Care Assistant - Complex Care

Teamdash; Hatching Green; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Enhanced bank holiday pay

Staff training and development

Referral bonuses

Job summary

Harmony Healthcare is seeking a compassionate Healthcare Assistant to join a 24/7 nurse-led 2:1 complex care team for a 5-year-old in their family home. The role involves ventilatory support, tracheostomy and PEG care, medication administration and safe transfer using hoists.

Expect 08:00–20:00 days and 20:00–08:00 nights, 7 days a week. Competitive pay, training and DBS checks are part of the package.

Qualifications

• Experience in complex care and supporting children with complex clinical needs
• 2:1 care experience in a nurse-led setting
• Ventilatory support via tracheostomy and related care
• Tracheostomy and stoma care; PEG site management and suctioning

Responsibilities

• Support continuous ventilatory care for the child with a tracheostomy.
• Perform tracheostomy care including suctioning, humidification and routine changes.
• Monitor oxygen saturation and ventilator alarms; respond to airway emergencies.
• Assist with PEG administration of nutrition, fluids and medications.
• Support transfers using hoists and sliding sheets; ensure safe handling.

Skills

Tracheostomy care

Ventilatory care

PEG feeding

Medication administration

Manual handling

Pediatric complex care

Emergency response

Tools

Ventilator equipment

Hoists

Job description

Location: Harpenden, AL5
Role: Complex Care Healthcare Assistant (HCA)
Rate: £15.20 per hour PAYE – flat rate for days and nights, Monday to Sunday, including holiday pay

At Harmony Healthcare, we believe exceptional care is delivered by exceptional people. We are seeking a compassionate, reliable, and dedicated Healthcare Assistant to provide high-quality support to a child in their home. Your care will enable them to live safely, confidently, and with dignity in their own home.

This is a meaningful 2:1 role where you can genuinely see the impact of the support you provide.
Shift Pattern:

Days: 08:00 – 20:00

Nights: 20:00 – 08:00

7 days a week

About the Role:

We are looking for a compassionate, dedicated and experienced Female Healthcare Assistant to join our complex care team, supporting a 5-year-old child in their family home.

This is a 24/7 nurse-led, 2:1 care package, with the HCA working alongside the nurse to provide safe, consistent and high-quality care.

The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting the child's clinical, personal and emotional needs, while promoting comfort, dignity and wellbeing within a child-centred environment.

Essential Experience & Skills:

Candidates must have relevant experience in complex care and be confident supporting children with complex clinical needs, including:

24/7 nurse-led care and 2:1 support

Children's care experience

Ventilatory support via tracheostomy

Tracheostomy and stoma care

Cough assist

PEG feeding

Medication administration

Manual handling and use of hoists

Emergency airway management

Monitoring respiratory status and ventilator alarms

Pressure area care and repositioning

Clinical & Care Responsibilities:

Working alongside the nurse, you will support with:

Continuous ventilatory support via tracheostomy, using wet and dry circuits as appropriate

Tracheostomy care, including suctioning, humidification, stoma care, routine tube changes and daily tie changes

Monitoring oxygen saturation, work of breathing and ventilator alarms

Responding promptly to airway emergencies, including blockage, accidental decannulation and desaturation, including bag-valve-mask support where required

Cough assist, nebulisation and positioning to support ventilation and secretion clearance

Monitoring for autonomic dysregulation and changes in heart rate, blood pressure and perfusion

Repositioning and pressure area care

PEG administration of nutrition, fluids and medication

Encouraging oral intake and drinking as tolerated

Monitoring for feeding intolerance, aspiration risk, reflux and PEG-site complications

Accurate fluid balance and weight monitoring

Full assistance with transfers using hoists, sliding sheets and wheelchair equipment

Careful handling due to osteoporosis and immobility

Indwelling catheter management and monitoring for infection, blockage and other complications

Use of pressure-relieving equipment and sleep systems

Strict aseptic technique for tracheostomy, PEG and catheter care

Monitoring for respiratory, urinary and device-related infections

Medication administration in accordance with the prescribed drug chart

Immediate escalation of any clinical concerns or deterioration

Child-Centred Care:

The child enjoys purple, Mini Cooper cars and Disney, especially The Lion King.

A consistent, calm and compassionate approach is essential. The successful candidate will provide trauma-informed, child-centred care, recognising the child's individual emotional needs and the importance of familiar and consistent caregivers.

The family will be welcoming a puppy (dog) into the home, so candidates should be comfortable working in a household with a dog.

Who We're Looking For:

We are looking for someone who is:

Compassionate and patient

Reliable and committed to continuity of care

Confident working with children with complex clinical needs

Comfortable working as part of a nurse-led 2:1 team

Experienced in tracheostomy and ventilatory care

Confident with manual handling and clinical equipment

Able to recognise and escalation changes in the child's condition

Calm and responsive in emergency situations

Committed to providing safe, dignified and child-centred care

Why Work with Harmony Healthcare:

We prioritise your wellbeing, development and long-term success. When you join us, you become part of a supportive, values-driven organisation committed to helping you grow.

You can expect:

Competitive pay with enhanced bank holiday rates

Full specialist clinical training

Regular, consistent shifts

Monthly staff recognition and reward programmes

Opportunities for professional development and progression

A collaborative team who value you as an individual

Our staff stay with us because they feel supported, valued and part of something meaningful.

Our Values:

At Harmony Healthcare, we recruit based on empathy, emotional intelligence and a genuine passion for making a difference — not just qualifications.
If you share our values of dignity, inclusion and respect, we will support you to thrive.

Compliance Requirements:

All roles are subject to enhanced DBS checks, reference checks, Right to Work verification and full CQC/Schedule 3-compliant onboarding.

Referral Bonus:

£150 for every Healthcare Assistant you refer

£250 for every Registered Nurse you refer

Paid once your referral completes 150 hours.

About Us

Envisioning Wellness Together

At Harmony Healthcare, we are more than just a care provider; we are a beacon of hope, understanding, and rejuvenation for those in the grip of complex health challenges. Founded on the principles of compassion, commitment, and cutting-edge care, our mission is to seamlessly blend expertise and empathy, resulting in the highest standard of personalised care.

With years of dedicated service in the complex care arena, Harmony Healthcare has carved a niche for itself as a trusted partner in health and recovery. Our journey began with a simple aspiration: to transform lives, heal communities, and redefine standards in patient-centered care.

The Harmony Difference

Our strength lies in the heartbeats and hands of our dedicated professionals. Every member of the Harmony family—from our certified caregivers and skilled nurses to our administration and support teams is aligned with our core values:

Personalised Approach: Recognising the uniqueness of every individual, we curate tailored care plans to meet specific needs, ensuring optimum outcomes.

Innovation: We are committed to delivering innovative solutions that enhance care quality and patient experiences.

Empathy and Respect: Every individual in our care is treated with the utmost dignity, understanding their needs and feelings, and fostering a nurturing environment.

Need more info?

Our Recruitment Team are here to answer your questions.

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