[ref. c99549324] NHS - Heart Failure Team Healthcare Assistant

Job overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic Healthcare Assistant who can support our specialist Heart Failure Nurses and administrator in delivering excellent quality care to our patients. Our Community Heart Failure Service has a well-established team of experienced Heart Failure Nurse Specialists who support patients across West Sussex aiming to improve patient’s symptoms and quality of life, using pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.

Our patients require close monitoring, of which you will help support, by taking patient observational recordings, ECG taking, basic physical assessments, phlebotomy, patient education, whilst we work together to reduce unnecessary hospital admission & supported discharges in line with National initiatives and guidance.

We are a very busy and passionate team so if you think you have the right skills please apply.

“Please note: Due to recent changes in UK immigration and visa rules, this role is unlikely to be eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be considered. Candidates requiring sponsorship should review the eligibility criteria on the gov.uk website before applying to assess their eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role."

• To contribute to the complex management of patients with Heart Failure in the community, supporting their care and treatment, whilst helping to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions, whilst under the direct care of Specialist Nurses.
• To liaise with secondary care and GPs as directed by HFSN to ensure seamless care.
• To ensure carers receive support and are signposted to appropriate services
• To ensure excellent end of life care as appropriate
• Work towards completing the Heart Failure Competency Framework for Health Care Professionals, under guidance from Heart Failure Nurse Specialists within the team
• Phlebotomy and ECG.
• Basic Physical Assessment under Supervision

Working for our organisation

We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex, with 6,000 staff serving 1.3 million people. We deliver essential care to adults and children, helping them manage their health, avoid hospital admissions, and reduce hospital stays.

Our Trust vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community. We offer opportunities across medical, clinical, support, and corporate services.

• Positive 2024 NHS Staff Survey results, highlighting compassionate leadership and wellbeing
• Varied environments: community hospitals, patients’ homes, and bases across Sussex
• Flexible working options: part-time, flexi-time, annualised hours, and flexi-retirement
• Excellent training, development, and research opportunities
• Cost-effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove, and Brighton
• Active EMBRACE, Disability & Wellbeing, LGBTQIA+, and Religion & Belief networks
• Level 3 Disability Confident Leader and Veteran Aware Trust
• Beautiful Sussex location near the South Downs and coast

Our values—Compassionate Care, Working Together, Achieving Ambitions, Delivering Excellence—guide everything we do.

We embrace diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from ethnically diverse, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. We aim to create an inclusive environment and support reasonable adjustments during recruitment.

This post may close early if sufficient applications are received

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• The role of the Health Care Assistant is an integral part of the Community Heart Failure Service supporting Specialist nurses in the management of patients diagnosed with Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction.
• You will work to undertake delegated activities to help deliver individualised care.
• You will play a vital role in the management of Heart Failure patients, performing tasks such as basic physical assessment, blood pressure, heart rate, venepuncture, ECG taking, patient education under close guidance.
• Under close guidance you will facilitate in preventing unnecessary hospital admissions, supporting patients and the wider teams to provide seamless care.
• Be responsible for ensuring high standards of health care are maintained and an active role in clinical governance.
• Ensures that all medical and emergency equipment is kept in a safe condition and is ready for use when required and that faulty equipment is reported and/or replaced as necessary.
• Ensures competency in relation to medical devices and other equipment used.
• Participates in nursing and clinical audit as guided by the team.
• Ensures application of local standards and philosophies.
• Communicates proactively with all staff on the clinical condition and

• Actively involves others in communications between patients their relatives and the multi-professional team, both within the organisation and with external stakeholders, and ensures excellent communication.
• Supports specialist nurses in co-ordinating the discharge process and ensures written and verbal advice is available to patients, relatives and carers.
• Actively involves patients, relatives and carers in their treatment and encourages others to enable individuals to assist in their recovery.
• Acts an ambassador/role model for the organisation and the nursing profession

Please read the Job Description/Person Specification for more information on the role!

Person specification

Experience

• Experience in Community Care Work
• Care Certificate or relevant NVQ
• Basic Education

• Minimum 12 months experience in care environment

Skills & Knowledge

• Ability to organise own workload
• Ability to take patients physical observations
• Phlebotomy skills
• Ability to advocate for patients and escalate concerns to professionals when required

• Ability work in a flexible way and respond positivly to change

Other Requirements

• UK Car drivers Licence and access to car
• Access to car for work purposes
• Willingness to undertake training to develop role