Health Care Assistant - Neighbourhood Nursing Service

Integrated Care System; Barnsley; Hybrid; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Barnsley is seeking a Health Care Assistant to provide care and support to patients in their own homes, helping them manage health conditions and maintain independence. The role involves flexibility with a seven-day shift pattern, promoting compassionate care and teamwork. Applicants should have relevant experience and be dedicated to improving the wellbeing of service users.

Qualifications

• Experience providing care to those with health and social needs.
• Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Willingness to undertake further training.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality care to patients in their own homes.
• Support patients in managing long-term health conditions.
• Maintain therapeutic relationships with service users.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Ability to work flexibly

Experience in personal care

Teamwork

Empathy

Education

GCSE A-D in Maths and English

NVQ level 3 in Health & Social Care

Care Certificate

Job description

Go back South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Health Care Assistant - Neighbourhood Nursing Service

The closing date is 13 August 2025

Wehave an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic, motivated Band 3 Health CareAssistant to work within our Neighbourhood Nursing Service (NNS) alsosupporting Virtual Ward referrals throughout the Barnsley area.

VirtualWards enable people to be supported in their own home or place of residence, asan alternative to hospital admission or to support earlier discharge fromhospital

NNSis responsible for delivering nursing care to housebound patients, whichincludes wound management, chronic disease management, promotion of self-careand terminal/palliative care

The successful applicant will haveexperience of providing care & related procedures to those with health &social needs

If you possess excellent communication skills, have the ability to workflexibly & autonomously, this opportunity could be for you!

You will have the skills to work acrossboth our planned nursing & crisis pathways, & be expected to workacross a seven-day week shift pattern including weekends & bank holidays.

Visasponsorship under the Health and Care Worker visa route can only be consideredif the prorated salary meets the minimum threshold of £25,000, as required bythe UK Visas and Immigration. For Band 3 roles, only full-time positions at thetop of the pay scale meet this threshold. Therefore, sponsorship may not bepossible depending on salary increment placement and working hours.

Main duties of the job

You will:

Contribute to the care planning process & providehigh standards of safe & compassionate care

Havethe flexibility & skill set to work across planned & crisis pathways,supporting patients to remain well in their own homes, or long-term place ofresidence and / or prevent hospital admission

Develop & maintain meaningful therapeuticrelationships with people & ensure the care experienced is positive &service user safety is maintained

Attend to service users personal care needs, which mayinvolves undertaking physical aspect e.g., moving & handling of serviceuser

Apply your knowledge of long-term health conditions inorder to provide advice/support

Exercise a degree of independence, under supervision,using your initiative & judgment when delivering tasks

Participatein training/education & clinical supervision to develop skills &knowledge, apply continuous reflection on own practice

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to befully vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect patients.

We are aware that an increasing number of applicants areusing AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. Westrongly discourage this and will conduct a thorough screening process beforeselecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI toenhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs applicationform.

About us

Weare a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental healthand learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale,Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and arethe lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission isto help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do thisby providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employstaff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make adifference to the lives of service users, families and carers.

We encourageand welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we valuediversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Beinga foundation Trust means were accountable to ourmembers, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people(including staff) are members of our Trust.

Joinus and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improvingthe mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet andhelp each year.

Weare committedto safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people andvulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share thiscommitment.

We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Job responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY

The post holder will:

Under thesupervision/direction of registered health care professionals/associatepractitioner, within a delegated framework for agreed tasks, seek support asand when necessary, in the delivery of physical care to a defined group ofpeople.

Have the flexibility and skill set, with appropriatetraining, to work across planned and crisis pathways supporting patients toremain well in their own homes, or long-term place of residence and / orprevent hospital admission

As part of a healthcareteam, provide the highest standards of safe and compassionate planned care topeople that maximises their recovery and rehabilitation potential.

Develop and maintainmeaningful therapeutic relationships with people. Adopt a polite, positive andempathetic approach, communicating effectively and informatively.

Demonstrate anunderstanding of the care and treatment programmes of a designated group ofservice users to enable you to instruct, advise & guide service users,family and carers. To make the appropriate adjustments independently within ownlevel of competence and be able to communicate any changes to service users andregistered health care professionals.

