Healthcare Assistant - Jigsaw

Job summary

Make a Difference When It Matters Most

Are you passionate about providing exceptional care to children and young people? Looking for a role where you can truly make a difference while developing specialist skills in a supportive and compassionate environment?

If so, we'd love to hear from you.

We're seeking caring, enthusiastic and motivated Healthcare Assistants to join our dedicated team at Jigsaw Children's Hospice, where every day brings the opportunity to support children, young people and their families through some of the most challenging times in their lives.

As a Healthcare Assistant, you'll work alongside Registered Nurses and experienced colleagues to deliver outstanding, person-centred care and support.

This is a varied and rewarding role where no two days are the same. You'll help children and young people engage in meaningful activities, support their clinical and personal care needs, and build relationships that make a lasting difference to families.

We're looking for people who:

• Have a genuine passion for supporting children and young people
• Are caring, compassionate and empathetic
• Enjoy working as part of a close-knit team
• Are motivated to learn and develop specialist skills
• Can demonstrate flexibility and a positive approach to care

Our preference is for successful applicants to work a variety of 12-hour shifts across a day and night rotation.

Main duties of the job

Our Values in Action

At Eden Valley Hospice & Jigsaw Cumbrias Childrens Hospice, everything we do is guided by our core values:

• Caring delivering compassionate care tailored to each individual
• Respect valuing dignity, choice, and individuality
• Innovative continuously improving and developing our services
• Inclusive creating a welcoming environment for all

We are seeking individuals who:

Have experience working in a healthcare or care setting.Hold an NVQ Level 2/3 in Health & Social Care (or equivalent). Are kind compassionate and respectful in their approach. Have strong communication and teamwork skills. Are motivated to learn and develop new skills including specialist clinical competencies. Can work flexibly across 12-hour shifts, including weekends. Experience in palliative or complex care is desirable but not essential.

What We Offer

A supportive and inclusive working environment. Ongoing training and development opportunities. The chance to develop specialist skills in palliative and complex care. The opportunity to make a meaningful difference every day. A strong team culture focused on wellbeing and collaboration. A dynamic supportive and creative working environment. A genuine opportunity to make a meaningful impact. Generous shift enhancements.

Free on-site parking.Access to our Employee Assistance Programme. For eligible applicants continued membership of the NHS Pension Scheme.

About us

Additional Information

This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check. Flexibility is essential to meet the needs of our service.

Join Our Team

If you are passionate about delivering compassionate care and want to be part of an organisation that truly values its people, we would love to hear from you.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Kate Allison, Clinical Team Lead or Suzanne Garbarino, Director of Clinical Services on 01228 810801.

Apply now and help us provide outstanding care when it matters most.

Job responsibilities

Our Values

At Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw Cumbrias Childrens Hospice, our work is guided by our core values:

• Caring delivering compassionate, person-centred care
• Respect valuing the dignity, choices and individuality of every person
• Innovative continually learning and improving how we deliver care
• Inclusive creating a welcoming, supportive environment for all

Overall Aim of the Role

To support the delivery of compassionate, high-quality care and meaningful experiences for children and young people with life-limiting conditions, within our adult in patient unit.

Working under the guidance of a Registered Nurse, you will contribute to a safe, respectful, inclusive, and homely environment, supporting patients and their families with empathy and professionalism.

Key Responsibilities

1. Provision of Care (Caring & Respectful)

• Deliver care in line with agreed care plans, maintaining dignity, privacy, and individuality at all times
• Support clinical practice by developing skills in areas such as skin integrity,
• Act as a second checker for controlled medications in line with policy
• Ensure all equipment is safe, functional, and appropriately maintained
• Promote high standards of hygiene, including compliance with food safety standards
• Enhance patient experience through holistic approaches (e.g. creative therapies, spiritual awareness)
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge and skills through training and development opportunities

2. Communication & Relationships (Respectful & Inclusive)

• Communicate with patients, families, and colleagues in a compassionate, sensitive, and inclusive manner
• Support individuals experiencing distress with empathy and understanding
• Share accurate and timely information with the nurse in charge or Team Lead
• Act promptly on safeguarding concerns in line with legislation and hospice policies
• Work collaboratively within the multi-disciplinary team, contributing to patient-centred care
• Support positive relationships across staff, volunteers, students, and new team members

3. Continuous Improvement (Innovative)

• Contribute to a culture of learning, reflection, and improvement in care delivery
• Seek opportunities to develop new skills that enhance patient care and experience
• Take ownership of personal development, working with line managers to set learning goals
• Support new ideas and approaches that improve quality of care and service delivery

4. Confidentiality & Record Keeping (Respectful & Professional)

• Maintain strict confidentiality in line with the Data Protection Act 2018
• Ensure all records are accurate, timely, and securely stored
• Report and document incidents, accidents, and concerns appropriately

5. Team Contribution & Flexibility (Inclusive & Caring)

• Demonstrate flexibility and a positive, can-do approach to support team needs
• Assist with non-clinical duties (housekeeping, catering, reception) within competence
• Use resources responsibly to support the sustainability of hospice services
• Contribute to a supportive, inclusive team culture

Additional Information

• This role requires an Enhanced DBS check
• Flexibility in working hours is essential to meet service needs
• Duties may evolve in response to service development

Values in Action

All employees are expected to demonstrate our values in practice by:

Providing compassionate care (Caring)

Treating everyone with dignity and kindness (Respect)

Seeking better ways to deliver care (Innovative)

Creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported (Inclusive)

Other Requirements

Flexible and adaptable approach

Physically able to undertake 12hour shifts, including moving and handling

Demonstrates behaviours aligned with Hospice values: Caring, Respect, Innovative & Inclusive.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ Level 2/3 (or equivalent) in Health & Social Care

Desirable

• Care Certificate (or working towards)
• Knowledge of safeguarding and relevant legislation
• Understanding of Data Protection legislation

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to deliver care with compassion, dignity, and respect.
• Awareness of own limitations and willingness to seek support.
• Ability to work safely within policies and care plans.
• Commitment to ongoing personal and professional development.
• Physical ability to undertake 12-hour shifts and manual handling.

Experience

Essential

• Experience in a healthcare setting

Desirable

• Experience in palliative care or complex care needs