Bank Health Care Assistant

St Helena Hospice is seeking Bank Health Care Assistants, to work within the Hospice IPU.

Please note the shifts are on a rota basis and will include weekends.

Main duties of the job

The key priorities of this role are:

To assist registered nurses, OT's and physiotherapists in providing high standards of specialist care to patients and their relatives.

Identify and adapt clinical support given under the varying professions guiding principles of care and be able to switch approach as directed.

About us

St Helena Hospices core values and behaviours will be embedded in our recruitment, our training and development review and our decision making process.

Training and competencies within the specialities, as well as on-going support and professional development, will be tailored to meet your individual needs.

In return we offer;

A competitive and progressive salary.

Enhanced hourly rates for working unsocial hours

NHS Pension (for active members who wish to transfer and continue their membership)

Group Pension Plan for non NHS Pension Staff

Clinical Supervision

Employee Assistance and Wellbeing support

We cover the cost of your DBS Check and the periodic renewal

Uniform provided

Free on site parking

Subsidised dining and complimentary drinks

Details

Date posted

16 September 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£12.71 an hour

Plus Unsocial hours

Contract

Bank

Working pattern

Flexible working

Reference number

B0423-26-0029

Job locations

St. Helena Hospice

Barncroft Close

Highwoods

Colchester

CO4 9JU

United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

Please note we are unable to offer sponsorship

Duties & Responsibilities:

In conjunction with other members of the team, and in line with your

level of competence, assist in meeting the needs of patients: hygiene,

elimination, nutrition, mobilising, maintaining independence, pain.

Be able to recognise and advocate for the promotion of independence and

personalised care, based on patients' life histories and expressed preferences

about their own care.

Meet the therapy needs of the patient through the delivery of the

therapy plan of care devised by the registered therapist.

Identify the psychosocial and spiritual needs of families and friends

under his/her care and communicate to the Supervisor.

To implement rehabilitation programmes devised by the OT or physio and

when needed, follow up interventions.

To practice daily living activities with patients on the ward under the

guidance of the OT/Physio, e.g. functional transfers, personal care, or

mobility.

To assess and provide basic mobility and daily living equipment aids to

patients, report to the Occupational Therapist (OT) or Physio (PT) as

appropriate and arrange for loan or replacement of equipment with statutory

services.

To implement therapeutic interventions such as exercise, stretching,

energy conservation, pacing and relaxation, reporting to OT/PT as necessary.

Perform Last Offices to deceased patients including safe custody of

valuables and belongings.

Maintaining health and safety within the ward area, i.e. ensure fire

exits are clear, cupboards safely stocked, and hazards removed and reported.

Check and

ensure that equipment is clean and in working order ready for use

Ensure

that all information recorded by the individual is in accordance with St Helena

policy (i.e patient records, incident/accident reports).

Escort

patients to hospital appointments, home visits or recreational trips.

Assist in

checking Controlled Drugs with Registered Nurse (on completion of Drugs

Competency Framework).

Ensure

you follow all policies and procedures in relation to prevention and infection

control

Undertake

and record clinical observations reporting results to Registered Nurse

Undertake

simple dressings independently, within level of competence and assist

Registered Nurses with complex

dressings.

Shifts are 12 hours

Job responsibilities

Please note we are unable to offer sponsorship

Duties & Responsibilities:

In conjunction with other members of the team, and in line with your

level of competence, assist in meeting the needs of patients: hygiene,

elimination, nutrition, mobilising, maintaining independence, pain.

Be able to recognise and advocate for the promotion of independence and

personalised care, based on patients' life histories and expressed preferences

about their own care.

Meet the therapy needs of the patient through the delivery of the

therapy plan of care devised by the registered therapist.

Identify the psychosocial and spiritual needs of families and friends

under his/her care and communicate to the Supervisor.

To implement rehabilitation programmes devised by the OT or physio and

when needed, follow up interventions.

To practice daily living activities with patients on the ward under the

guidance of the OT/Physio, e.g. functional transfers, personal care, or

mobility.

To assess and provide basic mobility and daily living equipment aids to

patients, report to the Occupational Therapist (OT) or Physio (PT) as

appropriate and arrange for loan or replacement of equipment with statutory

services.

To implement therapeutic interventions such as exercise, stretching,

energy conservation, pacing and relaxation, reporting to OT/PT as necessary.

Perform Last Offices to deceased patients including safe custody of

valuables and belongings.

Maintaining health and safety within the ward area, i.e. ensure fire

exits are clear, cupboards safely stocked, and hazards removed and reported.

Check and

ensure that equipment is clean and in working order ready for use

Ensure

that all information recorded by the individual is in accordance with St Helena

policy (i.e patient records, incident/accident reports).

Escort

patients to hospital appointments, home visits or recreational trips.

Assist in

checking Controlled Drugs with Registered Nurse (on completion of Drugs

Competency Framework).

Ensure

you follow all policies and procedures in relation to prevention and infection

control

Undertake

and record clinical observations reporting results to Registered Nurse

Undertake

simple dressings independently, within level of competence and assist

Registered Nurses with complex

dressings.

