Emily Loader is a Healthcare Assistant for Hospice at Home, caring for adults with incurable or complex conditions living in Southend-On-Sea, Rochford and Castle Point. After completing her Access course in Nursing & Midwifery, she was looking for a healthcare-based position to gain clinical experience.

“I was searching for a job for a couple of months, waiting for something that stood out from the rest. When I saw the Havens Hospices Healthcare Assistant vacancy, I instantly knew that was the job I was looking for.

“Havens Hospices has done so much for my family, friends, and the local community, so it is an absolute honour to become a part of such an incredible charity and its work.

“No day is a typical day on a care round because of the nature of our job role, conditions can change very quickly, so it’s been a massive learning curve. Each patient has a care plan tailored to their requirements, including information about their needs and medications. In addition, we provide personal and intimate care as part of our daily visits. Taking care of their spiritual, psychological, mental, physical, and emotional needs is also important every day.

“We work in pairs, which I love because my colleagues are some of the nicest people I have met – working closely alongside them is incredible.

“Being new to healthcare, it’s amazing to receive thanks from patients, families, and colleagues. Knowing that I have made the patients as comfortable as they can be and that I am doing a good job will forever be a huge accomplishment. I cannot change the results of their illnesses, but I can make a difference in their journeys, and that is what inspires me to be a lifelong learner of science and the art of palliative care.”

“A lot of people imagine working in palliative care is sad or depressing, but there are more happy times than sad. As well as looking after people at end of life, we also provide respite care, which is wonderful because I get to really know a patient and learn about their life, not just their ill health.

“My best memory so far was a respite visit – my heart smiled the entire two hours I was with the patient. They were quite independent and made me endless cups of tea. We ate cake together, walked around their beautiful garden, and sat in the sun laughing and smiling, talking about their family. They got out their guitar and played some songs whilst singing along to them. The whole experience was so special – it was the moment I knew this wasn’t just a job.

 “Working at Havens Hospices is different from care agencies or a hospital environment because we have more time to spend with every patient – every day is fulfilling and rewarding.

 “I have been a stay-at-home mum for five years, so going back to work was a massive transition in my family life. Finding a full-time job that worked around my children, school runs, and home life was a necessity, and Havens Hospices made it all possible for me.

“I am so incredibly grateful to be caring for our patients and families at such a vulnerable time in their lives. Being part of their last memories and making them smile is the most rewarding and fulfilling feeling in the world – feelings that will stay with me forever.”

Inspired by Emily’s story? Discover our current vacancies and see how you can be ‘Making every day count’ in your career.

Published on 5th October 2022