Health Care Assistant

NHS; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job description

We have a wonderful opportunity available to join our team at Liverpool Zoes Place (LZP) as a health care assistant. Liverpool Zoes Place (formally Zoes Place Baby Hospice) recently faced closure; however, following a highly successful campaign, the hospice is looking forward to an exciting future continuing to provide respite care and palliative care to children 0-5 years of age with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition. We are now a new independent charity based solely in Liverpool and in 2026 will move to a new purpose-built hospice location in West Derby Village Liverpool.

We are looking for health care assistants with experience looking after children with complex care needs and life-limiting illnesses. We are a small team consisting of nurses, health care assistants, play specialists, play leaders, fundraisers, holistic therapists, and counsellors, and we specialise in respite care. If you want to make a difference to families every day and work in a new charity committed to looking after its staff, this is the job for you.

Main duties of the job

As a health care assistant, we expect a high level of care for our children. You will need experience with looking after children with complex health needs, for example, tracheostomy care. You must have excellent communication skills and a passion for working in a team. Full and part-time hours are available.

About us

We are a new charity with a mission to provide the best individualised, holistic care for children and families with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions. Exciting times ahead with a state-of-the-art hospice being built next year and an excellent board of trustees to support the governance of the hospice. Benefits include free parking and regular training and support.

Job responsibilities

1. To work as an integral member of the team, undertaking tasks delegated by a Registered Nurse and/or the Head of Care/Deputy.
2. In the absence of the parent/carer, to assume responsibility for the emotional and physical care of a child with the direction and support of a Registered Nurse.
3. To act as an advocate for a child and their family, supporting their decisions and choices.
4. To act as a role model to all junior care assistants at all times and to provide advice and guidance to them as required thus ensuring that a high standard of care is provided by all the team at all times.
5. Ensure that all children have individualised play during their stay at the hospice.
6. To undertake, assist, or supervise individual children in relation to feeding, dressing, and toileting, with due regard to the child's individual medical and developmental needs.
7. Under the guidance of and with the support of a Registered Nurse, to complete clinical competencies to enable clinical care to be carried out independently.
8. Ensure the hospice equipment is used and stored appropriately in accordance with the equipment inventory.
9. Know how to clean and maintain equipment used by children (e.g., wheelchairs, feeding pumps, etc.) as directed by the standard operating procedures for cleaning.
10. Ensure that all junior care assistants are aware of the cleaning schedule/workbook and, alongside the nurse in charge, guide junior colleagues so that the hospice is kept clean and tidy.
11. If applicable, care for the child's clothing and ensure that all clothing is recorded, unpacked, and clearly marked to provide guidance to the junior staff/new staff on the procedures to follow.
12. To ensure the maintenance of accurate and timely record keeping. All documented tasks to be countersigned by a Registered Nurse.
13. Led by a Registered Nurse, to be involved in the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of the care of the children in partnership with the families and the community team.
14. To ensure that all children are given the time and assistance they need in undertaking any activity or intervention whilst encouraging and praising independent skills whenever possible.
15. To ensure that individual children's care plans are followed to the highest standards.
16. To adhere to Liverpool Zoes Place policies and procedures, guidelines, and standards at all times and to promote these to others.
17. Recognise and feedback any changes in a child's condition and, where required, take appropriate action to support care and treatment under the direction of a Registered Nurse.
18. Adopt the role of link worker as required by Liverpool Zoes Place and at all times lead by example in the link role.
19. Take advantage of training opportunities to further develop your skills to enhance your role within Liverpool Zoes Place, including all mandatory training sessions.
20. Support training and supervision of junior and new Staff Members in all aspects of their work in the Hospice, under the supervision of senior Staff Members.
21. Attend and participate in an annual appraisal and regular reviews of performance and objectives, identifying gaps in knowledge/skills and developing a plan to enhance service and self-development.
22. To encourage and promote the philosophy of Liverpool Zoes Place and present a good public image, to cooperate with all staff in maintaining good relationships with outside agencies in order to uphold the charity's image and to win increased support for its work.
23. Assist in the social activities organised within the hospice including the parent support group and the sibling support group, helping to organise and deliver the activities to a high standard.
24. Answer the Nurse Call system, giving assistance as required. Answer the door and telephone appropriately. Respond accordingly, and pass on messages promptly.
25. To ensure effective communication with Liverpool Zoes Place staff, members of the MDT, children, and their families and to refer questions to appropriate personnel and communicate answers.
26. To attend staff meetings and participate in other meetings as appropriate.
27. To report any incidents and accidents to the nurse in charge in a timely manner and ensure that they are recorded in the appropriate documentation.
28. To manage clinical duties and resources effectively to ensure the smooth running of the service.
29. Promote and maintain dignity, privacy, and confidentiality at all times.
30. Under the direction and supervision of a Registered Nurse, to participate in the preparation of a child and family for loss and bereavement and to care for a child and family after death.
31. To conduct yourself at all times in a professional manner in both appearance and conduct.
32. To work flexibly to meet the needs of the service and the team.
33. To be aware of, and responsive to, the changing nature of the Trust and adopt a flexible and pro-active approach to work.
34. To promote the speciality of palliative care and evidence-based practices and develop the service within the sphere of responsibility.
35. To participate in regular supervision with line manager and any staff for whom you have responsibility.
36. To carry out clinical tasks whilst looking after the child with registered nurse supervision such as tracheostomy care, gastrostomy care, etc.
37. This job description is not an exclusive description of the role and will develop and change to meet the evolving needs of the service.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2/3 in Health and Social Care and/or clinical experience working in a paediatric healthcare setting.
• Experience working with children.
• Experience of working with children with complex care needs.
• Insight into caring for sick children with learning, physical, and/or sensory needs.
• Able to maintain professional boundaries.
• Excellent use of the English language demonstrated through effective written and verbal communication.
• Able to demonstrate self-awareness and well-developed coping strategies.
• Awareness of the impact of loss and disability on children and their families.
• Awareness of infection control measures in a clinical environment.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to provide holistic care, flexible, and able to use your own initiative.
• Ability to follow protocols and procedures.
• Ability to work as part of an expanding team.
• Ability to work shifts including nights and weekends.
• Commitment to equal opportunities.
• Ability and willingness to work towards full competence in clinical skills.
• Tracheostomy trained.
• Ventilation trained.
• Experience working for a voluntary organisation.
• Experience of supporting families who have experienced loss or bereavement.
• Experience of paediatric palliative care.

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.