Recruitment Archives - East Cheshire Hospice

Knutsford recruitment for new Hospice @Home team

Posted on 9th November 20239th November 2023 by Becky Sidwell

New jobs caring for patients nearing the end of life are being created in Knutsford.

A total of 15 health care assistant posts are being advertised by East Cheshire Hospice as part of its Hospice @Home expansion in the town.

The roles are funded by a major donation from husband-and-wife Michael and Jennifer Oliver, whose global business Oliver Valves has its headquarters in Knutsford.

The Hospice has launched a recruitment drive and will offer full training to successful candidates who join its Hospice @Home team. Previous experience in the health care sector is not essential.

The team will be based at Knutsford and District Community Hospital on Bexton Road working alongside GPs and NHS district nurses.

From left, East Cheshire Hospice @Home team members Gill Tomlinson, Tess Cleaver and Joanne Helm.

The Hospice already runs the Hospice @Home service in Knutsford catering for patients primarily in the last three months of life. This new service for patients with a Knutsford GP will extend that period of care and support to 12 months.

Hospice Chief Executive Karyn Johnston said: “This is a much-needed opportunity to help develop palliative care services in Knutsford. Staff will go out into homes to provide practical and compassionate care and support to patients and their families.

“By liaising closely with the NHS, our aim is to help patients to avoid hitting a crisis and having to go to hospital unnecessarily during their final year of life. Our research with the NHS and other local care providers also showed that patients from Knutsford, in particular, are often medically fit to leave hospital but can’t because there are no care at home services available. We can change that.

“This expansion will see more people getting the right care when and where they need it and, if the model is successful, it could be rolled out elsewhere in the areas we serve in East Cheshire. We’re targeting Knutsford as we know the town has unique care availability challenges.”

Anyone interested should apply via www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/vacancies. Hours are flexible over a seven-day week and pay up to £17.42/hr including weekend bonuses for experienced Health Care Assistants.

Karyn said: “We’re looking for people with some experience of care ideally, though qualifications aren’t necessary. These roles will also appeal to people seeking rewarding work that really makes a difference in the community. As part of our East Cheshire Hospice team, they’ll work in close collaboration with the NHS and other health care agencies.

“We, and the people of Knutsford, are indebted to Dr & Mrs Oliver who share our desire to improve care for patients with life-limiting illnesses in an area where their employees are based. We thank them for their extremely generous support.”

New member in the Hospice @Home team

Posted on 2nd August 20239th August 2023 by Becky Sidwell

Mum Cheryl McDonald is one of the newest recruits at East Cheshire Hospice.

As a part-time health care assistant, she visits patients in their own homes as part of the Hospice @Home unit.

Cheryl has vast experience, having spent her entire career caring for people of all ages.

Yet she admits joining the Hospice in May was one of her best moves.

Cheryl said: “I’m still finding my feet, but already realise what a lovely place it is to work. I’d recommend it.

Health care assistant Cheryl McDonald with four-year-old son Nate.

“It’s a nice environment and as you walk down the corridors everyone is so friendly and everywhere so clean.”

Cheryl is still part of the bank team at Macclesfield and District General Hospital where she spent seven years, including spells in the same day emergency care unit and A and E.

She said: “I’m trained to take bloods so it keeps those skills. I work there a few hours each month. You have to do your bit to support the NHS don’t you?

“There are different pressures in a hospital where you can look after between 40 to 50 patients, whereas Hospice @Home means visiting one patient at a time.

“You concentrate on them and get to know the family and more about the patient.

“It’s so rewarding. You’re helping the person and their family and sometimes you’re the only person a patient may see in a day.

“You can signpost them to where they may need further help. It’s nice to know you can help those choosing to die at home.

“Not everyone wants to die in hospital, while the Hospice is also available if they choose to become an inpatient.”

Cheryl spent 10 years helping disabled children as Cheshire East co-ordinator at Carers Trust4all, having trained as a nursery nurse after leaving school.

Cheryl said: “Hospitals can be clinical and if someone passes away with a cardiac arrest you haven’t got to know that patient. Then it’s on to the next patient and that’s how it works.

“With Hospice @Home you’re able to build up a rapport, sitting with a patient and holding their hand and providing the comfort they need.

“There’s no pressure and you can sit with them for an hour if they wish. Nothing’s rushed.

“At hospital, we’ve sat with patients in their final hours too. They’re comfortable and no one is ever left alone.”

