Health Care Assistant

Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability; Greater London; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare facility in London is seeking a Health Care Assistant for its Ventilation Ward. This role involves assisting patients with personal hygiene, supporting those with complex mechanical ventilation needs, and effective communication with patients facing challenges due to brain injuries. Candidates should ideally have an NVQ Level 2 or 3, with at least 6 months of relevant experience. The position offers permanent full-time hours with rotating shifts.

Qualifications

• 6+ months experience in a relevant healthcare environment.
• Able to carry out manual handling tasks with complex care patients.
• Previous training in Positive Behaviour Support and PMVA techniques.

Responsibilities

• Assist patients with personal hygiene care.
• Support patients requiring complex mechanical ventilation.
• Communicate effectively with patients with complex needs.

Skills

Patient care assistance

Mobility support

Communication proficiency

Experience with complex ventilation requirements

Manual handling tasks

Education

NVQ Level 2 or 3 (Health Care)

Level 2 English & Maths

Job description

Health Care Assistant (Level 2/3) – Ventilation Ward

Department: Ventilation Ward | Location: Putney, Southwest London | Salary: £25,714–£28,296 per annum | Hours: 150 hours over 4 weeks (approx 37.5 hours/week) | Contract: Permanent full‑time, rotating day and night shifts | Closing Date: 26 January, interview February 6th

Main duties of the job

• Assist patients with all aspects of personal hygiene care: washing, bathing, dressing, continence and mouth care, enabling maximum independence.
• Work in a ventilation unit assisting patients requiring complex invasive mechanical ventilation support via a tracheostomy tube.
• Assist with mobility: hoisting, positioning and use of mobility aids.
• Support patients with eating and drinking tasks, including use of adapted feeding equipment, recording food and fluid intake, and feeding patients with impaired swallow function.
• Communicate proficiently with patients and others in challenging situations, supporting patients with complex communication needs and behavioural/emotional challenges resulting from brain injury.
• Participate fully in a 24 hour, 7 day week staff roster, including working bank holidays as required.

Qualifications and Experience Required

• NVQ Level 2 or 3 (Health Care) – desirable.
• At least 6 months’ experience in a relevant healthcare environment in ventilation – essential.
• Verbal and Numerical qualification (Level 2 English & Maths) – essential.
• Able to carry out manual handling tasks with patients that require complex care – essential.
• A health or social care related degree or equivalent qualification – desirable.
• Experience working with patients with complex ventilation requirements, including rehabilitation of people presenting with challenging behaviours (verbal and physical aggression, withdrawn behaviour, dis‑inhibition and impulsivity).
• Previous experience or related training in management of challenging behaviours, including de‑escalation, positive reinforcement and re‑direction.
• Previous experience or related training in Positive Behaviour Support and its guiding principles.
• Previous experience or related training in Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression (PMVA) and Breakaway techniques.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check for any previous criminal convictions.