Senior Healthcare Support Worker - NHS

Job overview

We have an exciting opportunity for a senior healthcare support worker looking to work in a highly specialised area, caring for acute stroke patients in the Stroke Assessment Bay of our newly opened Hyper Acute Stroke Unit.

You will be working alongside a team of Stroke Assessors, supporting with patient admission, initial assessments and investigations, making sure the patient experience and quality of care delivered is always high standard and in line with Trust's values.

Main duties of the job

As a senior healthcare support worker, your role is multifaceted, encompassing various essential tasks to ensure the well-being and comfort of patients under your care. Some of your duties will include:

• · Assist patients who require help with meals, considering individual preferences and dietary restrictions.
• · Support patients with mobility by assisting with transfers, walking, or using mobility aids.
• · Assist patients with toileting needs while respecting their privacy and dignity at all times.
• · Regularly monitor pressure areas on patients' bodies, to prevent the development of pressure ulcers.
• · Offer emotional support and reassurance to patients, listening to their concerns.
• · Regularly monitor and record patients' vital signs.
• · Report any significant changes or abnormalities to the healthcare team promptly.
• · Conduct 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) on patients as directed by healthcare professionals.
• · Skilfully insert cannulas for intravenous access and collect blood samples for diagnostic testing.
• · Perform regular monitoring of patients' blood glucose levels using approved devices.
• · Conduct regular weight measurements of patients using calibrated scales, documenting changes and trends over time.
• · Accompany patients to diagnostic imaging appointments, such as CT scans or MRI scans.

Working for our organisation

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 NHS Staff Survey.

We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.

Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.

We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it’s adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.

Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:

• At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
• Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
• Blue Light card eligibility
• And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.

Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children)

All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date had been agreed.

The programme includes two supernumerary shifts in the clinical area (an early and a late shift), all of the other days are classroom-based and run from 9am to 5pm.

Please note that this role may often attract a high level of applications. Therefore, post may close earlier than the original date so please ensure you submit your application as soon as possible

Person specification

Qualifications

• NVQ/Diploma level 3 in Healthcare (or equivalent healthcare qualification) or successful completion of a level 3 Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship.
• Functional skills English and maths level 2 or GCSE English and maths grades A*/9 – C/4.
• UK Care Certificate

• European Computer Driving Licence

Experience/Knowledge

• Previous experience in an acute care setting.
• Good general education.
• Can compare basic test results to normal values.

• Health & Safety at Work Act (1974).
• Experience with acute stroke patients.

Skills

• Able to read, write and perform simple calculations.
• Good communication skills (written and verbal).
• Can understand and communicate factual information.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Basic keyboard skills.
• Ability to prioritize workload with supervision.
• Can demonstrate practical skills to others.
• Manual dexterity.
• Able to pass knowledge on to others and follow an established NVQ assessment process.
• Able to assess and document vital signs

• Competent performing ECGs.
• Competent with venepuncture and cannulation.
• Competent using glucometer.

In the event that we receive a high volume of applications, we may need to close the application process earlier than planned. To avoid missing out, we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

Please contact the Recruiting Manager for an informal discussion should you have any queries relating to the role for which you are applying.

We are committed to being a diverse employer and strive to reflect everyone in our local communities. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences and celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints, and ideas that will make our Trust the best place to work.

You can find out more here: Access to Work: get support if you have a disability or health condition: What Access to Work is - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Good luck! We look forward to welcoming you to our exceptional team!