Bedded Unit Healthcare Assistant Development Role

We have a new and exciting opportunity to offer a development post for a healthcare assistant wanting to enhance their knowledge, skills and practice in palliative and end-of-life care.

The hours will be worked flexibly on a rota basis, Monday to Sunday which will include a combination of the following shifts:
Long Day 07.30am – 8.30pm
Early 7.30am – 3.30pm
Late 1.30pm – 9.30pm
Night shift 8pm – 8am

This development post will be held until you have successfully completed the Adult Care Worker (Level 2) Vocational Apprenticeship. Following which you will become substantive as a Healthcare Assistant in the Bedded Unit Team.

The course will run for 18 months duration, with an additional three-month assessment period resulting in a maximum 21 months for completion of the apprenticeship. Course content and method of assessment can be found in the course handbook .

The apprenticeship will be led by Petroc and enrolment will need to be completed on successful recruitment to this post.

You will be given the opportunity to spend 20% of your role to undertake theoretical and practice-based elements of the apprenticeship. This could take several forms, for example, attending taught study sessions, webinars, practice-based assessments and shadowing other healthcare professionals to support your development.

On completion of the apprenticeship, you will be invited for a professional discussion to prepare you to transition to the Healthcare Assistant role which will help to identify any further learning and development needs.

Our nursing team are proud to support and care for patients and their families at their most difficult and vulnerable time. Our highly committed multi-disciplinary team of staff and volunteers, work seamlessly together to provide care of the highest standard.

Our bedded unit receives referrals for patients needing support for various reasons including symptom control, rehabilitation following treatment or care in the last days of life. Our specialist medical team provides round the clock care and support to our patients in the comfort of a welcoming and homely environment. We are fortunate to have time to spend with our patients to really understand what is important to them and plan their care accordingly. 

Some words from our team that describe what it feels like to work in the Bedded Unit Team:

• Inspired
• Privileged
• Supported
• Understood
  Respected
• Included
• Lucky
  Grateful
• Life changing and life enhancing
• Being able to make a difference every day
• Able to give our patients and those who matter to them the care they deserve.

If you want to share the same experience of our amazing team, the skills required to succeed in this role include:

• Experience in a care role within a health or social care setting
• Experience in palliative care or oncology (training will be provided)
• An understanding of the role of the healthcare assistant in delivering compassionate care
• A good standard of education including Maths and English GCSE at Level 4 or above (or equivalent). If Maths and English at Level 4 is not held by the post holder, Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths and English will need to be completed alongside the apprenticeship
• A good level of IT skills
• Emotional resilience, with a calm and composed personality
• A compassionate approach to people, demonstrating empathy at a difficult time in their life
• Evidence of continued professional development
• The ability to work flexibly to meet needs of the wider service.

Like any organisation, it’s the people who make a difference so why not join us and make a difference to our patients and their families.

This post is subject to an Enhanced level check with the Disclosure and Barring Service, including checks against the adult and child barred lists.

To find out more please see below:

Closing date for applications is noon on 5th February 2025.
Interviews will be held on the 13th February 2025.

It is important that the people who work for and with us, or access any of our services, can be themselves and are valued as unique individuals. We welcome applications from all sections of the communities we serve, reflecting the uniqueness of each person, with the aim of continually improving our services.

We are a forces-friendly organisation and welcome applications from Veterans and Service spouses and partners.

If you require this information in large print format, please email peopleteam@northdevonhospice.org.uk.

Location: Barnstaple