Healthcare Assistant
Job overview
Band 2, Healthcare Assistant
West Middlesex Site/Chelsea Site
Healthcare assistants are a vital part of the team that supports the staff and patients in wards and departments throughout the hospital. Working under the direction of qualified nursing/midwifery staff, healthcare assistants carry out a wide range of duties to care for, support, and provide information to patients and their families and the role can be very varied depending upon the area in which the person is employed.They also carry out a range of housekeeping duties, as well as performing basic medical checks, such as taking a patient’s temperature, pulse and respiration rate.
We are looking for enthusiastic Band 2 Healthcare Assistants to join our team at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex Hospital .
Are you a motivated individual who enjoys working as part of a team within a fast paced environment? Then apply to come and work with us and become a member of our valued staff.
You must have acute experience and have maths and English level 2.
Candidates will be required to complete a Maths and English test on the day of the interview.
Please note that this advert is part of a mass campaign recruiting for Trust Wide Healthcare Assistant vacancies. Successful applicants will be required to work full time and on a flexible shift pattern, including: long shifts, early shift, late shift, nights, weekends and bank holidays.
Main duties of the job
Healthcare Assistant are a vital part of the team that supports the staff and patients in wards and departments throughout the hospital. Working under the direction of qualified nursing/ midwifery staff, healthcare assistants carry out a wide range of duties to care for, support, and provide information to patients and their families and the role can be very varied depending upon the area in which the person is employed.They also carry out a range of housekeeping duties, as well as performing basic medical checks, such as taking a patient’s temperature, pulse and respiration rate.
The attitude and behaviour of a healthcare assistant is of far more importance than any formal qualifications. Suitable candidates for the role are friendly, caring and sensitive individuals, who are able to offer social stimulation as well as care to the patients they tend.
They will also demonstrate the Trust values – Kindness, Respect, Safety and Excellence – in all aspects of their role.
The post holder will aim to ensure that all patients are provided with a safe and high quality standard of care.
Working for our organisation
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is proud to be one of the top performing and safest trusts in England. We have two main acute hospital sites—Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital, plus our award-winning clinics across North West London and beyond.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Clinical Support Role
Under direct supervision assist with the delivery of care plan as described by the Registered Nurse/ Midwife
Assist patients with their care needs as required reporting any change in the patient’s condition to the registered nurse/ midwife
Support the Registered Nurse/ Midwife and other health professionals with the mobilization or transfer of patients
Develop awareness of patients in pain and discomfort and report any changes in the patient’s condition to the registered Nurse/ Midwife
Have an awareness of patient’s dietary needs, delivering meals, providing patients with drinks where necessary and providing assistance with eating and drinking if required
Demonstrate an understanding of the different needs of individual patients and their carers/ families
Develop an awareness of vulnerable patients and their safe guarding needsUnder supervision, take and record the patients observations (e.g. temperature, blood pressure) as required and inform the registered nurse/ midwife of any changes in the patient’s
condition
Support the patient’s with their elimination needs recording quantities and frequency on the relevant documentation charts as prescribed by the Registered Nurse/ Midwife
Develop an awareness of effective pressure area care and skin assessment supporting the patient to maintain their skin integrity
Support the Registered Nurse/ Midwife and other health professionals to provide the patients and their families with safe, excellent, respectful and kind care.
Work with the Registered Nurse/ Midwife to engage with patients and communicate with them about their experiences during their stay, for example providing patients with the Friends and Family Test questionnaire
To work with the Registered Nurse/ Midwife to support the safe discharge/ transfer of patients from the clinical area.
Housekeeping and Environmental Care
Will ensure the environment is clean, comfortable, safe, and welcoming to patients, relativesand all health care workers
Will be aware of and understand; basic infection control techniques, the disposal of sharps and universal safety techniques with regard to spillages.
Clean and maintain equipment and make ready for use with the relevant labelling.
Report any faulty or broken equipment to the Registered Nurse/ Midwife and label appropriately
Deliver specimens, test requests, notes or any charts as requested.
Escort patients to other departments.
To have an awareness of monitoring and maintaining, where required, stock levels.
Keep all storage areas clean and tidy and in good order
Clerical and Reception
Undertake administrative and clerical duties as required/ in the absence of the ward clerk/ receptionist
Deal with all enquiries politely and effectively in any circumstances.
Ensure patients confidentiality and details are maintained at all times.
Redirect all patients’ enquiries to the Registered Nurse/ Midwife.
Ensure that all information is accurately recorded and files updated and that all documentation is accurately filed as directed.
Make patient appointments and book patient transport, if required, as directed by the Registered Nurse/ Midwife
Education and Development
To undertake further educational qualifications, competencies and training in order to increase knowledge and remain updated
To be aware of and operate within hospital policies and procedures regarding complaints, fire & major incidents etc.
To participate in own Appraisal, developing and actioning a Personal Development Plan (PDP).
To attend appropriate educational programmes to develop his/her self and team in accordance with the needs of the service.
Communication
Ensure all communication, which may be complex, contentious or sensitive, is undertaken in a responsive and inclusive manner, focusing on improvement and ways to move forward.
Ensure all communication is presented appropriately to the different recipients, according to levels of understanding, type of communication being imparted and possible barriers such as language, culture, understanding or physical or mental health conditions.
Person specification
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
Essential criteria- Demonstrable literacy and numeracy skills
- Willing to develop within the health and
- NVQ/QCF/ Apprenticeship level 2 or equivalent experience
EXPERIENCE
Essential criteria- Interest or experience within a carer’s role/setting
- Volunteering or work experience within a health setting
- Insight into the HCA role
- Experience providing customer care
- Working within a multi-disciplinary team
- Previous experience within a carer role
- The closing date given is a guide only. There may be some occasions when we have to close a vacancy once sufficient applications have been received. You are therefore advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
- Please check your emails regularly as this is how we will communicate with you throughout the recruitment process.
- If you have not heard from us within 3 weeks after the closing date, we regret that this usually means your application was not successful.
- In submitting an application, you authorise the Trust to confirm any previous NHS service details via the Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process, should you be appointed to the post.
- During the recruitment process your identity documentation (ie passport, driving licence, visa etc) will be scanned using a device which recognises UV, infrared and machine-readable zone security features of the documents provided.
- Employment at the Trust is offered subject to successful completion of a six month probationary period.