Job Description

Senior Healthcare Assistant - Community Team
Sue Ryder, St John's Hospice
St John's Road, Moggerhanger, Bedford, MK44 3RJ
Full and Part time hours available (11.5 hour shifts)
12.37 - 12.62 per hour (plus enhancements and competitive benefits)
Sue Ryder is here to make sure everyone approaching the end of their life or living with grief can access the support they need. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to how we cope and the help we need, but with our support, no one has to face dying or grief alone.
We are there when it matters.
About us
Sue Ryder St John's Hospice is in Moggerhanger in Bedfordshire. We provide expert palliative and end-of-life care in the hospice and the community. We are here to help you and your loved ones, with everything from pain and symptom management to emotional and practical help.
About the Role
Sue Ryder Healthcare Assistants (HCAs) play a vital role in our Hospices providing essential support to patients, families, and the broader care team. Their work ensures that patients receive compassionate, hands-on care tailored to their physical, emotional, and personal needs, often in their most vulnerable moments.
Duties include but are not limited to

• Monitoring the physical and emotional well-being of all clients
• Ensuring accurate reporting and documentation
• Promoting choice in the delivery of care and support.
• Enabling concerns and complaints to be raised freely by the individual and their families

Our Healthcare Assistants work on a rotational shift pattern, including early shifts, late shifts, long days, nights, and weekends. As this role supports a 24/7 service, we are seeking candidates with flexibility to work a range of shifts as required.
About you
We want to hear from dedicated Healthcare Assistants with sound clinical skills who are keen to make a real difference by providing high quality care and support to our service users at a time when they need it most. We pride ourselves on a team that has been chosen because they're highly professional, passionate and dedicated to providing incredible end of life care.
Our ideal candidate will be empathetic, with a genuine passion for improving the lives of those with life-limiting conditions. They should have at least one year of experience working in a Health or Social Care role. While prior experience or a strong understanding of palliative care is highly desirable, we value a commitment to learning and a willingness to develop expertise in this field.
Minimum Essential Criteria:
Experience delivering personal care with respect for patient dignity
Ability to follow care plans and make reasonable adjustments
Effective verbal and written communication with individuals of varying needs
Understanding of safeguarding, confidentiality, and inclusion
Desirable Criteria:
Experience in hospice or palliative care settings
Training in dementia, end-of-life, or communication support
NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care or equivalent
Benefits
Enhanced pay for unsociable hours
Company pension scheme
Continuation of NHS pension (terms and conditions apply)
27 days holiday - rising to 33 with length of service plus bank holidays
NHS annual leave honoured (terms and conditions apply)
Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
Enhanced sick pay
Electric Vehicle Scheme
Healthcare Cash plan, to claim back costs of routine healthcare
Death in Service benefit
Staff discount of 10% on new goods online at shop.sueryder.org
Structured induction programme and learning and development opportunities.
For more of our employee benefits please visit our website:
www.sueryder.org/jobs/careers-in-palliative-care/benefits-of-working-for-sue-ryder/
Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
At Sue Ryder, we recognise that a diverse workforce allows us to provide the best care and support. We are committed to encouraging equity, diversity and inclusion among our workforce, and eliminating unlawful discrimination.
We welcome applications from people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities, LGBTQ+ individuals, those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, and those living with disabilities.
As a Disability Confident Committed employer, we're proud to support the 'Offer an Interview' scheme. This means we will offer an interview to all disabled applicants who best meet the minimum essential criteria for the role.
We use inclusive recruitment practices including sharing interview themes or questions in advance, offering remote interviews where needed, and other accessibility support.
If you require support to compete an application or participate fully in the interview process, please email recruitment@sueryder.org.
Once in post you'll have access to staff and volunteer networks for LGBTQ+ colleagues, ethnic diversity and equity, people with disabilities, and women and non-binary individuals, plus an Inclusion Passport to record and carry your workplace adjustments.
For more information on our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion work, please visit: www.sueryder.org/jobs/equity-diversity-inclusion
Join us in creating a culture where everyone feels respected, valued, and able to thrive.

Skills Required