Urgent care Healthcare Assistant
We love what we do and we think you will, too!
At Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust (GHC), we provide joined-up mental health, physical health and learning disability services to people of all ages across Gloucestershire. We run community hospitals and provide care and support in people’s own homes and in a range of other locations across the county.
We are on a mission to enable people to live the best life they can and we have a vision to work together to provide outstanding care. We put people at the heart of our services, focusing on personalised care by asking ‘what matters to you’.
We’re passionate about making sure that everyone can contribute to achieving our mission and we are continually working to support healthy and happy high-quality teams in all areas of the Trust.
Our application process aims to understand each candidates knowledge, skills and experience. We have found that candidates that use AI to generate their answers can lack specificity and fail to address key criteria outlined in the job description.
It is really important to personalise your application to convey your individual skills, knowledge, and experiences effectively and for us to understand why you are applying for this role with GHC. We discourage over reliance on AI-generated applications as it will lessen your chances of success in securing an interview with us .
Job overview
Rapid Response offer a 24/7 response to patients who are acutely unwell and can be managed at home to avoid a hospital admission. To ensure we deliver high levels of patient care, and can respond to patients across the county, we are expanding our night cover and looking for dedicated Health Care Assistants to join our team.The role will predominantly be working 21:30-08:00 working alongside a registered practitioner but will involve some day shift working to meet service needs.
Main duties of the job- Supporting the registered practitioner to deliver high quality care to patients using the services.
- At times, working alone, visiting patients countywide to undertake clinical observations, phlebotomy and provide basic care to meet the needs of the patient.
- Liaising with the Co-ordinator to report on patient findings/observations and document clearly on SystmOne
- Expectation to work as part of the wider team when required.
- Providing a timely and effective response to patients under the care of either service.
- Responsible for providing a basic patient assessment at scene along with utilising basic manual handling procedures to assist the patient safely from the floor following a fall
The qualification, training & experience requirements for the role are underlined in the Job Description/Person Specification.
Working for our organisation
We have in excess of 5000 staff working over 50 sites, providing a diverse range of services. We strive to support an organisational culture that is welcoming, builds and celebrates inclusivity and diversity and provides a sense of belonging and trust.
The annual NHS Staff Survey gives our people the opportunity to tell us about their experience working at the Trust. For the 2023 survey just over 2800 colleagues gave us their views (58.5%). It was great to see from the results that colleagues are saying that:
- 89.7% believe they are making a positive difference to patients/service users;
- 73.3% would recommend the organisation as a place to work;
- 82.4% agree that care of patients and service users is the organisations priority;
- 76.7% would be happy with the standard of care for a friend or relative
Our results put us as 5th nationally as a Community, Mental Health and Learning Disabilities NHS Employer of Choice and 1st equal amongst all NHS Provider Trusts in the South West. However, we know we have more to do and will continue to drive forward our commitment to making GHC a Great Place to Work.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities- To independently provide a timely and effective response to those patients on the caseload, seeking support as necessary.
- To prepare the equipment and supplies for the shift.
- Manage stock rotation of supplies for either service
- Take blood samples from patients in their own home and deliver samples to the laboratory
- Ensure the pool car is equipped for the shift to include completion of checklist, fuel and equipment in car. Visual car checks and refuelling.
- Route planning to determine most efficient routes between patients
- To support the registered practitioner to provide skilled nursing care and personal care in a variety of community settings.
- To support the registered practitioner with assessment and assist patients to standing following an injurious/non-injurious fall
- Where appropriate attend patient visits independently including non-injurious falls to assist patients off the floor
Please refer to the Additional Information attachment before submitting your application.
As a Health Care Assistant/ Support Worker you will be responsible for participating and assisting in the delivery of care / services to patients and service users as part of a Mental Health and Social Care Health Service. Health Care Assistant, Social Care Workers and other Healthcare Support Workers employed by the Trust are required to follow the guidance set out in Code of Conduct for Health Care Assistants/ Health Care Support Workers to provide safe and compassionate care of a high standard, and to challenge others who are not.
You will receive direct supervision and partake in reflective practice / training on a regular basis and be required to meet the Care Certificate standards. All successful applicants will also have the opportunity to discuss the prospect of undertaking a Level 3 Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship alongside their substantive post.This apprenticeship would include the Level 3 Diploma in Clinical Healthcare.
Person specification
Ability
Essential criteria- Experience working in healthcare
- Ability to drive in the evening and overnight
- Work autonomously
- Experience with falls
- Experience working in the community or within urgent care
- Venepuncture or willingness to learn
Education
Essential criteria- NVQ L3 or equivalent experience in a healthcare setting
- Good Standard of Education
When joining us, as well as becoming part of a team that makes a difference, we also offer:
- Free car parking at many of our sites
- 27 days leave plus bank holidays, increasing up to 33 days with long service
- A broad range of training and development opportunities, including apprenticeships up to Level 7 qualification.
- A multi-professional preceptorship programme for all Newly Qualified; Nurses, Nursing Associates, Internationally Educated Practitioners, Allied Health Professionals and Return to Practice Practitioners.
- Generous NHS pension and enhanced pay when if you work unsocial hours
- Flexible, family friendly and agile working opportunities
- Recognition and long service awards
- Fast Track physiotherapy
- Our Wellbeing line
- Access to discounts and salary sacrifice schemes; including Cycle to Work, Car scheme and discounts on travel, leisure and retailers.
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date. Good luck with your application.
For more information please see the attached 'Additional Information for Applicants' document.