Palliative Care Nursing Assistant


Company:	NHS Jobs
Salary:	from £25,818 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Preston, PR5 5XU
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	23 Sept 2026
Closing date:	11 Oct 2026

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Summary

Palliative Care Nursing Assistant Job description Department: Care Directorate Location: St Catherines Hospice Responsible to: Sister / Charge Nurse Salary: £25,818 per annum Please note: As we are currently consulting on future ways of working, some role details may be subject to change following the consultation process. Job Summary As the Care Directorate provides 24/7 services across the Inpatient Unit and community services, a flexible approach is essential. The post holder will support Registered Nurses and the wider multidisciplinary team to deliver safe, compassionate and individualised holistic care to adults with life-limiting conditions and those close to them. Working within agreed competence, hospice policies and delegated care plans, the Nursing Assistant will help patients with activities of daily living, contribute to care planning and documentation, and support comfort, dignity and choice throughout illness, dying and care after death. The post holder will model the Hospices values and contribute to learning, supervision and service improvement appropriate to the role within one of the few University Hospices in the country. Role boundary and accountability Work under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse and within agreed competence, hospice policies, procedures and delegated care plans. Do not undertake assessment, clinical decision-making or tasks requiring registered professional accountability unless specifically trained, assessed as competent and delegated appropriately. Promptly report changes in a patients condition, concerns, incidents, errors or matters beyond the roles competence to the registered nurse. Maintain responsibility for the quality, accuracy and timeliness of the care and records personally completed. Seek advice whenever instructions, priorities or a patients needs are unclear. Main Duties and responsibilities 1. Clinical Care Provide compassionate, holistic care to patients and support those close to them, including assistance with physical, emotional and psychological needs. Support patients with activities of daily living, personal care, nutrition, hydration, mobility, continence, comfort and rest in accordance with the care plan. Contribute observations and relevant information to the registered nurse to support assessment, care planning and review. Recognise and promptly report changes in a patients condition, behaviour, comfort or wellbeing. Provide care to dying patients and support care after death with dignity, sensitivity and respect. Move and handle patients safely using current techniques, equipment and individual handling plans. Undertake delegated clinical care and observations only where trained, assessed as competent and appropriately supervised. Undertake the technical check of medication under the supervision of a registered nurse where trained, competent and authorised under hospice procedure. Support infection prevention and control through effective hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment and cleaning practices. Maintain patients privacy, dignity, choice, comfort and independence at all times. 2. Working as Part of the Care Team Work collaboratively with registered nurses, Nurse Associates, doctors, allied health professionals, volunteers and other colleagues. Follow delegated priorities and communicate clearly about progress, unfinished care and emerging concerns. Contribute relevant information during handovers, multidisciplinary discussions and care reviews. Support a calm, safe and welcoming care environment and help maintain appropriate equipment and general stock. Assist with admissions, transfers, discharge preparations and care after death as directed. Use resources responsibly and report shortages, faults or hazards promptly. Work flexibly across clinical services and shifts in response to patient need and service requirements. 3. Communication and Record Keeping Communicate respectfully, sensitively and clearly with patients, families, carers and colleagues. Adapt communication to individual needs and seek support where there are sensory, cognitive, speech, cultural or language barriers. Listen to and acknowledge concerns, passing clinical questions, complaints or sensitive matters promptly to the registered nurse. Accurately complete electronic and written records of the care, observations and information personally provided. Maintain confidentiality and share information only with authorised people for legitimate care purposes. Support effective handovers by reporting relevant, factual and timely information. 4. Safety, Quality and Governance Work in accordance with hospice policies, procedures, protocols, the behavioural framework and agreed standards of care. Promptly report incidents, adverse events, accidents, near misses, errors, safeguarding concerns and hazards. Take immediate action within competence to maintain safety and seek support from the registered nurse. Follow infection prevention, medicines safety, moving and handling, health and safety and information governance requirements. Participate openly in reviews, reflection, learning and improvement following incidents or feedback. Contribute to audits, quality improvement and safer care activities appropriate to the role. Keep mandatory training and role-specific competencies up to date. 5. Learning and Development Complete the Care Certificate where not already achieved and maintain the knowledge and competence required for the role. Attend induction, mandatory training, supervision and other learning identified for the role. Actively participate in appraisal and the annual personal development plan. Reflect on experience, feedback and incidents and apply learning to practice. Ask for guidance and additional training before undertaking unfamiliar tasks. Contribute appropriately to the learning of colleagues, volunteers and students by demonstrating good practice within own competence. Support the Hospices teaching, service improvement and research activity where appropriate to the role. 6. Values and Professional Behaviours Demonstrate care, compassion, commitment and integrity in actions and behaviours. Treat patients, families, carers, colleagues and volunteers with dignity, courtesy and respect. Promote equality, diversity, inclusion and individual choice in care delivery and team working. Maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality and a reliable standard of conduct. Be caring, empathic, approachable and willing to work as part of a team. Work flexibly and proactively in response to patient and service needs. Maintain resilience and seek appropriate support when affected by the emotional demands of palliative care.

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