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Healthcare Support Worker - Palliative Care
University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust View all jobs
Posted 3 day(s) ago
Reference: 2374744
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Health Care Assistant to join the specialist palliative care team working both within the community under hospice at home and the inpatient ward at the Macmillan Unit and Forest Holme. We provide palliative and End of Life Care to patients with life limiting disease. The successful candidate would need to be compassionate and demonstrate a keen interest in Palliative care. They would also demonstrate the ability to provide a high standard of quality care to our patients. The candidate needs to have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to work flexible hours. Previous NHS experience of working in palliative care environment is essential.
You will need to drive and have access to a car for this role.
The role covers shift work 7 days a week 24 hours a day.
New starters to the trust will have to undertake a numeracy and literacy test.
This post is being advertised as a Band 3, however applicants that do not meet the required care certificate competencies will initially be employed as a Band 2. Applicants who hold a care certificate accreditation will start in post at Band 3
Base Location: Christchurch Hospital / Forest Holme
Interview Date: 19th or 20th October 2026
Please note we are unable to offer sponsorship for this position.
This post may close early due to high numbers of applications, so you are advised to apply promptly.
Main duties of the job
To understand the role in more detail please read the full job description and person specification documents which are attached to this advert.
About us
Our values define who we are as #TeamUHD. They underpin everything we do now and in the future. They define how we treat our patients, visitors, and each other, our valued team mates and colleagues.
If a role or service relocates as part of a planned move, excess mileage will not be reimbursed. Travel from home to the new work base will be classed as a normal commute. Any other changes will be managed under Trust or national terms and conditions.
Details
Date posted
30 September 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 3
Salary
£25,760 to £27,476 a year pa/pr
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
12 months
Working pattern
Part-time
Reference number
153-SP06743-B
Job locations
Christchurch Hospital
Fairmile Road
Christchurch
BH23 2JX
United Kingdom
Job description
Job responsibilities
To understand the role in more detail please read the full job description and person specification documents which are attached to this advert.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To understand the role in more detail please read the full job description and person specification documents which are attached to this advert.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Good standard of general education
Desirable
- NVQ2/NVQ3
Experience
Essential
- Life Experience
- Previous experience of caring for people.
Desirable
- Previous experience of looking after cancer or terminally ill patients.
- Previous experience working in palliative care environment in NHS
Technical Skills Competencies
Essential
- Basic Nursing skills & Good communication skills
- Ability to complete paperwork accurately with required information.
- Ability to establish & maintain effective communication with people
- Good interpersonal skills
- Able to work within a stressful environment
- Participate within the learning environment
- Understanding of the importance of confidentiality
- Drive and have access to a car for work
Desirable
- Computer literate
Knowledge
Essential
- Good level of nursing care
- Knowledge of dying or bereavement.
- Basic understanding of the emotional needs of patients and their families
Interpersonal skills
Essential
- Good interpersonal skills including empathy and open minded approach to patients
- Sensitivity to the needs of others
- Emotionally able to work within the field of palliative care
Desirable
- Able to understand the importance of boundaries in relationships with patients and their families
Other requirements specific to
Essential
- Willingness to and interest in acquiring new skills
- Ability to work in a demanding environment
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Ability to show initiative + prioritize work efficiently Motivated
- Ability to work as a part of the team.
- Ability to travel within the geographical areas as required by the service/requirements of the post.
- Ability to work flexible hours.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Good standard of general education
Desirable
- NVQ2/NVQ3
Experience
Essential
- Life Experience
- Previous experience of caring for people.
Desirable
- Previous experience of looking after cancer or terminally ill patients.
- Previous experience working in palliative care environment in NHS
Technical Skills Competencies
Essential
- Basic Nursing skills & Good communication skills
- Ability to complete paperwork accurately with required information.
- Ability to establish & maintain effective communication with people
- Good interpersonal skills
- Able to work within a stressful environment
- Participate within the learning environment
- Understanding of the importance of confidentiality
- Drive and have access to a car for work
Desirable
- Computer literate
Knowledge
Essential
- Good level of nursing care
- Knowledge of dying or bereavement.
- Basic understanding of the emotional needs of patients and their families
Interpersonal skills
Essential
- Good interpersonal skills including empathy and open minded approach to patients
- Sensitivity to the needs of others
- Emotionally able to work within the field of palliative care
Desirable
- Able to understand the importance of boundaries in relationships with patients and their families
Other requirements specific to
Essential
- Willingness to and interest in acquiring new skills
- Ability to work in a demanding environment
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Ability to show initiative + prioritize work efficiently Motivated
- Ability to work as a part of the team.
- Ability to travel within the geographical areas as required by the service/requirements of the post.
- Ability to work flexible hours.
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
University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Christchurch Hospital
Fairmile Road
Christchurch
BH23 2JX
United Kingdom
Employer's website
Employer details
Employer name
University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Christchurch Hospital
Fairmile Road
Christchurch
BH23 2JX
United Kingdom