Health Care Support Worker

Whittington Health NHS Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the UK is seeking a caring and motivated Senior Health Care Assistant for their Children's Ambulatory Unit. This role involves providing compassionate care to children and their families, supporting registered nurses in clinical duties, and maintaining high standards of hygiene. Candidates should have an NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent and be effective communicators. This position offers an opportunity to make a significant difference in children's lives.

Qualifications

• Minimum one year’s experience working with children and young people is required.
• Ability to work under supervision and independently using own initiative is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on care to children and families.
• Support Registered Nurses and healthcare team.
• Monitor and record patient observations including temperature, pulse, and blood pressure.

Skills

Good organisational skills

Good written and verbal communication skills in English

Able to communicate effectively with children and families

Basic computer and ICT skills

Experience of caring for children and young people

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent

Good level of general education

Job description

Job overview

We’re looking for a caring and motivated Senior Health Care Assistant to join our busy Children's Ambulatory Unit. You’ll support Registered Nurses in delivering safe, high-quality care to children and young people across the Paediatric Units, including Outpatient Clinic, Roses Day-Care, and Children's Ambulatory Unit (CAU).

What you’ll do:

• Provide compassionate, hands‑on care to children and their families
• Work closely with Registered Nurses and the wider healthcare team
• Support clinical and non‑clinical duties within the unit
• Complete in‑house HCA training and maintain competence

About you:

• NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care (or equivalent) or at least one year’s experience working with children and young people
• Team player with good communication skills and a caring approach

Join our supportive paediatric team and make a real difference to young patients’ lives.

👉 Apply today to become part of our dedicated team!

For further information please contact:

Haddy Colley‑Ward Manager 0207 288 5630 / 5017

Latefa Elwakili‑Sister 0207288 5630

Main duties of the job

The post holder will have an NVQ level 3 in care and/or have at least a year’s experience in working with children and young people. The post holder works as part of the unit's team under the supervision of registered nurses, participating in the delivery of patient care. The post holder will be expected to be self‑motivated and use their initiative when necessary. The post holder will undertake the hospital’s in‑house training for HCA’s and will maintain an agreed level of competence. The post holder is expected to work in different areas including the clinic, day‑care and CAU. It is expected that the post holder will be able to carry out all of the duties listed in the main section below. No duties are to be undertaken by the post holder unless they have received the appropriate training or instruction.

Working for our organisation

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

It is the aim of the Trust to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of sex, race, colour, nationality or ethnic origin, or is placed at the disadvantage by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justified. To this end the Trust has an Equal Opportunity Policy and it is for each employee to contribute to its success.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

The postholder will ensure that the agreed safety procedures are carried out and will be aware of the responsibilities placed on employees under the Health and Safety At Work Act. The postholder will maintain a safe environment for employees and visitors.

SECURITY

It is the responsibility of all employees to work within the security policies and procedures of The Whittington Hospital NHS Trust to protect the patients, staff and visitors and the property of the Trust. This duty applies both to the specific work area of the individual and to the hospital in general.

CONFIDENTIALITY

All information concerning patients / clients and staff must be treated as strictly confidential at all times.

