Health Care Support Worker – Outpatients

Health Care Support Worker – Outpatient Care (Therapy & Wellbeing Centre)

Job Type: Permanent – Part time

Location: Katharine House Hospice, Stafford

Salary:      £28,269 PER ANNUM, £19,961.40 Actual

Hours:      22.5 hours per week

Closing date:  8 May 2026, however this may close earlier, subject to response rate

Telephone Interview date:   20 May 2026

Face to face interview date:   27 May 2026

Are you a dedicated and caring Health Care Support Worker who wants to provide passionate, professional and responsive care?

Join our friendly Outpatient / Therapy & Wellbeing team and help us provide excellent palliative and supportive care for people living with palliative conditions.

About us

Katharine House Hospice offer the best care so that people in our community, affected by progressive illnesses, can live their lives to the full.

The out-patient unit at Katharine House Hospice is a specialist palliative care unit supporting adults with life-limiting illness.

We value people – so much so, it’s one of our three key values as a charity.

We focus on delivering high quality care and can give the time needed to provide the best experience for our patients and their families.

We provide ongoing support with opportunities for professional development. We are also able to provide access to the NHS pension scheme if you are currently an existing member.

The Role

Please note, an enhanced DBS clearance will be required for this role.

What feels different – and special – about working in a hospice charity

At the same time, many colleagues tell us that joining a hospice charity has been a positive change in how they can nurse:

• More time with patients and families, with an emphasis on listening, support and continuity.
• A truly holistic approach – physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs.
• A strong sense of community and team, where everyone knows your name.
• Opportunities for autonomy and development, using and growing your skills in palliative and supportive care.
• A more predictable work–life balance, with a core pattern of mainly Monday–Friday working.

You’ll work a rotational shift pattern, mainly Monday to Friday, as we develop our outpatient and potential weekend offer. We’re open to discussing flexible working arrangements that meet the needs of both the service and the successful candidate.

Skills and Experience

You will:

• Previous experience in a healthcare or care setting
• Be educated to NVQ (or Equivalent ) Level 3 in Health & Social Care desirable but not essential
• Be a team player who enjoys MDT working, but is also confident to work with a degree of autonomy.
• Be committed to compassionate, person-centred care and upholding hospice values. Previous hospice or palliative care experience is welcome but not essential – we will support you to develop specialist skills and confidence in this area.

What’s in it for you?

• Annual leave

33 days per annum, which includes bank holidays (pro rata for part time), increasing after 5 and 10 years’ service.

• Pension scheme

We match contributions up to 7%.  If you’re currently contributing to the NHS pension scheme you can continue to do so.

• Death in service benefit

Reassurance should the worst happen. 2 x salary to your family.

• Employee Assistance Programme Providing support for your wellbeing.

• Training and development opportunities Continuous learning and professional growth.

• Occupational sick pay Support during times of illness.

• Healthcare cash benefit plan

Contributory plan to help cover health-related expenses.

• Free on-site parking
• Free uniform and PPE

Come join us to spend more clinical time with patients and families delivering excellent care.

For an informal conversation or to arrange a visit to the Therapy & Wellbeing Centre, please contact: Cathy Browning ANP/Outpatient Lead on 01785 254645 or email cbrowning@khhospice.org.uk

How to apply:

Submit a CV via indeed.

Please note we are unable to provide sponsorship at this time.

The closing date is 8 May 2026, however we may close this advert earlier, subject to response rates. 

If you require any reasonable adjustment to participate in this process, please do not hesitate to contact HR on the number above. 

Please note that applications will be shortlisted on an ongoing basis and this vacancy may be closed early if the positions are filled.

Internal applicants should apply via an expression of interest outlining the reasons for your interest and detailing any relevant experience.

Job Description

Health Care Assistant – Outpatients

“We help local adults with complex, progressive illnesses from diagnosis to the end of life through free, high quality, specialist palliative care, advice and guidance, and we support those close to them.”

Department and Role Objectives

The purpose of the Therapy and Wellbeing Centre (TWC) within Katharine House Hospice (KHH) is to provide specialist palliative care provision to adult patients, their carers and friends within the palliative care philosophy framework identified by the World Health Organisation.

The post holder will work as a member of the multi-disciplinary team assisting with patient care activities under the supervision of a registered nurse. They will support the delivery of direct patient care by providing clerical, catering and housekeeping assistance as required, without the direct supervision of a registered nurse.

Part of the team

To support all patients and carers attending the TWC.

