Bank Health Care Assistant

NHS; Exeter; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A local health service organization in Exeter is looking for a dedicated Health Care Assistant to deliver high-quality care in a multi-disciplinary team. You will support patients with complex life-limiting illnesses, ensuring their comfort and dignity while assisting the registered nursing staff. The ideal candidate should have a Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care, alongside experience in clinical and palliative care settings. This full-time position offers an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in patients' lives.

Qualifications

• Experience in delivering care in a clinical environment.
• Awareness of the complexities of working with individuals at times of distress and conflict.
• Demonstrable experience of caregiving in Acute Trust or Community Services.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the implementation of planned care for patients under supervision.
• Monitor patients' conditions continuously and escalate issues when required.
• Develop skills to interact sensitively with patients.

Skills

Time management

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Education

Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care

Job description

Overview

If you’re looking for a role where you can make a difference every day, this could be the one for you. As a Bank Health Care Assistant on our IPU, you will work alongside registered nursing staff in the multi-disciplinary team, helping to provide holistic and person-centred care and support for patients with complex life-limiting illnesses.

Main duties of the job

You will have experience in delivering care in a clinical setting, alongside awareness of the complexities of working with individuals at times of distress and conflict. Some experience of working in specialist palliative care would be an advantage. You will work equally well on your own initiative, managing a delegated workload and escalating issues as appropriate, or co-operatively as part of the team. Your developed communication and interpersonal skills will also be essential to be effective in this role.

About us

ABOUT US

Hospiscare has been supporting people in Exeter, Mid and East Devon with terminal illnesses for over 40 years. Our services include support at home, a specialist palliative care ward, out-patients clinics, and supportive therapies.

We support close to 2,200 local people each year, in some of the hardest times possible. As a local charity, we raise around £10 million each year to continue to provide our care. Our staff, volunteers and supporters help us to care for people when they\'re most in need, no matter what their individual circumstances may be.

We\'re proud to be rated as \'five star\' by patients and families and as \'outstanding\' by the Care Quality Commission, to have been awarded a Mind Bronze Award for wellbeing at work and to be a Disability Confident employer.

Job responsibilities

Job Description

1. JOB DETAILS

Job Title: Health Care Assistant

Band: 3

Location: Searle House, Exeter EX2 5JJ

Hours: As on contract, including rotation to nights

Responsible To: Ward Manager

Responsible For: N/A

Accountable to: Head of Inpatient Services and ClinicalQuality

Team/Directorate: Inpatient Unit (IPU)

2. JOB PURPOSE

Towork within a multi-disciplinary team and alongside registered nursing staff todeliver a high standard of evidence-based specialist palliative care. To provide holistic and person-centred care and support for patients with complex life-limiting illnesses.

Key result areas / principal duties and responsibilities

3.1 Main Responsibilities

• Assist with the implementation of planned care for patients and those close to them under the supervision of registered colleagues to ensure a high standard of nursing care at all times.
• Assist in monitoring patients conditions on a continuous basis, in partnership with patients, families and carers, to ensure appropriate escalation to senior colleagues when required.
• Develop communication skills to interact with patients in a sensitive and professional manner in order to promote and maintain Hospiscare\'s values.
• Undertake completion of HCA competencies to deliver simple clinical observations and provide input to patient care plans.
• Assist in general housekeeping and monitoring of stock/supplies to ensure smooth running of the ward to a high standard.
• Adhere to Hospiscare\'s clinical recordkeeping policy when providing and sharing verbal, digital or written information and instructions, to ensure patient confidentiality is observed at all times.

Infection Prevention and Control

Maintaining a safe environment for patients, visitors and employees is everyone\'s responsibility. All staff are required to adhere to Hospiscare\'s Infection Prevention and Control Policy and make every effort to maintain high standards of infection prevention and control at all times. This includes ensuring personal and team compliance with all relevant policies and procedures, and acting upon or reporting any identified risks.

Disclosure and Barring Service

This role requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced level check with Adults and Children Barred Lists.

Key Contacts

Internal

Ward Manager
Inpatient Unit team
Medical team
Reception and Front of House team
Catering and Estates teams
Supportive Care team
Volunteers
Student Nurses and trainees

External

Patients and those close to them

Health & Safety

Ensure that Health and Safety guidelines and fire regulations are strictly adhered to. Comply with safe working practices as defined by Hospiscare. Complete online training as and when required. Take reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by acts or omissions at work. Report any accidents, incidents or near-misses as soon as reasonably practicable. Manage own work life balance and general wellbeing, including any relevant pressures in respect of lone working, travel, difficult environments and challenging situations.

General

Be aware of and adhere to Hospiscare policies and procedures at all times. Take part in progress/performance reviews throughout the year. Cooperate with other Hospiscare departments. Attend training courses and complete online training modules as required to meet the requirements of the post. Take responsibility for own personal development, seeking out opportunities to learn new skills. Undertake any other duties as requested by management which are reasonably deemed to be within the scope of the role.

3.5 Other

Apply the Hospiscare values and behaviours to every aspect of the role at all times. Promote and maintain the brand standards of Hospiscare.

Person Specification

Knowledge

• Awareness of delivering care in a clinical environment
• Awareness of the complexities of working with individuals at times of distress and conflict

Qualifications

• Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care or equivalent/related

Experience

• Demonstrable experience of care giving in the Acute Trust or Community Services
• Experience of working in specialist palliative care
• Experience of working with volunteers

Skills

• Developed time management skills, including the ability to prioritise own delegated workload.
• Developed communication and interpersonal skills

Personal attributes

• Ability to work autonomously and act on own initiative, seeking advice/escalating issues when appropriate
• Flexible and adaptable with the ability to respond positively in a rapidly changing environment.
• Team player
• Awareness of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in all areas of work

Additional requirements

• Able and willing to work at different Hospiscare locations on occasion

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.