Be required to concentratefor periods of time, depending upon the care intervention/care plan eg,following the observation policy, taking, recording of physical observationsetc, and responding to issues of concern appropriately. This may include areasof work requiring physical effort, with regard to risk, health & safety.

Exercise a degree ofindependence, initiative and judgement and consider different approaches whendelivering tasks. Assess situations, identify and resolve potential problems,within own levels of competence.

Ensure the careexperienced is positive and service user safety is maintained. Treat everyoneeg, service users, their relatives, visitors, colleagues etc, with respect,dignity, courtesy and in accordance with the Trusts Values.

Contribute to the careplanning process. Understand the principles underlying care planning eg,enabling the service user to reach an optimum level of functioning/independence/recovery.

Implement care withinwell-established policies, procedures, protocols, guidelines and establishedclinical care plans. Organise a range of activities e.g., facilitate meaningfulactivities for individuals or small groups.

Apply knowledge of longer-termhealth conditions e.g., Diabetes, Obesity, smoking cessation etc, providingadvice and support.

Undertake the physicalaspects of care e.g., moving and handling of service users. Use items ofequipment in delivering care e.g., hoists, wheelchairs etc. (as appropriate tothe role), ensuring appropriate instruction on their use has been received.

Assist in dealing withverbal/physical aggression using de-escalation techniques, this may include theneed for restraint and/or seclusion (as appropriate to the role)

Attend to the serviceusers personal care needs as required

Participate in a flexiblerostering arrangement providing 24-hour/7-day care (as appropriate to the role)

Work in an integrated andpartnership way with primary, secondary, social care, the independent andvoluntary sector and others to improve the health and care of individuals,families and communities, particularly the most vulnerable;

KEY RESULT AREAS:

To deliver excellentlevels of customer services to people. Assess, problem solve or report, in atimely and proactive manner, when these standards have not been met.

Work with a degree ofindependence within defined parameters, as directed by a registered health careprofessional (or associate practitioner if part of the team).

Prioritise own tasks,exercising initiative and judgement in response to peoples needs. Refer andseek guidance/supervision on issues outside of post holders level of competencyor authority to more senior health care professionals.

Contribute to the initialassessment/admission/discharge process and formulation/implementation ofindividualised packages of care to help maximise service userrecovery/rehabilitation potential.

Act as a link orassociate link for a specific area of practice.

Clearly, accurately andcontemporaneously, contribute to care documents, report observations and otherservice user information, in written and electronic format. Demonstratecompetent IT skills, accurate data inputting and use of the internet.

Accurately recordclinical measurements and physical observations, which may include: monitoringof blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respiration, weight etc, and handlespecimens of bodily fluids. Identify potential risks and respond appropriately.

Contribute to ensuringservice user needs are met eg, emotional, personal, basic wound care, dietary,environmental etc, ensuring their privacy, dignity, rights and choices aremaintained at all times. Support individuals to self-manage their own healthand social wellbeing and promote individuals positive self-esteem and sense ofidentity.

Participate in themanagement and support of individuals who exhibit challenging behaviour orpresent a significant imminent risk to themselves or others. Recognise and respond to changes in theirpresentation, including reporting the issue to a registered health carepractitioner/associate practitioner as required. Respond appropriately to anyemergency situation.

Participate in supportiveobservation/interventions minimising the negative effects of disruptive/abusivebehaviour, or in the prevention and management of violence and aggression(PMVA). Utilise de-escalation and physical control techniques as necessary.Taking reasonable steps to protect themselves from the risk of violence.

If appropriate to therole, when directed and risk assessed by a health care practitioner,accompany/escort service users within/outside Trust grounds. Apply careprinciples to enable service user to meet maximum level of independence.

Ensure action to reducerisks to health and safety and all possible steps are taken in identifying,managing and reporting risks, to help safeguard the welfare, safety andsecurity of people, eg, children, service users, visitors and staff. Contributeto the reduction of hazards in the environment, considering safety, security,theft or damage.

Use effectiveverbal/written communication at all times, incorporating tact, empathy,consideration, courtesy and confidentiality. Adapt style of communication torespond to service user communication difficulties and psychological, social,physical and spiritual needs.