Shifts are 12 hours

Person Specification

Qualities

Essential

• Proven ability to work off own initiative and as part of a team.
• Flexible to meet needs of service.
• Physically able to undertake the job.
• Proven coping strategies when under emotional pressure

Qualifications

Essential

• GCSE level 4 and above in English and Maths
• Full UK Driving Licence

Desirable

• NVQ any level in care
• Computer literacy
• St Helena Drugs Competancy Framework

Experience

Essential

• Experience working with people and handling difficult situations.

Desirable

• Experience of working in health or social care setting.

Communication

Essential

• Proven written and verbal communication skills. Clear verbal communication skills demonstrable with a range of people.
• Ability to accurately record any information required i.e. patient records, telephone messages or information as requested by
• patients

Desirable

• Communication Skills Training

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Proven awareness of the possible needs of patients, families under the care of St Helena
• Knowledge of illness as a carer and the ability to recognise when a person has physical, social, psychological or spiritual care needs.
• Demonstrated commitment and understanding to the Hospice philosophy and the work of St Helena.

Person Specification

Qualities

Essential

• Proven ability to work off own initiative and as part of a team.
• Flexible to meet needs of service.
• Physically able to undertake the job.
• Proven coping strategies when under emotional pressure

Qualifications

Essential

• GCSE level 4 and above in English and Maths
• Full UK Driving Licence

Desirable

• NVQ any level in care
• Computer literacy
• St Helena Drugs Competancy Framework

Experience

Essential

• Experience working with people and handling difficult situations.

Desirable

• Experience of working in health or social care setting.

Communication

Essential

• Proven written and verbal communication skills. Clear verbal communication skills demonstrable with a range of people.
• Ability to accurately record any information required i.e. patient records, telephone messages or information as requested by
• patients

Desirable

• Communication Skills Training

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Proven awareness of the possible needs of patients, families under the care of St Helena
• Knowledge of illness as a carer and the ability to recognise when a person has physical, social, psychological or spiritual care needs.
• Demonstrated commitment and understanding to the Hospice philosophy and the work of St Helena.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

St Helena Hospice

Address

St. Helena Hospice

Barncroft Close

Highwoods

Colchester

CO4 9JU

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.sthelena.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

St Helena Hospice

Address

St. Helena Hospice

Barncroft Close

Highwoods

Colchester

CO4 9JU

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.sthelena.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Job responsibilities

Please note we are unable to offer sponsorship

Duties & Responsibilities:

In conjunction with other members of the team, and in line with your

level of competence, assist in meeting the needs of patients: hygiene,

elimination, nutrition, mobilising, maintaining independence, pain.

Be able to recognise and advocate for the promotion of independence and

personalised care, based on patients' life histories and expressed preferences

about their own care.

Meet the therapy needs of the patient through the delivery of the

therapy plan of care devised by the registered therapist.

Identify the psychosocial and spiritual needs of families and friends

under his/her care and communicate to the Supervisor.

To implement rehabilitation programmes devised by the OT or physio and

when needed, follow up interventions.

To practice daily living activities with patients on the ward under the

guidance of the OT/Physio, e.g. functional transfers, personal care, or

mobility.

To assess and provide basic mobility and daily living equipment aids to

patients, report to the Occupational Therapist (OT) or Physio (PT) as

appropriate and arrange for loan or replacement of equipment with statutory

services.

To implement therapeutic interventions such as exercise, stretching,

energy conservation, pacing and relaxation, reporting to OT/PT as necessary.

Perform Last Offices to deceased patients including safe custody of

valuables and belongings.

Maintaining health and safety within the ward area, i.e. ensure fire

exits are clear, cupboards safely stocked, and hazards removed and reported.

Check and

ensure that equipment is clean and in working order ready for use

Ensure

that all information recorded by the individual is in accordance with St Helena

policy (i.e patient records, incident/accident reports).

Escort

patients to hospital appointments, home visits or recreational trips.

Assist in

checking Controlled Drugs with Registered Nurse (on completion of Drugs

Competency Framework).

Ensure

you follow all policies and procedures in relation to prevention and infection

control

Undertake

and record clinical observations reporting results to Registered Nurse

Undertake

simple dressings independently, within level of competence and assist

Registered Nurses with complex

dressings.

Shifts are 12 hours

Qualities

Essential

• Proven ability to work off own initiative and as part of a team.
• Flexible to meet needs of service.
• Physically able to undertake the job.
• Proven coping strategies when under emotional pressure

Qualifications

Essential

• GCSE level 4 and above in English and Maths
• Full UK Driving Licence

Desirable

• NVQ any level in care
• Computer literacy
• St Helena Drugs Competancy Framework

Experience

Essential

• Experience working with people and handling difficult situations.

Desirable

• Experience of working in health or social care setting.

Communication

Essential

• Proven written and verbal communication skills. Clear verbal communication skills demonstrable with a range of people.
• Ability to accurately record any information required i.e. patient records, telephone messages or information as requested by
• patients

Desirable

• Communication Skills Training

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Proven awareness of the possible needs of patients, families under the care of St Helena
• Knowledge of illness as a carer and the ability to recognise when a person has physical, social, psychological or spiritual care needs.
• Demonstrated commitment and understanding to the Hospice philosophy and the work of St Helena.