Healthcare Assistant

Independent Health Group; Swindon; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is seeking a compassionate Healthcare Assistant to join their surgical team in Swindon. The role involves supporting the theatre team during procedures, ensuring high-quality patient care, and assisting in outpatient clinics. Applicants should have a commitment to ongoing personal development and ideally hold or be willing to obtain an NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care. This position offers flexible working arrangements, promoting a healthy work-life balance.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Option to buy extra leave

Birthday off

Qualifications

• Broad general education with written and verbal communication skills.
• Committed to continuous personal development.
• Willing to train for NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care.

Responsibilities

• Ensure effective communication with patients and team.
• Perform circulating duties in the operating theatre.
• Assist in outpatient clinics and maintain accurate clinical records.

Skills

Good communication skills

Team collaboration

Basic computer skills

Education

NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care

Tools

SystmOne

Job description

Independent Health Group (IHG) has an opportunity for a Healthcare Assistant to join our friendly surgical team in Lawn Medical Centre.

We would like to encourage those seeking full and part time, to apply as all patterns of work will be considered.

We offer 25 days annual leave, a day off for your birthday (if it falls on one of your working days), bank holidays, plus the option to buy up to a further 2 weeks of annual leave.

Main duties of the job

The Health Care Assistant (HCA) role is to provide support to the Theatre Team by undertaking circulating duties in the operating theatre and supporting the patient during the perioperative phase, while delivering a high standard of individualized patient care under the supervision of the registered team members. You will communicate effectively, in an empathic way, with patients and their relatives/carers at a particularly vulnerable part of the care episode. The HCA will also assist in outpatient clinics.

About us

Established in 2004, Independent Health Group (IHG) has been dedicated to providing high-quality, patient-centred care close to home. With a strong commitment to delivering outstanding healthcare in the community, we've spent the past 20 years building a reputation for excellence, innovation, and compassionate service. In 2022, our dedication to patient care was recognised with an Outstanding CQC rating, a testament to our quality and commitment.

At IHG, we offer an alternative to traditional hospital settings, ensuring our patients receive personalised care with continuity and convenience. Our services are based on short waiting times, specific appointment slots, and one-to-one clinician continuity, creating a seamless and supportive experience for every patient.

Our teams work in a supportive, flexible environment, where patient contact remains at the heart of everything we do. We operate Monday to Friday, with no evening or bank holiday shifts, allowing for a healthy work-life balance. We strive to accommodate flexible working arrangements that support our staff's professional and personal needs.

At IHG, we are committed to innovation in healthcare delivery, providing an opportunity for professionals to develop their skills, contribute to the growth of an exceptional organisation, and make a real impact on patient care. If you're passionate about delivering outstanding healthcare in a setting that values both patients and staff, we'd love to welcome you to our team.

Job responsibilities

Main tasks and Responsibilities:

• To ensure effective communication with patients, colleagues and across the multi‑disciplinary team.
• To undertake theatre competencies and utilise acquired theatre support skills to carry out the role of circulating personnel.
• To work within limits of competency and level of training.
• To perform routine circulating personnel tasks for a Cataract, Hernia, Podiatry, Vasectomy and Hand surgery.
• To anticipate the needs of the scrubbed practitioner, including opening sterile packaging (instrumentation, peel packs, fluid dispensing units), checking and maintaining the integrity of the product. Ensure verbal confirmation of sterility is given to the scrubbed practitioner.
• Basic keyboard skills and ability to maintain accurate and contemporaneous clinical records using SystmOne
• Assist in the safe positioning and transfer of patients as necessary.
• To have knowledge of and adhere to IHG policies and procedures.
• To participate in the safe use of medical equipment, ensuring that all equipment is checked before use, and in working order. This includes resuscitation equipment.
• To assist in the induction and ongoing support of new and junior staff.
• All members of the theatre team are expected to support colleagues as required.
• To work according to practitioner in charge instructions and within IHG approved procedures
• Working in accordance with IHG's values, policies and procedures, the HCA will provide high quality care to patients by:
• Supporting with setting up and packing away the clinical rooms at the start and finish of the day.
• Ensuring adherence to the five moments of hand hygiene and IPC policy and procedure.
• Assisting the patient and attending to their physical comfort before, during and after their procedure.
• Performing and reporting clinical observations in theatres or clinic, including temperature, pulse, respiration rate and blood pressure and BMI (following completion of appropriate training). Observing and reporting changes in a patient's condition to the registered practitioner or clinician.
• Assisting in maintaining a clean, safe work environment.
• Assisting with maintaining of stock levels, ensuring replacement stock is ordered.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Broad general education to evidence written and verbal communication skills.
• Committed to continuous personal development.
• Willing to undertake new clinical practices, education and training that will enhance service delivery
• NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care / Care Certificate, or willing to train to this level.

Knowledge and Skills

• Understands the factors that influence good clinical care.
• Able to communicate with patients, answer questions and put them at ease.
• A good team worker, but also able to work independently.
• Able to maintain accurate patient records.
• Basic computer skills, including clinical systems e.g., System One.

Experience

• Experience in a health or care setting, working directly with patients or service users.
• Previous experience within a perioperative setting

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.