Healthcare Assistant

Job summary

37.5 hours per week

"Please note that this role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, please refer to the Direct Gov website for more information with regards to eligibility"

An exciting opportunity has arisen to work in Coteheles purpose built 10 bedded Unit based at the Glenbourne Unit in Plymouth. We are a mixed Functional Mental Health unit that provides quality care to predominantly over 65s who are in the acute phase of their illness. The role would involve assisting registered nursing staff to deliver high standards of care within an assessment and treatment unit. To be considered as part of this cohesive and friendly team, you may ring to discuss and even arrange a visit. Applications are invited from experienced Health Care Assistants.

You must be keen to work as part of a team, be enthusiastic, highly motivated and organised and have the ability to deal with sometimes distressed older people and their families/carers.

All candidates must be computer literate and have a firm understanding of information governance. If you think you have the right skills to offer us at this exciting time then we would very much like to hear from you. You will need to be able to work a rotating shift pattern to cover the ward 24 hour 7 days a week.

This post requires the post holder to be able to undertake all statutory and mandatory training including physical intervention training.

Main duties of the job

The role of the Band 3 Health Care Assistant (HCA) is to assist the registered nurse in the recovery of the service user. This will include physical, social and psychological care.

You will receive enhanced payments for night and weekend work and access to a pension scheme. We will also support and facilitate your development in this role through supervision and a personal development plan tailored to your needs and experience.

The post holder will be required to work both within inpatient areas with clients in the community. This will involve contact with relatives, carers and other agencies. They will carry out interventions as part of the care plans and record information using the CPA process on electronic patient's notes.

The post holder will be directed to undertake tasks once adequate instruction has been given by the trained nurse and both parties are confident that the task can be fulfilled competently. However, the trained nurse is required to carry the responsibility for decision making and direction.

All Livewell Southwest staff are expected to able and willing to work across a 7 day service.

Please see job description for more details.

About us

Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise providing integrated health & social care services for people across Plymouth, South Hams & West Devon, as well as some specialist services for people living in parts of Devon & Cornwall. With teams in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, health & wellbeing hubs.

As an organisation with a strong social conscience, we always value being kind, respectful, inclusive, ambitious, responsible and collaborative. Transforming services to make them sustainable, ensuring that we value, support & empower each other.

We are committed to involving the people we care for, families & carers in everything that we do, working towards co-production where we can. Helping us to deliver the right care for people, in the right place & at the right time. By putting people at the centre of what we do, we ensure to support people to lead, healthy independent lives & be the very best at helping people to live well.

Valuing our employees making an investment in their development a priority. We offer:

Protected CPD time for registered staff

Various development pathways and ongoing regular training packages for all staff

Leadership & mentoring programmes

Access & funding for training including Care Certificate, Assistant Practitioners Course & Scholarship into Nurse Training

A Robust Preceptorship

A bespoke induction programme

Existing members of the NHS Pension Scheme can continue their membership when they join the organisation.

Date posted

24 May 2023

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£22,816 to £24,336 a year pa, pro-rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

B9832-MHWB511

Job locations

Morlaix Road

Derriford

Plymouth

PL6 5AF

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key Tasks and Responsibilities of the Post

To work under the direction of a registered member of nursing staff, but at times will not have direct supervision.

To work within a team supporting and assisting qualified staff in the implementation of patient care including personal hygiene, toileting, moving and handling and assisting with motivation.

To undertake a range of competencies which may include specific training appropriate to the role/service and undertake and record correctly a range of observations.

To use clinical decision making tools to inform care such as Waterlow, MUST etc and be able to highlight significant results to senior staff.

Once assessed as competent perform a number of tasks such as simple wound care and venepuncture and other clinical responsibilities as delegated by the registered nursing staff.

To provide self-directed, individual activities for specific patients working within risk management guidelines which may include working alone at times, under the guidance of the registered nurse.

To be able to identify when there may be a safeguarding risk for any patient or carer and know the process to follow.

Participate in unit wide response team to ensure safety on the wards and be fully trained in physical intervention which will be in date.

To carry out specific tasks as assigned by registered nurse. To undertake only those tasks that for which he/she has received instruction and and is competent to fulfil as a senior healthcare assistant.

To provide mentorship and support to junior staff or students.

To engage with audits and quality control projects as directed by the Ward Manager.

To receive reports on patient care and be able to report back with observations to the nurse in charge within his / her competency.

To be willing to participate actively in appropriate in-service training programmes which the manager believes to be of benefit to the individual. To assume co-responsibility for maintaining skills and knowledge levels.

To assist the registered nurse to carry out, under direction, tasks which fulfil the patients / clients physical and psychological need, as identified in the Care Plan / Assessment.

Escort patients to other wards / departments or other areas designated by trained staff, which may include the community.

To provide a high standard of care under the direction and supervision of more senior staff.

Make appropriate records in the multi-disciplinary patient electronic file.

To assist the patients personal care and record patients observations in accordance with the Care Plan.

Record and manage patients property.

Undertake specific responsibilities designated by the Ward Manager.

To undertake mandatory and other training as directed by the Organisation.

To assist the multi-disciplinary team in the delivery and evaluation of patient care.

To behave in a manner which does not bring the Organisation into disrepute, whilst on or off duty. To comply with all conditions within contract.

To liaise across inpatient and community colleagues and to work flexibly across the Mental Health Localities, according to service need.

To adhere to Livewell SW dress code

The post holder is required to comply with all infection control, policies and guidance, attend relevant updates and report issues of concern to their immediate line manager (if no action or explanation received, then it is the individuals responsibility to escalate to Director of Operations / Chief Executive office).

See job description for further details.