Senior Health Care Assistant - Emergency Department
Job overview
Opportunity has arisen to offer health care assistants the opportunity within the Emergency Department to apply for band 3 positions within the department.
Are you passionate about the care you delivery to patients that attend the Emergency Department, developing the care we deliver to our patients.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification***
Main duties of the job
To provide high standard of care to patients of all ages that attend the Emergency Department, within all areas of the department. To be confident and signed off in advanced skills to meet the needs of the patient.
Working for our organisation
We are a people business – where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care.The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY.
If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles.
Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams.
It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities- Provide and deliver a high standard of nursing care recognising and meeting the specific needs of patients.
- To lead, under indirect supervision, the Healthcare Assistant team and the management of own clinical workload, within the given competencies of the post.
- To provide assessment and care of patient’s presenting to minors with minor injuries and illness, under supervision of trained members of the Rapid assessment Team.
- To carry out cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological observations on patients, recognising, recording and reporting all changes in patient’s condition to senior staff.
- To escort patients to and from investigation to treatment areas including theatre and wards in line with trust internal transfer and escorting policy.
- To undertake procedures such as venepuncture, cannulation, ECG and catheterisation of patients as required by the multidisciplinary team and under indirect supervision of registered nurse, Advanced Practitioner, Emergency Nusre Practitioner and Doctors.
- To be able to provide and manage patient’s treatments for Minor Injuries such as basic plastering, wound closure (glue, steri-strips), splints, crutches, slings under indirect supervision of registered nurse, Nurse Practitioner and Advanced Nusre Practitioner.
- Provide support and training of New, Junior and Apprentice Health Care Assistant to be able to undertake scribe training.
- To support maintenance of fluid balance and dietary charts, recognising, recording datix and reporting all adverse findings to senior staff, provide care and treatment.
- To carry out observations of skin integrity over pressure points, recognising and reporting all adverse findings to senior staff.
- To complete documentation for and Manual Handling Charts, to be assessed by registered staff.
- To recognise the importance of health education and teaching of patients and carers, and to be able to advise and refer patients on where to access information.
- Document on Nerve Centre and assign observations for review to nurse in charge of the area for sign off.
- To document fully patient assessment and care given to patient’s under your care under the assessment of a registered practitioner.
- To Undertake and fully document patients intentional rounding for each patient within their care.
- To maintain his/her own professional development, attending courses/further training to enhance and optimise his/her role within the work area.
- To participate in the training and development of junior staff on the ward and participate in the supervision and support of Health Care Assistants.
- Act as a mentor to new Health Care Assistants & HCA Trainees, participating in induction programmes, and on-going development of their practice.
- To promote and safeguard the well-being of patients, their families and colleagues. To Undertake and keep up to date as stipulated with the trust Level 2 and 3 safeguarding training for adults and children. To also attend Learning disability and Autism training in line with trust policy.
- To participate in the development and implementation of ward area policy and nursing strategies.
- To supervise and share responsibility in the care and maintenance of all the specialist equipment on the ward.
- To respect the confidential information, in line with Trust policy Data Protection Act, obtained in the course of work and not disclose this information.
- To be familiar with and adhere to Trust and Departmental policies and procedures mindful of responsibilities to self, colleagues and patients.
- Report untoward incidents such as complaints, clinical emergencies, and injury using datix and informing the senior staff.
- Following patient assessment by Registered staff, undertake extended skills specific to individual competence under the indirect supervision of Registered staff.
- To Work along side the nurse co-ordinator for the area and patient flow co-ordinator to ensure safe, timely patient transfer to investigations and admission to wards.
- To undertake and lead on a link role alongside other multidisciplinary team members to aid development and changes in practice. To be the lead and support new and junior staff by providing support, advice and signpost to speciality services.
- To complete Assessors course to mentor and support junior staff.
- To offer and provide support to the multidisciplinary team by being able to work and support staff and patients in each area of the department.
Person specification
KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE
Essential criteria- • Experience of providing care in a healthcare or social setting
- • Be able to work as a member of a team
- • Experience of time management and prioritising work
- • Understands and committed to a caring approach to patients & relatives
QUALIFICATIONS
Essential criteria- • One of the following o Level 3 (SCQF – 6): - City and Guilds 3 o NVQ 3 o BTEC National Diploma o Experience equivalent to the above qualifications
- • Level 2 Functional skills in English and Math’s, or equivalent
- • Completion of Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (that maps to the Apprenticeship Standard for Senior Health Care Support Worker)
- • Equivalent demonstrable experience
APTITUDE & ABILITIES
Essential criteria- • Effective and appropriate communication skills both written and verbal
- • Able to complete appropriate documentation accurately
- • Demonstrate an awareness of healthcare work and policies and procedures
- • Committed to providing high quality patient care
- • Flexible and adaptable to change, able to work a range of shifts and moving across wards/unit dependant on clinical need
- • Able to demonstrate calm, caring patient manner / attitude
- • Enthusiasm and commitment to working within the healthcare setting
DISPOSITION / ATTITUDE / MOTIVATION
Essential criteria- • Has a caring and compassionate nature
- • Demonstrates self-motivation
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY INCLUDING YOUR JUNK FOLDER.
If you need support with the online application process or require reasonable adjustments with the application and/or interview process please contact the Recruiting Manager for this post.
We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants about less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. We recommend contacting the manager of the role prior to applying and we commit to giving requests full consideration.
We welcome and encourage applicants who identify with all protected characteristics to apply for our roles. We believe that diversity strengthens our teams and improves our patients' experience. At UHP we aim to create an inclusive workplace and hospital where everyone feels they belong and included.
It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Providing false information is an offence & could result in the application being rejected or summary dismissal/police action if an applicant is successful.
Please note that if you are successful in your application & accept the position you agree that the Staff Health and Wellbeing Department can access your health records from your current/previous employer in order to check the status of your inoculations & screening tests.This is an automated process & the information will only be used for these purposes prior to your taking up the position with us.
For Doctors Roles:
Unsolicited CVs and Candidate Profiles/Details
University Hospitals Plymouth has a commitment to sourcing candidates directly and as such we do not accept speculative CVs from agencies.
We do, however, work with a defined list of preferred HTE Framework suppliers who may be invited to support us in sourcing candidates for particular roles.
In line with our preferred supplier list, we only pay agency fees where we have a signed agreement in place and an agency has been instructed by a member of the Trust’s Medical Workforce team.
We do not pay agency fees where speculative and unsolicited CVs are submitted to the Trust or Trust employees by any other means than the official route above. Where this is not observed the Trust reserves the right to contact these candidates directly and initiate discussions without payment of any agency fee.
Any candidate details (whether written or spoken) or CVs that are referred directly will not constitute an introduction. The Trust will under no circumstances be responsible for any recruitment fees in relation to these contacts.
Submission of any unsolicited CVs, candidate’s details and/or proposals to the Trust will not be considered further and will be deemed evidence of full and unlimited acceptance of this Agency Protocol.
In order to establish and maintain good working relationships with the Trust’s agency suppliers, we ask that this Protocol is adhered to and thank you for your co-operation.