Health Care Assistant - Respiratory

NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Liverpool is hiring a Band 3 Healthcare Assistant for Ward 22. Responsibilities include supporting patient care, conducting clinical observations, and aiding nursing staff. Candidates should have experience at NVQ level 2 and be willing to pursue NVQ level 3. This full-time role offers a salary of £24,937 – £26,598. Apply today to join our dedicated team in providing high-quality care.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Healthy work-life balance

Qualifications

• Willingness and capability to undertake NVQ level 3.
• Demonstrable experience in a hospital setting at NVQ level 2.
• Reputation for high standards of patient care.

Responsibilities

• Assist in patient care, including personal hygiene and mobility maintenance.
• Conduct clinical observations and document in nursing records.
• Support new and junior staff, promote effective communication.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Ability to develop effective relationships

Basic computer skills

Education

NVQ level 3

Experience at NVQ level 2

Job description

Band 3 Healthcare Assistant – Ward 22

Location: Aintree University Hospital, Liverpool. Contract: Permanent. Hours: Full‑time (37.5 hours per week – days and nights). Salary: £24,937 – £26,598 per annum. Closing date: 19/11/2025 23:59.

Job Overview

Join our dedicated team caring for acute, weaning and chronic respiratory patients. You will support the registered nursing team to deliver holistic care on a 36‑bedded ward, managing conditions such as COPD, asthma, pleural effusions, and bronchiectasis.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in patient care, including personal hygiene, toileting, incontinence support, dietary intake recording, and mobility maintenance.
• Conduct clinical observations (vital signs, oxygen saturation, peak flow, blood glucose, venepuncture) and document in nursing records.
• Perform wound and pressure area care, cannulation and catheter removal, nasogastric feeding, and basic clinic support.
• Prepare patients for treatments and investigations, escort to other departments, and provide verbal handover to the registered nurse.
• Ensure safe disposal of medical waste and adherence to Trust policies and procedures.
• Support new and junior staff, promote effective communication, and contribute to team management of aggressive or abusive behaviour.

Clinical Responsibilities (Detailed)

• Participate in all aspects of patient care with particular attention to personal hygiene and grooming.
• Provision of patients’ toileting needs, ensuring privacy and dignity is maintained.
• Support patients in managing incontinence and promotion of continence.
• Record a patient’s fluid intake and output using fluid balance charts.
• Prepare and serve patients’ meals, drinks and snacks; assist/ feed patients as necessary.
• Record dietary intake when indicated in the patient’s plan of care.
• Enable patients to maintain/improve mobility by use of exercise and mobility appliances.
• Prevent pressure sore development as directed by the registered nurse.
• Carry out movement and handling within safe practice guidelines.
• Obtain specimens for laboratory testing.
• Remove cannulae, catheters and nasogastric tubes.
• Undertake dressing of non‑complex wounds according to competency.
• Prepare and maintain environments for clinical treatments and investigations.
• Prepare patients for treatments, investigations or procedures.
• Collect blood products from the laboratory as requested.
• Chaperone and escort patients to clinical departments.
• Assist registered nurse in performing last offices.
• Record vital signs, oxygen saturation, and peak flow; monitor blood glucose and perform venepuncture on direction.
• Document care in patient records and ensure counter‑signing by the responsible registered nurse.
• Initiate basic life support techniques when appropriate.
• Contribute to development of Essence of Care and benchmarking.
• Provide a verbal handover of patient care.
• Respect customs, values, and spiritual beliefs of patients and carers.

General Duties

• Promote effective communication within the multidisciplinary team.
• Manage aggressive and abusive behaviour.
• Prepare beds, maintain clean linen, and handle bed making protocols.
• Clear and clean vacated beds and wards.
• Prepare linen bags for collection and ensure adequate supplies.
• Assist in maintaining a clean and safe environment.
• Dispose of clinical waste and sharps safely.
• Follow reporting procedures for clinical incidents.
• Attend to visitors and patients, especially those distressed or bereaved.
• Care for patients’ property in accordance with policy.
• Obtain demographic details and social history to assist admission.
• Support new and junior staff.

Clerical Duties

• Support the ward clerk with reception, telephone duties, and basic computer tasks.
• Obtain case notes, x‑rays, and perform filing.
• Act as messenger as required.
• Complete maintenance and repair forms.
• Monitor and maintain adequate stock levels of stationery, ward provisions, and linens; requisition as necessary.

Person Specification

• Qualifications: Willingness and capability to undertake NVQ level 3.
• Experience: Demonstrable experience in a hospital setting at NVQ level 2.
• Knowledge: Reputation for high standard of patient care.
• Skills: Excellent communication skills; ability to develop effective relationships; basic computer skills.
• Other: Supportive of colleagues and patients.

Employment and Benefits

All employees are subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) and must comply with the Trust’s safeguarding and DBS policies. The Trust offers flexible working arrangements from day one and promotes a healthy work‑life balance.

Equality, Diversity & Safeguarding

The Trust is committed to equality and diversity, and we encourage applications from under‑represented groups: black, Asian, minority ethnic, LGBTQ+, disabled, and young people aged 16‑24. All staff must adhere to the Trust’s safeguarding policies for children and adults.

Application Process

To apply, send your CV and cover letter via the internal application portal. Ensure you check your email (including spam) regularly for updates regarding your application.