Health Care Assistant - Spinal Injuries

NHS; Sefton; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in England is seeking enthusiastic Health Care Assistants to join their team. You will play a vital role in supporting the rehabilitation of patients with spinal cord injuries. Candidates should be committed to providing high-quality patient care and possess strong communication skills. Training will be provided for those without prior experience. Flexibility in working hours is necessary.

Qualifications

• Willingness to undertake NVQ level 2 or equivalent.
• Basic Literacy and Numeracy skills.
• Knowledge of personal care.
• Experience of working in a team.

Responsibilities

• Assist patients with bathing and dressing.
• Help with meal provision and nutritional needs.
• Report any changes to the Registered Nurse.
• Conduct manual handling procedures.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Teamwork

Basic IT skills

Education

NVQ Level 2 in Healthcare or equivalent

Job description

Job summary: An opportunity has arisen for enthusiastic and motivated individuals to join our friendly, caring team at the North West Regional Spinal Injuries Centre at Southport District General Hospital.

We are looking for caring and committed individuals who would like to develop their knowledge and skills within this challenging and rewarding environment. The ability to deal supportively with people of all ages and backgrounds, along with their families, in a period of unprecedented change is essential.

Communication skills and the ability to work as part of a multi-professional team are critical to the success of the role.

Previous experience of working within an acute hospital setting would be desirable but not essential as training will be provided. You should have completed NVQ Level 2 in Healthcare / Care Certificate or equivalent or be undertaking the course with completion expected within 6 months of taking up post.

Main duties of the job

There is currently a 12-hour rotational shift pattern with the opportunity for shorter shifts to ensure availability of staff throughout the 24-hour period. Staff are expected to be flexible as internal rotation between day and night duty is in operation and weekend working is to be expected.

The Health Care Assistant role at the North West Regional Spinal Injuries Centre is a key part of the multi-professional team & vital in supporting the rehabilitation process for patients with spinal cord injury.

The role involves providing direct care on a daily basis to ensure patients are able to achieve their goals for personal hygiene, eating & drinking, skin care & mobilising in a wheelchair.

The Centre comprises of 43 Inpatient beds, including up to 9 Acute & Respiratory Care beds. In addition, we have developed an Outreach Service that currently offers 8 beds in a community setting.

We provide acute care and rehabilitation services for individuals who have experienced a spinal cord lesion due to trauma or other mechanism.

There is an extensive rehabilitation service provided by a comprehensive Multi-Professional team with dedicated rehabilitation & therapy facilities within the department, including a fully equipped Gym, Hydrotherapy pool, Gait Orthosis equipment and Occupational Therapy assessment / treatment area.

About us

The Secretary of State has approved the partnership between St Helens & Knowsley Teaching Hospitals and Southport & Ormskirk Hospitals.

From 1st July we have come together as a single organisation under the name Mersey & West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

The Trust delivers acute hospital care, intermediate care, community, and primary care services to a population of over 600,000 people with a combined workforce of around 9000 dedicated and skilled staff from 17 locations including Whiston, Southport & Formby, St Helens, Ormskirk and Newton hospitals.

The Trust provides regional services for burns, plastic surgery and spinal injuries to more than 4 million people across Mersey and West Lancashire, Cheshire, the Isle of Man and North Wales.

Our Vision is to deliver 5 Star Patient Care:

• CARE that is evidence-based, high quality and compassionate
• SAFETY that is of the highest standards
• COMMUNICATION that is open, inclusive and respectful
• SYSTEMS that are efficient, patient-centred and reliable
• PATHWAYS that are best practice and embedded, but also respect the individual needs of patients

Our achievements include:

• Trust rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
• Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
• Awarded National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for our Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme

Job responsibilities

Bed bathing / showering patients.

Assisting with elimination needs including transfer to & from shower chairs.

Assisting patients to dress & undress.

Frequent manual handling procedures such as repositioning in bed, hoisting from bed to chair & back, use of slide boards to transfer from bed to chair & back.

Assisting with meal provision & nutritional / hydration needs.

Reporting any changes to the Registered Nurse & ensuring appropriate documentation is completed in a timely manner i.e. repositioning schedules, food charts, intentional rounding charts.

Please note this vacancy may close early upon receipt of sufficient applications

PREVIOUS APPLICANTS WITHIN THE PAST 6 MONTHS NEED NOT APPLY

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential:

• Willingness to undertake NVQ level 2 or equivalent
• Basic Literacy and Numeracy skills

Desirable:

• NVQ level 2 in Healthcare
• Care Certificate

Knowledge & Experience

Essential:

• Knowledge of personal care
• Experience of working in a team

Desirable:

• Previous experience in a care assistant role

Physical effort

Essential:

• Frequent periods of physical effort e.g turning, moving, using aids, assisting in personal care
• Occasional requirement for concentration, with few competing demands for attention.

Skills & abilities

Essential:

• Ability to communicate both verbal & written
• Good interpersonal skills
• Able to work within a team
• Flexible in working hours
• Able to accept direction and guidance
• Aware of own limitations
• Able to prioritise own workload and manage time effectively
• Flexible, adaptable and responsive to change
• Reliable and professional
• Ability to cope in stressful and challenging situations
• Inclusive and non-judgmental
• Punctual, motivated and committed
• Effective role model demonstrating Trust values
• Basic IT skills

Working conditions

Essential:

• Frequent exposure to unpleasant conditions, bodily fluids, smells, vomit, emptying catheter bags

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.