Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for a health care assistant to work within our inpatient team at St Josephs Hospice. The successful candidate will work as part of the multidisciplinary team, primarily delivering care to patients and their families on one of our two wards. The post offers the opportunity to work alongside and learn from colleagues with palliative care expertise.

Main duties of the job
You will need:

• Excellent and effective communication and interpersonal skills
• To be able to work well within a team
• To be able to care for people who are approaching the end of their lives

The successful candidate will need to have some experience of caring in either a paid for voluntary capacity, and will demonstrate a commitment to providing a high standard of care to patients.

With a sound understanding of health and safety, nutrition and hydration and infection control, candidates will demonstrate excellent communication skills and an ability to meet patients physical, social and psychological needs appropriately as they approach end of life. The hospice is committed to the supporting in respect of education of all its staff so there are opportunities to grow and develop.

About us
St Joseph's Hospice was founded in 1905 by the Religious Sisters of Charity and as such it has a rich, Catholic heritage which informs our work today: to support and welcome those in need, from all different cultures, religions and backgrounds.

We provide high quality specialist palliative care for patients with cancer and other life-threatening conditions across East and North London. We have a large team of clinical staff who work across community, in-patient and out-patient services delivering individualised, responsive and holistic support to patients and their families/carers.

Why work for us?

• 27 days holiday plus public holidays, increasing up to 33 days with service
• Subsidised cafe and early access to retail sale events
• Season ticket loans
• Continuation of NHS Pension Scheme or an excellent salary-exchange pension scheme
• Santander cycles discount and cycle to work scheme
• Health Cash Plan and access to the EAP services

Join St Josephs team and find out more!

Job responsibilities
Patient Care

• Ensure that the palliative care unit is run in an effective and caring manner in order to promote a happy and secure environment for patients, relatives, visitors and staff.
• Keep the ward tidy and promote high standards at all times by adhering to good infection control practice as per policy.
• Assist patients with their personal care and advise on health needs, seeking advice as necessary from members of the multi-disciplinary team.
• Assist in admitting patients to the ward.
• Help patients at mealtimes, in line with their specific needs.
• Take patients to the garden, tea bar, etc.
• Ensure at all times the safe custody of patients property, as per St Josephs policy.
• Maintain a good level of nursing stock and equipment and assist with ordering.
• Sit with dying patients.
• Escort patients to outpatient appointments and, continue to be the patients advocate.
• Understand the safe handling and storage of oxygen.

Communication

• Have good communication skills and be able to use the telephone.
• Read and familiarise the prescribed plan of care, writing in the daily nursing reports on care given, and ensuring that the report is countersigned by a registered nurse.
• Welcome, assist and advise patients relatives, whilst observing confidentiality.
• Provide emotional support to patients, their relatives and friends.
• Assist patients in their choice of food and, in discussion with the registered nurse and the dietician, advise if their diet / food consistency has to be changed.
• Order patients menu daily from the kitchen.
• Regularly participate in nursing handover. Occasionally participate in multidisciplinary meetings.
• Help new staff to settle into the ward routine.

Strategic Planning & Development

• Contribute to a comprehensive departmental induction and in-service ongoing training for nursing auxiliaries and volunteers in the in-patient area.
• Perform last offices when a patient dies, following the patients wishes or beliefs. Take patients to the mortuary when required, with dignity and sensitivity.
• Assist other members of the multidisciplinary team, as required, e.g. Physiotherapist, when moving a patient.
• Be aware of all regulations regarding the health and safety of patients, visitors and staff and report and record all accidents, incidents and complaints to the registered nurse.
• Attend relevant study days, particularly statutory in-service training. Bring new knowledge back to the team.

Person Specification
Essential

• Please refer to job description above

Desirable

• Please refer to job description above

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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Closing date: 09 November 2026
Location: St Josephs Hospice, Mare Street, Hackney, E8 4SA
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Salary: £30,363.05 a year

Apply through our website.