Healthcare Assistant

Liverpool University Hospitals Nhs Foundation Trust; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting a Band 3 Health Care Assistant to support registered nurses in delivering high-quality patient care. You will join a caring team with training and mentorship throughout your learning and development.

We emphasize a kind, patient-centered approach and positive teamwork. The role involves assisting with hygiene, nutrition support, basic observations, and a range of clinical duties under supervision.

Qualifications

• Demonstrates willingness & capability to undertake NVQ level 3.
• Demonstrable hospital/healthcare experience at NVQ level 2.
• Desirable: acute hospital experience in UK.

Responsibilities

• Under supervision of a registered nurse, assist the ACCU team in delivering high-quality patient care.
• Support patients with personal care and hygiene, nutrition, and mobility.
• Record fluid intake/output and vital signs as per care plans.
• Assist with venepuncture, cannulation, catheter care and wound dressings.
• Provide comfort, clear communication, and support to patients and families.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Basic computer skills

Education

NVQ level 3

Job description

Job summary

We are looking for a band 3 health care assistant. We are looking for individuals who are eager to learn, have a kind and caring attitude towards patients, families and colleagues and who will be positive team members.

This Trust is an exciting and rewarding place to work and successful applicants will be offered full support in settling into your new role. We offer a full and comprehensive training and induction period and you will be assigned to a mentor who will guide and support you through your learning and development.

Please note that only candidates who provide a fully completed application form, that demonstrates how they meet the person specification for the post, will be shortlisted.

If you are a caring individual and your values align to ours (Caring, Fair and Innovative)

You must have previous experience working in a Hospital environment / Healthcare / Social Care to apply for this post.

* Please note, this vacancy may close once sufficient applications have been submitted *

Please note that we are unable to offer a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for this role.

Main duties of the job

As Band 3 Health Care assistant duties will include supporting the registered nursing teams in providing patient care, clinical duties such as assisting patients with extended personal hygiene needs, meeting patients nutritional needs, including completing risk assessments and implementing plans of care.

Pressure area care delivery and wound assessment and wound dressings. Undertaking observations, supporting new and junior members of staff, as well as venepuncture, cannulation and catheterization. Also supporting patients on the cardiac monitors.

The successful candidate needs to be driven and motivated to fit into the team well and strive to provide the highest standards of care for our complex cardiac patients.

Job responsibilities

Under the supervision of a registered nurse, assisting the ACCU team in providing the highest possible standard of care for patients and their families/carers.

Clinical responsibilities

• Participates 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 of patients in managing incontinence and promotion of continence.
• The recording of a patient's fluid intake and output using fluid balance charts.
• Preparation and serving of patients meals, drinks and snacks. Assisting / feeding patients as necessary.
• The recording of patients' dietary intake when indicated in the patient's plan of care.
• Enable patients to maintain/improve their mobility by use of exercise and mobility appliances.
• Assist in the prevention of pressure sore development as directed by the Registered Nurse in conjunction with the patient's plan of care.
• Carry out any movement and handling within the safe practice guidelines from your mandatory training and in relation to the patient's manual handling plan.
• Obtaining specimens from patients for ward or laboratory testing.
• Removal of cannula, catheters. Undertake the dressing of non-complex wounds (in accordance with identified competencies and in conjunction with the plan of care).
• Naso-gastric/PEG feeding once the tube has been passed and checked by a registered professional.
• Prepare and maintain environments for clinical treatments and investigations.
• Prepare patients for treatments, investigations or procedures including offering support, answering questions appropriate to own knowledge/experience and assisting in recovery.
• Collection of blood products from laboratory as requested.
• Chaperoning and escorting patients to clinical departments within the hospital and to other hospitals for investigations.
• Assist Registered Nurse in performing last offices.
• General and clinical observations of patients, reporting anything untoward to Registered Nursing Staff, to include: recording of blood pressure, pulse, temperature and respiration rate; cardiac monitoring, rhythm recognition; oxygen saturation monitoring; recording of peak flow.
• Undertake blood glucose monitoring and venepuncture upon the direction of the registered nurse.
• Documentation in patients' nursing records of any care given, ensuring the entry is countersigned by the Registered Nurse responsible for the patient at the time.
• Initiate Basic Life Support techniques as appropriate and provide assist to the registered nurse as required in prolonged resuscitation situations.
• Contribute to the development of Essence of Care and benchmarking.
• Provide a verbal handover of the patient's care under the direct supervision of the registered nurse.
• Ensure due regard is given to customs, values and spiritual beliefs of patients and carers.

General duties

• Promotes effective communication within the multi-disciplinary team and takes measures to overcome communication difficulties.
• Contributes to the management of aggressive and abusive behaviour.
• General bed making / making up of clean beds in readiness for new admissions, and operation beds. (Refer to policy for the care of mattresses and beds).
• Clear and clean vacated bed spaces and prepare ready for use according to the ward/unit protocol.
• Prepare used linen bags for collection by Porters and ensure adequate supply of linen bags/skips ready for use.
• Assist in maintaining a clean and safe environment in all areas.
• Safe disposal of clinical waste and sharps as per Trust policy.
• Be familiar with Trust policy and procedure for reporting clinical incidents, reporting of incidents if they occur.
• Attend to the needs of visitors and patients particularly those who may be distressed or bereaved.
• Care for patients' property, including valuables, in accordance with Trust policy.
• Obtain demographic details and social history from patients/visitors to assist in the admission process.
• Provide support and assistance to new and junior members of staff.

Clerical duties

• Undertake a range of clerical duties in the absence of or in support of the Ward Clerk to ensure a smooth running service, this may involve: reception/telephone duties; basic computer skills; obtaining case notes/x-rays; filing; act as messenger in the absence of other more appropriate person e.g. to other wards; complete maintenance records; monitor and maintain adequate stock levels of stationery, ward provisions, clean linen etc. completing as necessary requisitions forms for authorisation.

The post holder shall as necessary provide cover for and undertake duties of absent colleagues.

The post holder shall follow all the policies and procedures of the organisation.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Essential: Demonstrates a willingness & capability to undertake NVQ level 3.

Experience

• Essential: Demonstrable experience in hospital setting working at NVQ level 2.
• Desirable: Acute hospital experience in UK.

Knowledge

• Essential: Reputation for high standard of patient care.

Skills

• Essential: Excellent communication skills.
• Essential: Ability to develop effective interpersonal relationships with colleagues in the Healthcare setting.
• Essential: Basic Computer Skills.

Other

• Essential: Supportive of colleagues and patients.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

Employer details

Employer name: Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Aintree, Lower Lane, Liverpool, L9 7AL, United Kingdom

Employer's website: https://www.liverpoolft.nhs.uk/

Contact for questions: Sharon Halliday, Ward Manager, [e-mail], 01515294440

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice is available on request.