CUSTOMER AWARESNESS

The Whittington Hospital expects its employees to communicate with colleagues, patients and visitors in a polite and courteous manner at all times.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Ø Acts as an advocate for child and family at all times.
• Ø Facilitates family centred care and provide information and support to families to enable them to continue to care for their child during the period of illness and hospitalisation.
• Ø Patients and families are to be treated with dignity, respect and discretion whilst maintaining their confidentiality.
• Ø Monitor and record observations on patients including temperature, pulse, respirations and oxygen saturations.
• Ø Monitor and record blood pressure.
• Ø To perform monitor and record Blood Sugars as required.
• Ø To carry out routine urine testing, record results and report any abnormalities. Send urine specimens as appropriate.
• Ø To escort patients to other departments throughout the hospital.
• Ø After undertaking basic life support training, summon help and assist the qualified nurse in an emergency.
• Ø To be able to deal with patients / families who have language barriers to enable understanding. Call interpreters as appropriate.
• Ø Nutrition: To deliver meals to patients and families as appropriate.
• Ø Assist in feeding patients as necessary.
• Ø Bottle / spoon feed babies as required.
• Ø Make up baby feeds as required.
• Ø Assess feeding requirements and report to dietician, breastfeeding counsellor and speech and language therapist as required.
• Ø Weigh and height children as required and document in child’s note and child health record.
• Ø Maintain nursing records in accordance with trust policy.
• Ø Complete all paperwork liaising and asking nursing staff for assistance as required.
• Ø All written documentation must be clear, legible and signed, dated and timed. All entries must be counter‑signed by a qualified member of staff.
• Ø To fill in fluid charts and observation charts as required.
• Ø Writing care plans using Clinical care guidelines after having teaching on care plans and been signed off as competent at writing care‑plans. All entries must be signed off by a qualified member of staff.
• Ø Infection Control: Be aware of and adhere to the Trust guidelines relating to Infection prevention and control.
• Ø Take steps to prevent cross infection by using universal precautions and hand hygiene. This includes wearing uniform in accordance with hospital policy and the use of spirigel appropriately.
• Ø Assist in keeping the ward clean and tidy in accordance to health and safety.
• Ø Bed linen to be changed daily. Beds, lockers bed tables and general bed areas to be cleaned thoroughly.
• Ø To follow the Trust policy on the safe disposal of sharps.
• Ø Communication: To be able to communicate effectively with patients, families and members of themultidisciplinary team as well as other Trust staff and the general public.
• Ø To answer the phone clearly and politely stating the ward name and who you are, and to relay all messages promptly and accurately.
• Ø To be willing to undergo computer training, and familiarise yourself with the trust computer systems.
• Ø Health and Safety: To be able to do monthly Health and Safety checks and liaise with ward manager doing so.
• Ø Report any accidents and incidents according to Trust Policy.
• Ø Nursing duties to be undertaken under the guidance of a qualified nurse.
• Ø To undertake shared responsibility for delivering and maintaining a high standard of hygiene care to children. Reporting to the qualified nurse any changes in the child’s condition.
• Ø To carry out weighing and heighting and recording this accurately in notes and child held record.
• Ø Taking and recording observations as directed by a qualified nurse.
• Ø Obtaining, testing and labelling routine specimens as directed by a qualified nurse.
• Ø To be aware of the emotional and physical needs of children whilst in hospital and to provide appropriate support in conjunction with and under the supervision of a qualified nurse.
• Ø To be aware of the needs of the families / carers and other visitors.
• Ø To be aware of the importance of infection control and take steps to prevent cross infection.
• Ø To actively participate in family centred care such that all direct nursing duties should be shared with parents if they so wish.
• Ø To maintain accurate and legible records of care given under the supervision of a qualified nurse.
• Ø To report any incident to the nurse in charge or ward manager.

Additional duties and responsibilities

• Making and cleaning of beds, couches, desks and clinic rooms
• Ensuring that the immediate child’s environment is safe, clean and orderly.
• Maintaining the general tidiness and neatness of all areas, being aware of safe requirements.
• Maintaining unit stock at agreed levels, checking and emptying supplies, restocking, cleaning and tidying storage areas e.g. linen, equipment and treatment rooms.
• Answer the telephone, taking messages, dealing with enquiries or referring the caller on to qualified staff as necessary.
• Run errands for staff.

Person specification

Education / Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Good level of general education

Desirable criteria

• Training in health care
• Food hygiene
• National Vocational Qualification level II training in health care

Skills & abilities

Essential criteria

• Good organisational skills
• Good written and verbal communication skills in the English language.
• Able to communicate effectively with children and families.
• Basic computer and ICT skills.
• Able to work both under supervision and independently using own initiative.
• Ability to prioritise workload.
• Experience of caring for CYP.
• Able to work both under supervision and independently using own initiative.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working in a health care Setting.

Knowledge & experience

Essential criteria

• Knowledge of personal care needs of infants and children and related procedures.
• Knowledge of the normal needs of children and families.
• Awareness of normal child behaviour and development.
• Understanding of the need for confidentiality and the Data Protection act.

Personal qualities

Essential criteria

• Flexible, enthusiastic, honest, reliable and calmness.
• Good attendance record.
• Interest in children and young people.
• Tactful and compassionate.

Safeguarding children and adults

To comply with the Trust’s Safeguarding Children and Adults policies , procedures and protocols. All individual members of staff (paid or unpaid) have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults This will require you to :

• Ensure you are familiar with and comply with the London Child Protection Procedures and protocols for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people.
• Ensure you are familiar and comply with the London Multi Agency Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Pan London Procedures.
• Ensure you are familiar and comply with local protocols and systems for information sharing.
• Know the appropriate contact numbers and required reporting lines.
• Participate in required training and supervision.
• Comply with required professional boundaries and codes of conduct.

Whittington Health is committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.