Senior Healthcare Assistant

Job overview

Are you a caring and experienced Healthcare Assistant ready to develop your skills in a highly specialised environment? Our Interventional Radiology team is looking for Band 3 Healthcare Assistants to join us in delivering safe, compassionate, and effective care to patients undergoing a wide range of procedures.

Interventional Radiology involves performing minimally invasive procedures under image guidance, including fluoroscopy, CT and ultrasound for both diagnostic and treatment purposes. These procedures may be carried out under local anaesthetic, general anaesthetic, or sedation. Patients require reassurance, close monitoring, and compassionate support before, during, and after their procedures.

We provide 24/7 Interventional Radiology cover as part of the Trust’s stroke thrombectomy and major trauma services. As such, all Healthcare Assistants will be expected to join the IR on-call rota and/or be able to cover night shifts following a period of induction and training.

IR is a technologically advanced and rapidly evolving area of medicine. If you're someone who thrives in a high-tech, dynamic environment and is interested in being part of a cutting-edge clinical service, this role offers a unique and rewarding opportunity.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Main duties of the job

What We’re Looking For:

• Experience working as a Healthcare Assistant in a hospital or similar clinical setting
• A calm, empathetic approach with a genuine commitment to high-quality patient care
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills
• Confidence working in a specialised, fast-paced clinical environment
• Willingness to work flexibly, including out-of-hours on-call shifts after training
• Motivation to learn and develop within a technically complex and rewarding field

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Supporting care delivery as planned and assessed by Registered Nurses and other healthcare professionals
• Monitoring patients' physical and emotional wellbeing before, during, and after interventional procedures
• Assisting with image-guided procedures the use fluoroscopy, CT and ultrasound
• Helping ensure the smooth running of daily IR lists and clinics, with a focus on patient safety and experience
• Carrying out extended clinical duties such as ECGs, venepuncture, and cannulation (following training and competency assessment)
• Participating in the departmental on-call rota to support emergency IR procedures (after induction and training)

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Obtain consent prior to giving care in accordance with Trust policies.
• Competently undertake delegated duties in line with patient care plans.
• Ability to use your knowledge and experience to undertake non-routine duties and an understanding to take decisions within your area of responsibility.
• To carry out a range of (limited) clinical duties with minimal / 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 and will vary depending on area of work.
• 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 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.
• Utilising 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 effective record keeping and communication with patients, relatives, and members of the Multidisciplinary team regarding all aspects of care demonstrating a range of appropriate communication skills, where there may be barriers to understanding.
• Ensuring equipment and stores are well maintained, taking appropriate action if the equipment is faulty.  This may include ordering supplies.
• Work effectively as part of a team.
• The SHCSW is responsible for inputting information into the electronic patient record where applicable and also into patients written records.  Comply with all relevant legislation and local policies regarding confidentiality and access to medical records. For further details please see the attached JD & PS