Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for a dedicated and organised Ward Clerk to join our In-Patient Unit team at St Luke's Hospice. Our In-Patient Unit provides specialist palliative and end of life care to patients and their families, ensuring they receive compassionate care, support and dignity.

As Ward Clerk, you will play an important role in supporting the smooth running of the unit, working closely with the nursing, medical and wider multidisciplinary team to provide an efficient, professional and responsive administrative service.

In this role you will:

• Provide comprehensive administrative and clerical support to the Head of the Inpatient unit, nursing and medical teams, helping to ensure the effective day to day running of the In-Patient Unit.
• Support patient admissions, transfers and discharges, liaising with patients, relatives, carers and healthcare professionals to coordinate arrangements and ensure patient needs are considered.
• Maintain accurate, complete and up to date patient records, including filing, scanning and processing clinical documentation in accordance with GDPR and Hospice policies.
• Act as a first point of contact for telephone enquiries, responding to patients, relatives and professionals in a calm, professional and compassionate manner.
• Support communication and coordination across the multidisciplinary team, including arranging patient assessment meetings, discharge planning and sharing relevant information through SystmOne.
• Coordinate patient transport arrangements, liaising with ambulance services and other professionals to ensure appropriate arrangements are in place.
• Support the administration associated with patient deaths, including liaising with relevant professionals and statutory bodies, coordinating documentation and providing sensitive administrative support to bereaved families.
• Assist with ward administration, including maintaining stock levels, ordering supplies, monitoring the ward rota and arranging bank staff cover when required.
• Support the preparation of patient information and documentation for clinical meetings, surveys and governance requirements.
• Work collaboratively with other Ward Clerks, hospice departments and volunteers to maintain effective communication and continuity of service across our hospice locations.

To be successful in this role:

You will be an organised, reliable and approachable individual with strong administrative and communication skills. You will have good attention to detail, be computer literate and confident using Microsoft Office applications, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work independently as well as part of a wider team.

Previous administrative, clerical or secretarial experience would be desirable, ideally within a healthcare setting, although this is not essential. A willingness to learn and develop within the role is important.

You will need to demonstrate a calm, mature and compassionate approach when communicating with patients, relatives and colleagues, recognising the sensitive nature of specialist palliative and end of life care. An understanding of the needs of patients and families facing death and bereavement, alongside the ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism at all times, is essential.

As professionals in the field of specialist palliative and end of life care, our aim is to work collaboratively to support patients and their families/carers. You must be comfortable working in an environment where you may encounter sensitive and sometimes challenging conversations relating to illness, death and bereavement.

Salary: £10,965.33 (25,550 FTE)

Contract: Part Time

Hours: 16 hours ( Thursday & Friday)

Location: Basildon & Thurrock Site

About applying

When applying, don't forget to answer the questions in our application process to tell us more about how you meet the skills, knowledge and experience needed to be successful in this role.

Right to Work

St Luke's Hospice is unable to sponsor work permits or visas. All candidates must have the right to work in the UK.

Belonging, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

At St Luke's Hospice, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better outcomes for the people who access our services.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled, LGBTQ+ and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, as these groups are currently under-represented in our teams. We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of access requirements for people who have a disability.

If you are organised, compassionate and would like to make a meaningful difference to patients and their families, we would love to hear from you. Apply now to become a valued member of our In-Patient Unit team!