Work with sensitivity andan understanding of the issues experienced by service users.

Ensure moving andhandling of people/loads is carried out in a safe and effective manner, inaccordance with policy and training, as directed by a registered health careprofessional/associate practitioner.

Work in a flexible andcollaborative manner with others. Adapting to the needs of the service, despitemany demands on attention.

Understand the roles andcontributions of other care providers in and outside of the team, enablingthose who are significant to the service user to play an active role in theircare.

Support the Trustsculture of commitment to delivering quality services and outcomes.

Maintain and continuouslyimprove knowledge & understanding of health & social care services;including systems, policy, and current issues, particularly with regard to ownarea of work and service users.

Make use of opportunitiesfor sharing good practice and learning.

Proactively identifyadditional activities in accordance with the role, which would increase postholder efficiency and the efficiency of the team; offer suggestions forimprovement and implement these activities in agreement with the team.

Undertake any additionalduties deemed appropriate to the role.

Work inpartnership with individuals, formal and informal carers and other services topromote the concept of self- and patient led care where possible, providingappropriate education and support to maximise the individuals independence andunderstanding of their condition(S) in achieving health outcomes.

Contribute to public health initiatives andsurveillance, working from an assets-based approach that enables and supportspeople to maximise their health and well-being at home, increasing theirself-efficacy and contributing to community developments.

1.2 Workingas part of a Team:

Work within otherclinical areas as the clinical situation and staffing levels require.

As part of a team,deliver person centred care whilst meeting the service standards andobjectives.

Provide and receiveservice user information using tact, reassurance, empathy and persuasive skillsas required.

Participate in ward ordepartmental/team meetings and offer suggestions for quality improvement.

Contribute to, and makesuggestions about projects, including audit and quality initiatives pertinentto the role.

Contribute to theachievement/improvement of service/quality standards.

Be competent in using andensure the proper use of equipment eg, hoists, wheelchairs, Trust materials,equipment, property and resources.

Actively engage in goodteam working to facilitate effective relationships with all health careprofessionals.

For full details of the role please see the supporting documents attached.

Person Specification

Physical Attributes

• A satisfactory sickness record over previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).
• Able to fulfil Occupational Health requirements for the post (with reasonable adjustments if necessary).

Personal Attributes

• Responsive attitude and approach.
• Dress appropriately for the environment.
• A current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability).

Qualifications

• GCSE A-D or grade 3-9 in Maths and English or equivalent.
• Apprenticeship level 3 or equivalent eg, RQF(regulated Qualification Framework)NVQ level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent.
• Or, level 2 qualification with the ability to demonstrate competencies at level 3.
• Care Certificate or required to achieve within 12 weeks of commencement.
• Level 4 units in Health & Social Care.
• Experience of the speciality area.
• Willingness to undertake further study towards level 4 qualification.

Special Knowledge/Skills

• As appropriate to the role:
• Demonstrates excellent customer care skills;
• Enthusiastic, able to work flexibly on a 24hr shift pattern to meet the needs of service users;
• Demonstrates safe decision making skills commensurate with role;
• Knows responsibilities regarding confidentiality and trust;
• Resilience to pressure and exposure to emotional, distressing or hazardous situations eg, verbal aggression, body fluids, etc;
• Non-judgemental, empathetic manner;
• Demonstrates Trust Values;
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Good administration and organisational skills;
• Able to use observation skills to identify potential services user, environmental etc. risks and act appropriately;
• Able to fulfil the requirements of the value based induction.
• Language skills other than English.
• Experience of supervising/inducting others.

Training

• Must be willing/able to undertake all appropriate Trust mandatory training requirements, and subsequent refresher training relevant to the area.
• Must be willing/able to undergo job development and training.
• Demonstrate excellent knowledge of service user safety, eg, Prevention & management of violence & aggression, moving and handling, etc.

Experience

• In providing personal care and related procedures for those with health/social needs.
• In working in a caring environment at a band 2 or equivalent level of competence.
• In dealing with the public.
• In working as an effective team member.
• Of demonstrating own duties.
• Ability to work effectively, professionally and independently or as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• In demonstrating initiative, decision-making and prioritisation skills.
• Evidence of a commitment to user/carer involvement.

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.

Employer name

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust