Healthcare Assistant

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Healthcare Assistant to join us at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust. There are various opportunities available within our Medical and Surgical inpatient wards.  This role is suitable for an enthusiastic, caring and compassionate Healthcare Assistant who is keen to be part of a caring and compassionate team.

We are keen to hear from applicants who are motivated,  hardworking and have a passion in providing high quality care for our patients.

Our wards provide 24/7 care and it is an expectation that successful candidates will work weekends and nights.

Previous applicants need not apply.

Main duties of the job

As a  Healthcare Assistant in Gateshead Health NHS FT, you will be working along side Registered Nurses, Physicians and Allied Health Professionals to provide multidisciplinary care.

The role of the Healthcare Assistant is to support the delivery of fundamental nursing care, such as personal care, assisting with meals, mobility and monitoring. The Healthcare Assistant will work under the guidance of the Registered Nurse.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Key responsibilities:

To abide by trust policies and procedures Build and maintain safe and effective therapeutic relationships Support individuals to contribute to collaborative care/support/recovery plans Support the named nurse to develop collaborative individual, patient centred care plans and implement them creatively using initiative. Communicate effectively with a wide range of people using a range of preferred methods  Contribute to monitoring, observing and engaging with individuals,  communicating outcomes and conclusions with the rest of the team Gain an understanding of a person’s experiences in relation to their mental health, learning disability and/or dementia.  Understand a person’s coping strategies and strengths and support people to use these at times of distress or difficulty Contribute to reflective practice and encourage compassion and understanding.

Be able to recognise increasing risk and alert significant others and the team to  respond as needed Undertake a range of practical tasks and duties in support of the Team and individual needs.  Follow principles of diffusion and de-escalation and where physical interventions or restraint are required, to approach in line with approved techniques considering the safety and dignity of the individual throughout. To feel confident to be able to report untoward incidents and areas of concern as soon as they arise To document any relevant information in an electronic record following relevant policy and legislation Contribute to individual reviews and team meetings

Duties

Each individual has different needs however the list below outlines just some of the practical duties that the post holder will undertake, support and enable people to/with: Using appropriate assessment tools under supervision to assist the registered practitioner in assessment of the patients’ health and wellbeing needs.  Initiate emergency action when required e.g cardiac arrest, fire Identify/contribute to their own goals to improve their quality of life Participate in clinical skills as trained in line with role e.g recording ECG’s Contribute to their own care/support/recovery plans Support individuals to express their needs and wishes Promote their personal hygiene and physical health. Actively engage in health promotion Engage in meaningful and enjoyable activity To support individuals with external activities/appointments under indirect supervision May have responsibility for patient monies/valuables which need to be handled within GHFT guidelines Assist individuals with activities of daily living.