to volunteer.
We offer a competitive salary with attractive benefits, including, free onsite parking, life assurance, 27 days annual leave, with service increments, plus bank holidays, and an extensive health and wellbeing plan and contributory pension.
Details
Date posted
12 February 2026
Pay scheme
Other
Salary
£24,375 to £25,567 a year
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Part-time
Reference number
B0460-26-0009
Job locations
Basil de Ferranti House
Aldermaston Road
Basingstoke
Hampshire
RG24 9NB
Job descriptionJob description
Job responsibilities
The role is based within the Hospice at Home team where the postholder is required to support the H@H Team to deliver 24/7 specialist palliative care to enable patients to be supported in the last 2 weeks of life, to stay at home where possible and desirable and provide support to their carer(s). The team will provide a rapid response to facilitate discharge from hospital to home and reduce hospital admissions.
The post holder will carry out assigned tasks involving direct patient care in support of and supervised by a Registered Nurse (RN) and will maintain a high standard of care within a patients home.
The H@H team support the patients actively under the care of St. Michaels services by providing a community visiting service. This includes care for patients known to the Living Well Services, SMH Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Service and the SMH Long-Term Neurological Conditions Service.
The H@H team consists of a multi-professional team working together to deliver the 24/7 Hospice at Home service for St. Michaels Hospice.
Responsibilities
To assist the RN with general and specific care of patients within the hospice and community, this includes practical nursing care and emotional support to patients and their carer(s).
To efficiently undertake duties requested by the qualified nurses
To report any observed deterioration or change in patient symptoms to the RN
To continually assess/re-assess the manual handling needs of patients to ensure patient and staff safety.
To ensure that Infection Prevention and Control standards are maintained at all times.
To contribute to care plans under the guidance of the RN
To accurately document care delivered, supporting the RNs with the completion of nursing documentation as directed
Support the RN with the completion of the CHC Fast Track documentation within the limitation of the SHCA role
Respond with sensitivity and empathy, providing basic emotional support
To provide care for the deceased patients body after death, meeting any specific patients wishes and instruction, ensuring the safe and timely removal of the body from the home working within the procedures in place within the community.
To contribute to the ordering and storage of clinical stores required for hospice at home
To ensure that equipment is kept clean and in good working order, is checked routinely and that any defect or malfunction is reported
Work as directed by the Hospice at Home Lead
Clinical Skills
Undertake clinical tasks under direction of registered nurses, and within assessed competencies, which may include:
Communication and MDT working
To hold the hub phone and deal with all enquiries with a consistent level of courtesy and consideration
Work collaboratively alongside other members of St. Michaels Hospice and other organisations caring for those at the end of their life
Attend and participate in handovers, IPM's, caseload reviews and team meetings
Supports patients and family members to foundation level 1 psychological support during the end of life (NICE approved four tier model of psychological support)
To offer emotional support to patients and/or carers particularly during breaking of bad news and at time of death, recognising own limitations and referring to the RN as appropriate
To report any feedback, concerns and complaints, issues around safeguarding from patients, their relatives, or others acting on their behalf.
Ensure all safeguarding concerns are raised in line with SMH policy and escalated to the SMH Nominated Healthcare Professional for Safeguarding or their deputy or a member of the Safeguarding Committee.
Understand and maintain confidentiality, adhere to GDPR and data protection rules.
General
To respect the property of the patients and their carer(s) at all times.
To complete competency documents related to this role.
To attend clinical supervision
This role involves working shifts across long days, including both day and night shifts. The pattern of work will be working flexible across Monday Sunday as part of the Hospice at Home team, working patterns are changeable and will be routinely reviewed to meet ongoing demand and service development. Contracted hours are worked over a 4-week roster period.
A full UK driving license and access to a vehicle are essential, as you will be travelling across the community within the hospices catchment area. A pool car is available although sometimes you will be required to use your own car for which mileage can be reclaimed
To be aware of the security of the Hospice building out of office hours
To adhere to the SMH lone working policy. Continually risk assess the working environment, reporting new concerns or risks to the RN and/or H@H Lead.
Job responsibilities
The role is based within the Hospice at Home team where the postholder is required to support the H@H Team to deliver 24/7 specialist palliative care to enable patients to be supported in the last 2 weeks of life, to stay at home where possible and desirable and provide support to their carer(s). The team will provide a rapid response to facilitate discharge from hospital to home and reduce hospital admissions.
The post holder will carry out assigned tasks involving direct patient care in support of and supervised by a Registered Nurse (RN) and will maintain a high standard of care within a patients home.
The H@H team support the patients actively under the care of St. Michaels services by providing a community visiting service. This includes care for patients known to the Living Well Services, SMH Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Service and the SMH Long-Term Neurological Conditions Service.
The H@H team consists of a multi-professional team working together to deliver the 24/7 Hospice at Home service for St. Michaels Hospice.
Responsibilities
To assist the RN with general and specific care of patients within the hospice and community, this includes practical nursing care and emotional support to patients and their carer(s).
To efficiently undertake duties requested by the qualified nurses
To report any observed deterioration or change in patient symptoms to the RN
To continually assess/re-assess the manual handling needs of patients to ensure patient and staff safety.
To ensure that Infection Prevention and Control standards are maintained at all times.
To contribute to care plans under the guidance of the RN
To accurately document care delivered, supporting the RNs with the completion of nursing documentation as directed
Support the RN with the completion of the CHC Fast Track documentation within the limitation of the SHCA role
Respond with sensitivity and empathy, providing basic emotional support
To provide care for the deceased patients body after death, meeting any specific patients wishes and instruction, ensuring the safe and timely removal of the body from the home working within the procedures in place within the community.
To contribute to the ordering and storage of clinical stores required for hospice at home
To ensure that equipment is kept clean and in good working order, is checked routinely and that any defect or malfunction is reported
Work as directed by the Hospice at Home Lead
Clinical Skills
Undertake clinical tasks under direction of registered nurses, and within assessed competencies, which may include:
Communication and MDT working
To hold the hub phone and deal with all enquiries with a consistent level of courtesy and consideration
Work collaboratively alongside other members of St. Michaels Hospice and other organisations caring for those at the end of their life
Attend and participate in handovers, IPM's, caseload reviews and team meetings
Supports patients and family members to foundation level 1 psychological support during the end of life (NICE approved four tier model of psychological support)
To offer emotional support to patients and/or carers particularly during breaking of bad news and at time of death, recognising own limitations and referring to the RN as appropriate
To report any feedback, concerns and complaints, issues around safeguarding from patients, their relatives, or others acting on their behalf.
Ensure all safeguarding concerns are raised in line with SMH policy and escalated to the SMH Nominated Healthcare Professional for Safeguarding or their deputy or a member of the Safeguarding Committee.
Understand and maintain confidentiality, adhere to GDPR and data protection rules.
General
To respect the property of the patients and their carer(s) at all times.
To complete competency documents related to this role.
To attend clinical supervision
This role involves working shifts across long days, including both day and night shifts. The pattern of work will be working flexible across Monday Sunday as part of the Hospice at Home team, working patterns are changeable and will be routinely reviewed to meet ongoing demand and service development. Contracted hours are worked over a 4-week roster period.
A full UK driving license and access to a vehicle are essential, as you will be travelling across the community within the hospices catchment area. A pool car is available although sometimes you will be required to use your own car for which mileage can be reclaimed
To be aware of the security of the Hospice building out of office hours
To adhere to the SMH lone working policy. Continually risk assess the working environment, reporting new concerns or risks to the RN and/or H@H Lead.
Person SpecificationPerson Specification
Skills, Knowledge, Abilities
Essential
Desirable
Qualifications
Essential
Desirable
Experience
Essential
Desirable
Attitude, aptitudes, personal characteristics
Essential
Other requirements
Essential
Skills, Knowledge, Abilities
Essential
Desirable
Qualifications
Essential
Desirable
Experience
Essential
Desirable
Attitude, aptitudes, personal characteristics
Essential
Other requirements
Essential
Additional informationDisclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
St Michael's Hospice (North Hampshire)
Address
Basil de Ferranti House
Aldermaston Road
Basingstoke
Hampshire
RG24 9NB
Employer's website
Employer details
Employer name
St Michael's Hospice (North Hampshire)
Address
Basil de Ferranti House
Aldermaston Road
Basingstoke
Hampshire
RG24 9NB
Employer's website
About the company
National Health Service (NHS) is the umbrella term for the publicly-funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom (UK). The founding principles were that services should be comprehensive, universal and free at the point of delivery—a health service based on clinical need, not ability to pay. Each service provides a comprehensive range of health services, free at the point of use for people ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom apart from dental treatment and optical care.
Notice
Talentify is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.
Talentify provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities, including disabled veterans. Request assistance at accessibility@talentify.io or 407-000-0000.
Federal law requires every new hire to complete Form I-9 and present proof of identity and U.S. work eligibility.
An Automated Employment Decision Tool (AEDT) will score your job-related skills and responses. Bias-audit & data-use details: www.talentify.io/bias-audit-report. NYC applicants may request an alternative process or accommodation at aedt@talentify.io or 407-000-0000.