Assistant Practitioner​/Nursing Associate

Weldmar Specialist Hospice at Home Service (North Dorset)

37.5 hours per week (part time considered) - Permanent contract

Clinical Salary Scale - Band 4: £27,485 - £30,162 per year (FTE)

We're looking for a caring and enthusiastic Assistant Practitioner / Nursing Associate to join our Specialist Hospice at Home Service in North Dorset.

You will work collaboratively with a multi-skilled team based in Sturminster Newton, working with other clinical colleagues and external agencies to provide an agile and responsive service based on patient needs in Sturminster Newton, Sherborne, Blandford, Shaftesbury and surrounding areas.

• Provide assurance to patients and family members, allowing them to live as well as possible at home and reducing the likelihood of hospital admissions.
• Collaborate with clinical colleagues and external agencies to deliver an agile and responsive service based on patient needs identified by the Specialist Hospice at Home team.
• Participate in assessment of care needs and implementation of delegated interventions.
• Deliver education, informal teaching and advance care planning (ACP) discussions.
• Maintain accurate records in Systm One and the home record system.
• Provide advice line cover on a rota basis at 08:00‑09:00 am.
• Operate with a full and valid driving licence, own transport and business insurance.
• Work core hours Monday‑Friday, 09:00‑17:00.

• NVQ Level 4/5 or foundation degree in health and social care; or Nursing Associate qualification; or willingness to progress to these credentials.
• Experience in palliative care or related specialist area.
• Experience working collaboratively with other health and social care professionals.
• Experience working in a patients’ own home and/or community setting.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work without direct supervision in patients’ homes and to use Systm One and other IT systems.

• Work effectively within an internal and remote team.
• Flexible, positive and proactive approach to work.
• Good organisational skills and initiative.
• Promote a holistic and individualized approach to care.

• Pay range £27,485–£30,162 per year.
• Part-time considered and core hours Monday‑Friday.
• Community based hospice care with flexible rota for advice line cover.
• Full application to aid persona carrying the role in the UK palliative area.

Weldmar Hospice care is rated Outstanding by the CQC. Weldmar Hospice care provides specialist care to adults in Dorset with a life limiting illness, and support to their loved ones. This care is given in the comfort of patients’ own homes, in the community, and at our inpatient unit in Dorchester. All care is provided free of charge and mainly funded by continued local community support, via fundraising initiatives and events, our retail chain, and gifts left in wills, enabling us to raise the £27,500 we need every day to keep our services going.

• Deliver quality care to a diverse caseload of patients, as delegated by Specialist Hospice at Home WCNS/WCN, district nurse or allied health professional; working with minimum direct supervision.
• Undertake care assessments for patients requiring hands‑on care under the Specialist Hospice at Home service and working collaboratively with all services.
• Undertake ACP discussions sensitively and appropriately as allocated.
• Work with the patient and family to agree a plan of personal care to be delivered by the Specialist Hospice at Home team.
• Be involved in education and advice to patients and their families on what to expect and offer support as required.
• Under direction, hold patients/families that may require additional support to remain at home if this is their wish.
• Advice line cover 08:00‑09:00 am on a rota basis.
• Recognise and appropriately report changes to Specialist Hospice at Home colleagues.
• Provide emotional support allowing patients and families to express their feelings/ concerns utilising listening and empathetic skills.
• Communicate relevant information to patients and families whilst maintaining confidentiality.
• Promote independence and well‑being by ensuring involvement of patients in…