Job Description

If you have a passion for caring and are interested in making a real difference to patients and their families, come and join the outstanding St Elizabeth Hospice team.
Rated Outstanding from the Care Quality Commission, St Elizabeth Hospice improves life for people living with a progressive or life-limiting illness. Our work is centred on an individual's needs, which means care whenever and wherever it is needed, whether at home, in the community or at the hospice. We are well respected and praised for our responsiveness and expertise by people we serve.
Whilst possessing a care certificate or having experience of healthcare or care work is desirable, it is not essential as there are no set entry requirements to become a healthcare assistant at St Elizabeth Hospice. In addition our commitment to you is that we will open up excellent training and development opportunities in order for you to progress your career within St Elizabeth Hospice.
Main duties of the job
We are seeking a Healthcare Assistant with an interest in palliative care to work within our multi-disciplinary team who provide physical, psycho-social and spiritual care to patients. You do not necessarily need experience in health and social care or palliative care. You may be looking for a career change. If this is you, look no further, we will support you with all the necessary training in order for you to gain a recognised health and social care qualification, whilst providing excellent career development opportunities.
If you would like an opportunity to find out some more about working at the hospice, and how it can fit your own career aspirations, we recommend a discussion prior to you completing your application.
Hours: Full or part time. Full rotation, 24/7 days a week
Interview Date: 21 October 2025
St Elizabeth Hospice offers the unique opportunity to work alongside our outstanding multi-disciplinary team, providing planned and reactive or urgent care to patients and support to their loved ones.
Every patient and family member is valued and we pride ourselves in giving dedicated time to care for patients, whether it is in a patients home, on the telephone through OneCall or at the In-Patient Unit in Ipswich.
As well as joining our rewarding and well-respected organisation, St Elizabeth Hospice is here to support your career, with progression and training opportunities available to enhance your skills and development.
About us
St Elizabeth Hospice is an innovative and compassionate organisation. Hear from Healthcare Assistants themselves on why working at St Elizabeth Hospice is so special:
Joining the hospice is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I cant imagine working anywhere else, its a very special place to be and to work.
Many people have said it must be very sad to work at the hospice, which it can be, but it is also the most uplifting and positive place that I have ever worked.
St Elizabeth Hospice is committed to safeguarding and protecting the adults and young people that we work with and has a zero-tolerance approach to abuse, neglect and discrimination of any person. As such, all posts are subject to a rigorous safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records and vetting checks. We have a range of robust safeguarding policies in place which promote safeguarding across the hospice and staff are expected to undertake regular, mandatory safeguarding training to equip them with the knowledge and skills to identify and respond to potential risks.
The hospice offers a generous benefit package, including:
27 days annual leave entitlement
Pension scheme
Life Cover
Cycle to Work Scheme
Car Leasing Scheme
Health Service Discounts
Occupational Sick Pay
Blue Light Card
Employee Assistance Programme
Details
Date posted
26 September 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 2
Salary
Depending on experience
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Part-time
Reference number
B0291-25-0039
Job locations
565 Foxhall Road
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP3 8LX
Job description
Job responsibilities
JOB SUMMARY
To work at all times under the supervision of a Registered Nurse in order to provide individualised care to patients and families whilst respecting patient choice.
SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES
Demonstrate a commitment to keeping adults and young people safe
Report any disclosure made to you to the appropriate person
Report any safeguarding concerns in the workplace to the appropriate person
Maintain an awareness of the Hospices policies in relation to safeguarding
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
To carry out agreed tasks involving direct patient care and activities within the clinical area, in accordance with the patient care plan.

• To provide personal care involving all hygiene, elimination, eating and drinking, mobilisation, rest, sleep and comfort needs.
• Reports on patients condition to registered staff.

