Palliative Care Assistant

Posted: 07/05/2025

Closing Date: 28/05/2025

Job Type: Permanent - Part Time

Location: Hospice

Job Category: Healthcare & Medical

Te Omanga Hospice is a charitable trust that provides specialist palliative care to patients and their whānau in the Hutt Valley living with a life-limiting or terminal illness. Our vision is that everyone with palliative needs in our community receives equitable, responsive, and proactive care. We hold our values close to our heart, with respect, partnership, compassion and learning at the core of everything we do.

We celebrate different perspectives and are committed to creating an equal and inclusive workplace. The community we support is diverse, and it is important to us that diversity is reflected in the team here at Te Omanga.

As a Palliative Care Assistant you will undertake the following tasks:
**Assist patients with activities of daily living**
- Promotes an environment that enables patient safety, independence, quality of life and health.
- Provides care in a way that respects each patients dignity, beliefs, values and goals.
- Provides planned palliative care under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse.
- Ensures documentation is accurate and maintains confidentiality of information.
- Contributes to the evaluation of patient care.

**Assists Registered Nurses in providing services to patients & whanau**
- Provides care and support for patients with a terminal illness and to families and carers, to help maintain the highest possible quality of life.
- Demonstrates competency and safe practice in the clinical setting.
- Performs patient cares under the supervision of an RN in a manner that reflects the values of TOH.
- Works with the nursing team and support the wider multidisciplinary team.
- Accurately reports the outcomes of the care given either verbally, in writing or electronically.

**Housekeeping**
- Maintains a clean, safe and tidy environment at all times for patients, families, visitors and staff
- Maintains the cleanliness and tidiness of the working area.
- Reports any faulty equipment or maintenance issues.
- Monitors sluices, ensuring they are emptied, following correct sterilisation.
- Ensures correct storage of re-usable equipment in appropriate room.

**Maintain a healthy & safe working environment**
- Maintains a safe environment within the IPU and with due consideration in risk areas by monitoring water spills, untidy lockers and bed and bathroom, sluicing and storage areas.
- Is aware of patients who may be unsteady or confused and provide supportive care and close supervision.
- Reports any accidents or incidents and handle any complaints in a timely manner and according to the Hospice’s protocols and policies.
- Maintains current knowledge and practice of the security policy and the security and lock up procedures.
- Provides patient care within Te Omanga Hospice health and safety policies and procedures as outlined in the Health and Safety Policy.
- Contributes to ensure that a safe working environment is maintained at all times.
- Attends mandatory health and safety training as required.

**Professional Development**
- Attends nursing team meetings and to take responsibility for own learning, personal growth and development.
- Attends relevant courses.
- Provide and receive support on a day-to-day basis from colleagues within the work setting.

**Desired Skills and Experience**:
**Knowledge, Skills and Experience**
- Will be a Palliative Care Assistant strongly committed to working as part of the nursing team.
- Demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively and clearly, verbally, in writing and electronically.
- Has an ability to work co-operatively with Registered Nurses who direct and supervise Palliative Care Assistant work.
- Be responsible for own actions.
- Demonstrates an understanding and commitment to the philosophy of the Hospice and work within Patients’ Code of Rights and the Te Omanga Hospice policies.
- Has an understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi and openness to wider cultural diversity.
- Brings a range of life skills and/or previous Care Assistant experience.

Applications close on 28 May 2025.