Health care support worker (HCSW)

NHS; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Plymouth is seeking a Health Care Support Worker to provide essential personal care to patients and assist Registered Practitioners in delivering quality healthcare. The role involves following care plans, participating in basic patient assessments, and ensuring a clean and safe environment. Ideal candidates will have a Level 2 QCF Diploma and compassion for patient care. This position allows for career development in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Career development opportunities

Training provided for core skills

Support in obtaining a Care Certificate

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in a healthcare or social setting required.
• Ability to maintain accurate documentation and communication.
• Committed to a caring approach towards patients and relatives.

Responsibilities

• Provide personal care to patients under supervision.
• Follow individual patient care plans and report changes to practitioners.
• Support with toileting, bathing, and dressing tasks.

Skills

Time management

Effective communication

Compassionate care

Education

Level 2 QCF Diploma in Clinical Healthcare Support

GCSE A*-D in English Language or equivalent

GCSE A*-D in Mathematics or equivalent

Job description

The Health Care Support Worker (HCSW) is part of the multidisciplinary team delivering personal care to patients and supporting Registered Practitioners to deliver high quality, compassionate care. Support and supervision is provided by Registered Practitioners.

You will carry out a range of non-clinical healthcare tasks, under the direct supervision of the Registered Practitioner. To achieve this the HCSW will competently perform the necessary aspects of care for patients, to agreed quality standards and in accordance with Trust values. There will be opportunities to develop your knowledge and skills, specific to your needs. Training will be provided to ensure you have the required core skills for a Band 2 HCSW in your area of work. You will also be supported to obtain a Care Certificate if not already achieved.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Main duties of the job

• Participate in basic patient assessment whilst providing personal care and reporting back to the Registered Practitioner to ensure high standards of care.
• Follow all Trust policies and provide a safe and person-centred environment for the treatment of patients.
• Participate in personal and practice development activities to maintain standards of care.

About us

We are a people business – where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.

If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100.

We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams.

It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Job responsibilities

1. Develop the skills to obtain consent prior to giving care in accordance with Trust policies.
2. Under supervision follow individual patient care plans and report any changes immediately to the Registered Practitioner.
3. Demonstrate care and compassion to patients, carers, and relatives to help ensure high-quality person-centred patient care is delivered at all times.
4. Undertake basic patient assessment whilst providing personal care and feeding back to the Registered Practitioner to ensure high standards of care, in particular relating to skin integrity and the alertness of the patient.
5. Practice safe standards of care to patients following Trust guidelines and policies and be able to concentrate for periods throughout the day with occasional interruptions.
6. Ensure care is given in accordance with the infection prevention and health and safety policies and procedures.
7. Ensure that the patient’s bed space is clean, tidy, and accessible and that the person has what they need within easy reach.
8. Develop the skills to actively facilitate self-care and independence with patients.
9. Undertake personal care duties.
10. Support with toileting, bathing, dressing, and feeding. Recording oral fluid balance and nutrition.
11. Promote health education specific to the clinical area and in line with national and local policies.
12. Develop the skills to maintain effective record keeping and communication with patients, relatives, and members of the Multidisciplinary team regarding all aspects of care demonstrating a range of appropriate communication skills, where there may be barriers to understanding.
13. Ensure that equipment and stores are well maintained, taking appropriate action if the equipment is faulty.
14. Work effectively as part of a team.
15. The HCSW is responsible for inputting information into the electronic patient record where applicable and also into patients written records. Comply with all relevant legislation and local policies regarding confidentiality and access to medical records.

For further details please see attached JD&PS.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• oTraining and qualifications are provided to enable the HCSW to comply with mandatory HCSW standards where you will obtain either: Vocational Qualification at Level 2 or equivalent relevant demonstrable experience. Note that if you are new to care, training will be provided to NVQ Level 2 or equivalent.
• oLevel 2 QCF Diploma in Clinical Healthcare support or oLevel 2 NVQ in Healthcare Health & Social Care or oLevel 2 in Health & Social Care (NVQ, QCF, RQF) or GCSE A*- D in English Language, or equivalent (e.g. Certificate in Adult Literacy at Level 1) or GCSE A* - D, or equivalent in Mathematics (e.g. Certificate in Adult Numeracy at Level 1)

Knowledge & Experience

• oDemonstrable experience of time management and prioritising work
• oUnderstands and committed to a caring approach to patients & relatives
• oDemonstrable experience of providing care in a healthcare or social setting
• oEffective and appropriate communication skills both written and verbal
• oAble to complete appropriate documentation accurately
• oDemonstrate an awareness of healthcare work and policies and procedures.

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.