To assist in meeting the patients and their familys spiritual and psychological needs, recognising and respecting religious and cultural beliefs.
To assist in providing support and comfort for the dying patient and his/her family.
To assist in effective verbal and written communication between patients, families and members of the multi-disciplinary team.
To provide assistance to the Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists as planned and as required.
To promote quality of life and offer activities as appropriate

• To have an understanding of safeguarding principles and to be able to apply these within everyday practice and intervention within your role
• Report any clinical incidents in accordance with the incident management policy.
• Work effectively with other members of the multiprofessional team so that care is coordinated.
• To deliver care in accordance with agreed policies and procedures.
• Records patient information.
• Contribute to fostering a learning and patient safety culture on the Inpatient Unit for all staff as well as students and visitors.
• Ensure adherence with relevant Infection Prevention and Control policies and procedures, raising any risks to the IPC group / Ward Manager.

GENERAL
Where you are a member of a professional body you are required to conform to the professional standards set by that body. You are required to ensure your registration is current and practice continuous professional development.
Because of the special nature of the Hospice and its work, the post holder may on occasion be asked to undertake other duties to help maintain our high standard of care. Job description
Job responsibilities
JOB SUMMARY
To work at all times under the supervision of a Registered Nurse in order to provide individualised care to patients and families whilst respecting patient choice.
SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES
Demonstrate a commitment to keeping adults and young people safe
Report any disclosure made to you to the appropriate person
Report any safeguarding concerns in the workplace to the appropriate person
Maintain an awareness of the Hospices policies in relation to safeguarding
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
To carry out agreed tasks involving direct patient care and activities within the clinical area, in accordance with the patient care plan.

• To provide personal care involving all hygiene, elimination, eating and drinking, mobilisation, rest, sleep and comfort needs.
• Reports on patients condition to registered staff.

To assist in meeting the patients and their familys spiritual and psychological needs, recognising and respecting religious and cultural beliefs.
To assist in providing support and comfort for the dying patient and his/her family.
To assist in effective verbal and written communication between patients, families and members of the multi-disciplinary team.
To provide assistance to the Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists as planned and as required.
To promote quality of life and offer activities as appropriate

• To have an understanding of safeguarding principles and to be able to apply these within everyday practice and intervention within your role
• Report any clinical incidents in accordance with the incident management policy.
• Work effectively with other members of the multiprofessional team so that care is coordinated.
• To deliver care in accordance with agreed policies and procedures.
• Records patient information.
• Contribute to fostering a learning and patient safety culture on the Inpatient Unit for all staff as well as students and visitors.
• Ensure adherence with relevant Infection Prevention and Control policies and procedures, raising any risks to the IPC group / Ward Manager.

GENERAL
Where you are a member of a professional body you are required to conform to the professional standards set by that body. You are required to ensure your registration is current and practice continuous professional development.
Because of the special nature of the Hospice and its work, the post holder may on occasion be asked to undertake other duties to help maintain our high standard of care.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Good standard of education in numeracy and literacy.

Desirable

• Care Certificate or level 2 certificate in health and social care (or willing to undertake).
• NVQ level III in direct care.

Experience
Essential

• Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Demonstrate experience of team working.

Desirable

• Community/palliative care experience.
• To have an understanding of safeguarding principles and to be able to apply these within everyday practice and intervention within your role.

Personal Qualities
Essential

• Demonstrable experience of team working.
• Be willing and able to develop own knowledge and deliver care across all Hospice settings.
• Ability to withstand sensitive and potentially stressful situations.
• Be adaptable, flexible, responsive & positive to change and service development.

Specific Skills
Essential

• Effective communicator ability to establish and maintain communication with patients, their families and colleagues.
• IT literate.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Good standard of education in numeracy and literacy.

Desirable

• Care Certificate or level 2 certificate in health and social care (or willing to undertake).
• NVQ level III in direct care.

Experience
Essential

• Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Demonstrate experience of team working.

Desirable

• Community/palliative care experience.
• To have an understanding of safeguarding principles and to be able to apply these within everyday practice and intervention within your role.

Personal Qualities
Essential

• Demonstrable experience of team working.
• Be willing and able to develop own knowledge and deliver care across all Hospice settings.
• Ability to withstand sensitive and potentially stressful situations.
• Be adaptable, flexible, responsive & positive to change and service development.

Specific Skills
Essential

• Effective communicator ability to establish and maintain communication with patients, their families and colleagues.
• IT literate.

Skills Required