Healthcare Assistant
MKUH staff scored highest for ‘I look forward to coming to work’ (NHS Staff Survey 2023).
You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:
- Free on-site parking
- Free refreshments
- Great flexible working opportunities
- Discounted gym membership
- Lease car scheme
- Generous annual leave and pension scheme
- On site nursery (chargeable)
- Extensive staff health and well-being programme
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Job overview
Healthcare Assistant
Department: Ward 14 and Ward 19
Band 2/3
Hours: 37.5 x4 and 11 x1 hours per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
TEAMMKUH are looking for FOUR or FIVE multiple motivated, organised and enthusiastic individuals to join our team as a Healthcare Assistant. Additionally, we are a friendly team who support and encourage each other, all successful applicants must hold the same values.
Ward 14 (also known as Phoenix Ward) is a nurse-led ward caring for male and female elderly patients working closely with Therapy Assistants and Ward 19 is a 28/30-bed ward caring for both male and female patients that has a ‘End PJ Paralysis programme which supports patients in wearing their own day clothes.Both wards contain highly skilled doctors, nurses and domestics caring for all our patients’ holistic needs and promoting independence and rehabilitation.
Good communication skills are required, and you should be able to work independently and as part of a wider team Additionally, you must be understanding of accurate documentation within the workplace and be caring towards patients, staff and their family members.Candidates will be required to work a combination of duties including early, late, nights, weekdays and weekends.
Interview date: Week Commencing 16.06.2025
Main duties of the job
The role of the Healthcare Assistant is to assist the nursing team in the delivery of safe effective care to the patient, supporting patients with personal care and activities of daily living.
If you do not have an NHS Care Certificate, the successful postholders will be Band 2 and required to undertake the Care Certificate within the first 12 weeks of employment. Once your 6-month probation has completed, you will be a Band 3 (subject to passing probationary period).
Working for our organisation
We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute
They embrace opportunities to demonstrate initiative within their roles, with an impressive 83.2% seizing such chances to drive improvements in their work areas. (NHS Staff Survey 2023)- Free on-site parking
- Free refreshments
- Great flexible working opportunities
- Discounted gym membership
- Lease car scheme
- Generous annual leave and pension scheme
- On site nursery (chargeable)
- Extensive staff health and well-being programme
Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities- Undertake personal care duties, supporting patients as needed with bathing, toileting, dressing and feeding. Ensure privacy and dignity is maintained.
- Assess patient health, safety and wellbeing whilst undertaking personal care, reporting any concerns with patient conditions to a senior member of staff, in accordance with the department’s escalation process.
- To complete relevant documentation, including updating patient records with patient information such as fluid balance, nutrition, height and weight, as necessary.
- To assist, where appropriate, in the induction of new staff within the department, demonstrating duties to new starters
- To organise own daily workload, adjusting and prioritising appropriately as the ward activity dictates.
- Communicate factual information to patients regarding their condition within clinical remit. Patients may have barriers to understanding such as a physical or mental disability, including dementia and so information will need to be delivered with tact, empathy, and sensitivity.
- Utilise persuasive skills, as necessary, to encourage patients to engage and undertake activities of daily living.
- To ensure that patients, relatives and visitors needs are met in a courteous, helpful, and compassionate manner.
- To demonstrate a pro-active approach to maintaining overall tidiness and cleanliness of the ward/department and equipment.
- To adhere to Trust policies and procedures.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Person specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential criteria- Basic understanding and competence in Maths & English
- NVQ Level 2 or equivalent relevant experience
- Knowledge of personal care and activities of daily living
- Awareness of importance of infection prevention & control
- Understanding of the importance of safe working practices
- Insight into personal care needs
- CARE Certificate
- Understanding of the role of a Healthcare Assistant
- Awareness of NHS policies
Experience
Essential criteria- Experience of working in a team
- Experience of being a care giver
- Previous NHS experience
- Experience of working with the public/in customer care
Skills
Essential criteria- Ability to demonstrate commitment to high standards of care
- Accurate record keeping
- Ability to work under pressure
- Ability to prioritise tasks effectively at short notice
- Caring in a professional manner towards patients and their relatives
- Good time management
Personal and people development
Essential criteria- Commitment to Safeguarding
- Presents a professional appearance
- Ability to work within a team
- Self-motivated and enthusiastic
- Commitment to working in a caring environment with people of all ages
Communication
Essential criteria- Clear spoken and written English
- Able to show care, empathy and respect to patients and their families
- Able to communicate with team members, carrying out instructions and feeding back information.
- Able to record care provided using MKUH documentation and complying with MKUH policies and guidelines.
Specific requirements
Essential criteria- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations.
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS.This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.