Specific Objectives

1.    To participate fully in the delivery of  care to patients as delegated by a registered nurse or allied health professional

2.    To support patient/carers via telephone support calls.

3.    Support staff to deliver care/ social sessions within the TWC.

4.    To undertake housekeeping duties as required

5.    To provide clerical assistance as required

Core Responsibilities

To meet the above broad objectives, the post holder will have responsibilities in four main areas of work as follows:

Key Area – Responsibilities & Outputs

Clinical

• To participate fully in the delivery of care to patients as delegated by registered nurses and allied health professionals e.g. physiotherapist, occupational therapist, ensuring that patients are helped to maintain their dignity, privacy and individuality.
• To manage a case load of patients through telephone support.
• Identify changes in patient conditions and, within their capabilities, recognise where significant changes in the plan of care are required and report these back to the nurse on duty in a prompt and timely manner.
• Liaise effectively with other nursing and multi professional team members within the scope of their role.
• To communicate relevant information regarding patients and carers to registered nurses, verbally and in written form.
• Completing clinical observations as requested
• Ensure the correct usage and maintenance and cleanliness of all equipment
• Maintain patient written records in accordance with the wishes of registered nurses
• To provide a welcome for patients and visitors to the centre, providing assistance, support and information as required
• Demonstrate initiative in planning daily and weekly routines
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of changes in policies and procedures relevant to the post.
• To ensure all clinical areas are clean and tidy and in line with current Infection Control Guidance.

Educational

• To ensure all staff complete Mandatory training as set by KHH.
• Encourage Staff in their own professional development.
• Supporting staff in the deliveryof awareness and condition education sessions to patients and carers.
• Participate and delivery social activity sessions within the centre and also of site.

Clerical

• Answer the telephone and take messages in accordance with hospice policy
• Maintain stock levels of clinical forms and patients’ record forms as needed
• Participate in filing patient information as directed by registered nurses.

Personnel  

• Take all measures to ensure the safety and welfare of all patients and staff, having due regard to the Health and Safety at Work Act
• Attend statutory updates as required by the Care Quality Commission
• Actively seek support when needed and contribute to providing support for others when needed

Personal Development

Katharine House will support the continuous development of the post holder who is expected to be proactive in ensuring their own clinical supervision and identifying their own developmental needs.

Competencies

Can meet/work towards achieving the competencies as identified in the KHH competency document.

Job Revision

This job description is not exhaustive, and the employee may be asked to undertake other duties commensurate with the role. This job description is subject to periodic revision following discussions with the post holder.

Infection Prevention and Control

In accordance with the Health and Social Care Act 2012, the post holder will actively participate in the prevention and control of infection within the capacity of their role.  The Act requires the post holder to attend infection prevention and control training on induction and at regular updates and to take responsibility for the practical application of the training in the course of their work.  Infection prevention and control must be included in any personal development plan or appraisal.

Health and Safety

All employees have a responsibility to abide by the safety practices and codes authorised by KHH. They have an equal responsibility with management for maintaining safe working practices.

Smoking

The hospice has a no smoking policy. All hospice premises are considered No Smoking Zones. Staff are not allowed to smoke when wearing KHH Uniform.

Patient and/or staff information is confidential. It is a condition of KHH employment that you will not use or disclose any confidential information obtained in the course of your duty

Accuracy of Data

The accuracy of Service User information is paramount regardless of its format (hard copy or electronic).  All staff collecting and processing sensitive client information should be suitably trained to do so.  All such data should be monitored for accuracy and reconciled between the user record and data held on systems that support the provision of care, any errors or omissions should be identified and corrected.  Such activity should be undertaken under the guidance of the Director of Care.

This post requires the individual to consent to an enhanced disclosure by the Disclosure and Barring Service

Person Specification – HCA (Level 3)

Qualifications

• NVQ Level  3 – Desirable

Experience

• 1 years’ experience in a healthcare setting – Essential
• Specialist palliative care experience – Desirable

Skills and Attributes

• Team Player – Essential
• Good communication skills both written and verbal – Essential
• Flexible attitude – Essential
• Calm under pressure – Essential
• IT Skills – Desirable
• Motivated to maintain the delivery of high quality care – Essential
• Able to work on their own or as part of a team – Essential
• Flexible in their approach to meet service needs – Essential
• Proven organizational skills – Desirable
• Supportive to the patient, their family/informal carers & colleagues – Essential 

Knowledge

• Confident in Infection Control. – Essential
• Awareness of Safeguarding processes – Essential
• Can identify changes in patient conditions – Desirable 

Other

• Demonstrates initiative – Essential
• Resilience – Essential
• Flexibility – Essential
• Self-motivated – Essential
• Able to work all shifts across 7 days. – Essential
• Can use resources effectively and efficiently – Essential
• Maintains a safe environment for staff and patients – Essential
• Ensures infection prevention measures are maintained – Essential
• Has a Valid driving license – Essential