* To apply for a staff nurse vacancy visit eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/our-current-vacancies.

Hospice Trustee Roles

Posted on 27th January 2021 by Luke Brightmore

East Cheshire Hospice is looking for two new Trustee Board members.

One of the roles is to chair its Patient Care and Clinical Governance Committee, so a volunteer with a good understanding of healthcare and its challenges is required.

The other position is for a candidate with a more general background. Skills and experience in other sectors, or roles, would be useful.

There is no requirement to have held a trustee position before and induction support is provided.

The Trustee Board, chaired by Will Spinks, is responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the Hospice, working with the chief executive and senior management team.

The minimum commitment includes quarterly board and committee meetings, email and phone discussions and attendance at occasional Hospice events. There may be a requirement to represent the Hospice at external events and meetings.

Trustee Jon Beck said: “A trustee role provides opportunities for personal and professional development, including strategic planning and organisational development.

“Becoming a trustee can be immensely rewarding and fulfilling and means you’ll be making decisions that will impact people’s lives and make a difference to your local community.”

Visit www.eastcheshirehospice.org.uk/jobs/our-current-vacancies for a pack and application form, or contact Governance Administrator Claire Duncan.

Send applications via email to cduncan@echospice.org.uk or a hard copy to Claire Duncan, Governance, Milbank Drive, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 3DR.

Selection will be conducted in a Covid-19 safe way. Access to Zoom, or other virtual meeting technology, is helpful. The closing date for applications is Mon, Feb 1.

Will Spinks, Chair of the Trustee Board at East Cheshire Hospice

Meet Tess Cleaver, Hospice @Home Manager

Posted on 16th January 2020 by Luke Brightmore

Tess Cleaver decided she wanted to work at East Cheshire Hospice when she attended an open day there five years ago.

She was a hospital staff nurse at the time and highly recommends working for the hospice which has now created two more nursing vacancies for qualified nurses.

Tess said: “The experience I gained as a hospital staff nurse was so valuable and I wouldn’t have done what I do here without that background.

“I applied here and was fortunate enough to be offered a full-time position on the inpatient unit as a staff nurse. When I attended an open day I thought this is the place where I’d like to be.

“I’ve never looked back and it’s a unique place to place to work. Everyone who works here, whether on the inpatient unit or in the Hospice @Home team, feels privileged to be here.”

Tess, who is now the Hospice @Home Manager, added: “We focus on holistic care and time is allowed for all duties, especially those patient-facing tasks. Everyone has heard of the Hospice and has some kind of experience, whether in a professional capacity or as a volunteer.

“The Hospice is also committed to developing staff through training, education and experience and the support from managers and colleagues is something you’ll never experience anywhere else.”

East Cheshire Hospice needs HCAs!

Posted on 16th January 2020 by Luke Brightmore

East Cheshire Hospice is looking for new staff as it prepares to extend its Hospice @Home service to 24 hours a day.

The Hospice is advertising for 15 community health care assistants with experience in the health care sector not a requirement.

The recruitment drive comes as the charity gears up for a round-the-clock Hospice @Home service from April.

The facility has been an outstanding success since it began two years ago, supporting more than 400 people enabling them to die in their preferred place.

The service has been operating ‘out-of-hours’ from 6.30 pm until 8 am and 24 hours at weekends so far, but due to demand and popularity will shortly be available all day.

Clair Watson, the Hospice’s People and Development Manager, said: “We know there are patients and families dealing with life-limiting illness who want to remain at home but still need care, support and kindness.

“If health care assistants haven’t worked in care before we’ll train them fully. It could be a great opportunity for someone who’s just finished education, or wants to change career.

“The successful applicants must want to be a vital part of someone’s daily routine and would be joining an extremely well-supported team.

“Hospice @Home is about maintaining quality of life in a patient’s preferred place of care, allowing them to live as well as possible in the comfort of their own home, rather than go into hospital or attend a medical centre.

“The Hospice is a great place to work. In our last staff and volunteer survey, 98 per cent of respondents felt they enjoyed their work and believed in everything we’re trying to achieve here.

“The same survey was conducted in 42 hospices in the UK and 25,000 other people working in charities, and we exceeded the average scores easily in all categories.”

New staff would need to travel independently through Cheshire East and High Peak areas. Anyone interested can attend a drop-in session at the Hospice on Thurs, Nov 21 (9-11 am) or Tues, Nov 26 (6 pm – 8 pm).