Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Title: Healthcare Assistant

Location: Sydenham

Department: IPU

Hours: 37.5 hours per week based on a 7-day rota

Salary: £28,517 - £32,399 per annum (Full time Equivalent)

About us:

St Christopher’s Hospice was founded in 1967 by Dame Cicely Saunders and formed part of the modern hospice movement. Proudly celebrating over 50 years and with a turnover of over £20 million, we provide invaluable care and support to over 6,000 people across the five London Boroughs of Bromley, Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark.

Your new role:

Health Care Assistant - IPU

We are currently looking to recruit dynamic and enthusiastic Health Care Assistants to work in our In-patient Unit. Offering care to patients with advanced end stage illnesses, many of whom may also have a range of complex symptom control needs. You will have a passion for palliative care.

To succeed in the role:

The successful candidate will be compassionate, flexible and reliable. You will be confident in your approach with the ability to form good working relationships with all levels of staff and demonstrate a commitment to team working.

What you will get in return:

Is a stimulating and rewarding career with an opportunity to make a real difference to the lives and experiences of people living with life limiting and terminal illness. In addition, you will benefit from access to some excellent training and development opportunities, a number of staff health and wellbeing schemes, a competitive contributory pension scheme and Life Assurance scheme with generous beneficiary plan. You will also have access to free off-street parking nearby and an onsite staff canteen.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Katie Grace, Matron - IPU on 0208 768 4500.

Please have a look at our website for further information including the Job Description(s) and click on the ‘Apply Online’ button below to apply for either role.

Closing date: 27th September 2026

In the event we receive a high amount of applications, we reserve the right to close the job earlier than the initial closing date.

St Christopher’s is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and identities and actively encourage applications from candidates from underrepresented groups. Reasonable adjustments are available at any stage of the recruitment process.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• ESSENTIAL: Minimum Level 2 Qualification (English and Maths)

Desirable

• DESIRABLE: NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care

Experience

Essential

• ESSENTIAL: Experience of working within a team setting

Desirable

• DESIRABLE: Experience of working within a Healthcare Setting

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

St Christopher’s Hospice

Address

St Christopher's - Sydenham

51-59 Lawrie Park Road

Sydenham

London

SE26 6DZ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.stchristophers.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Location: Sydenham

Department: In-Patient Unit (IPU)

Hours: 30 hours per week

Salary: £55,524 - £62,652 per annum (pro-rata) HCA inclusive

Your new role

We have an exciting opportunity within our Inpatient Unit for an experienced, motivated and emotionally intelligent registered nurse with excellent clinical, leadership and practice development skills. This is a key role within the hospice, where you will lead and facilitate nursing development, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based palliative and end of life care for patients and their families.

The successful candidate will be working closely with the multidisciplinary team, you will promote excellence in patient care through education, workforce development, quality improvement initiatives and clinical leadership. You will play a vital role in supporting staff development, fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement, and ensuring nursing practice reflects current evidence, national standards and best practice.

To succeed in this role

You will be a resilient and compassionate practitioner with a passion for improving patient outcomes and developing others. You will have substantial post-registration experience and a strong background in palliative care, end of life care, oncology or a related specialty, alongside experience of leading practice development, education or quality improvement initiatives.

Additionally, it is just as important to us that you are able to demonstrate good computer skills, be an excellent communicator (both verbally and in writing), and have a passion for positively promoting Equality and Diversity.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Katie Grace, Clinical Team Lead on [email protected]

To apply for this position, please submit your expression of interest by clicking ‘Apply’ below.

Closing Date: Tuesday 6th October 2026

Interview Date: TBC

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• ESSENTIAL: Registered Adult Nurse and Degree in Nursing or related subject

Desirable

• DESIRABLE: Willing to undertake further qualifications

Experience

Essential

• ESSENTIAL: Demonstrable experience in palliative care or oncology experience

Desirable

• DESIRABLE: NHS Experience

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

St Christopher’s Hospice

Address

St Christopher's - Sydenham

51-59 Lawrie Park Road

Sydenham

London

SE26 6DZ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.stchristophers.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)