Healthcare Assistant

Job overview

A Health Care Assistant (HCA) is a core member of our team, delivering direct care to patients and supporting registered practitioners to deliver high quality, compassionate health care to people in accordance with assessed needs and a care plan.

To carry out a range of clinical, non-clinical and therapeutic tasks, under the direct or indirect supervision of registered healthcare practitioners, in accordance with the Trust values.  Maintaining accurate records detailing patient care and observations to supporting Clinical Lead   in providing care  and continual support .

The aim of this role is to always deliver high-quality patient care and rehabilitation support within our Community Hospital .

Main duties of the job

HCAs are responsible to meet and greet for all Patients attending appointments and to always ensure patient safety. Recording observations communicating effectively directly to Clinician and to be patients advocate while assessments undertaken. Meet and greet aspects is essential at start of patient’s appointments and to always ensure patient safety during their appointment.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical (under indirect supervision, once competent)

• Obtain consent prior to giving care in accordance with Trust policies.
• To contribute to the delivery of patient care by undertaking tasks delegated

by the registered nurse/therapist, following the documented care plan and ward handover to allow seamless provision of care .

• To carry out a range of clinical duties with minimal or no supervision, including for example, blood pressure monitoring, oxygen saturation levels, body temperature, pulse rate and respiration rate, glucose monitoring, collection and testing of urine samples / faecal samples / sputum samples and wound swabs ensuring delivery of high-quality patient care at all times. (NB: this list is not exhaustive, training will be given where needed and will vary depending on location.)
• Recording observations and assessment of patients, contributing to the evaluation of the patient’s progress and reporting changes to their health and well-being as appropriate - promptly and accurately.
• Undertake clinical audits (under the supervision of a Registered Nurse) to identify and improve patient safety and care.
• Not all duties are routine, and you will need to use your knowledge, experience and understanding to take decisions within your area of responsibility
• Participate in patient assessment providing high quality holistic patient care and escalating concerns about patients to other clinical staff
• Practice safe standards of care to patients following Trust guidelines and policies and policies and be able to concentrate for periods throughout the day with occasional interruptions.
• Provide clinical care in accordance with the infection prevention and health and safety policies and procedures.
• Maintain the work environment in line with Trust infection control and patient safety policies
• Develop the skills to actively facilitate self-care and independence with patients.
• Promote health education specific to the clinical area and in line with national and local policies.
• Maintain accurate records  using systems within OPD .
• Ensuring equipment and stores are well maintained, taking appropriate action if the equipment is faulty

Our Community Hospitals are at the heart of what we do. Our service to provides a high standard of care and support for patients, where care can no longer be delivered in the home due to the complexity of their condition.

The Health Care Assistant will support and deliver the provision of high-quality person-centred care, under the guidance of the Registered nursing team.

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.

The Trust is required to work in line with the Government’s UK Visa and Immigration Rules and Regulations. For more information about sponsorship for certain roles, please visit - https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas