Healthcare Assistant

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust; Wokingham; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare service provider in Wokingham is seeking an experienced Healthcare Assistant to join the team. The role involves assisting with patient care tasks, ensuring safety, and working closely with nurses. Successful candidates will have a caring attitude, good IT skills, and a willingness to support patients in their daily activities. Benefits include flexible work options, extensive career development opportunities, and a supportive team culture.

Benefits

Flexible working options

27 days' annual leave

Excellent learning opportunities

'Cycle to Work' scheme

Discounts at retailers

Free parking across Trust sites

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in delivering customer service for Band 2 role.
• Knowledge of personal care and related procedures.
• Ability to travel to multiple sites.

Responsibilities

• Support qualified nurses in patient care.
• Assist with washing, dressing, and promoting independence.
• Maintain patient safety and infection control.

Skills

Understanding and compassionate attitude

Proficient IT skills

Ability to communicate effectively

Knowledge of personal care

Education

English and Maths (A*-C or 9-4) GCSE or equivalent

Care Certificate or willingness to undertake it

Job description

Are you an experienced Band 2 or Band 3 Healthcare Assistant looking for a change? Or maybe you are someone who has always felt you would like to care for others but have no experience?

At Wokingham Hospital, we have two wards within our Inpatient Unit, caring for adults of any age with a wide mix of health care needs. We are a 24 hour service 365 days a year, mostly nursing led with support from the medical and therapy teams. The role aims to serve our patients, promote their independence, and support the service and team.

In addition to ensuring you develop the skills needed to deliver a high standard of personal care to the patients on our wards, BHFT is keen to provide access to any additional training. A number of our current HCAs have progressed to achieve qualifications including NVQ, sponsored Nurse Associate Training, and overseas Nursing adaptation programmes. We recognise not all staff wish to pursue these qualifications, so we will also provide access to shorter non-academic courses that will enhance the care you deliver on a daily basis too.

The unit is based in Wokingham close to shops and public transport for easy commuting, and Wokingham Community Hospital staff are eligible for 'fringe London weighting' under agenda for change, which equates to an additional 5% of your basic NHS salary, and free staff parking on our Hospital site. Unfortunately this role doesn't meet the requirements for Certificate of Sponsorship.

Main duties of the job

Work closely as part of the Multi-Disciplinary Team to support qualified nurses in the care of patients requiring medical and rehabilitation support.

Responsible for the assistance of patient care needs, such as washing, dressing, mobilising and promoting their independence in all activities of daily living.

Patient safety and infection control practice.

Participating in training and support.

About us

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we’re committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:

• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:

• Flexible working options to support work-life balance
• 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities
• 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
• Free parking across Trust sites

Job responsibilities

The must haves for you to be considered for this role:

• Understanding and compassionate attitude to the care of people.
• Good understanding and use of IT programmes as we are a digital Trust
• Work flexibly in a 24/7 service

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please dont hesitate to call: Ellen Bowley on 0118 9046064 or [e-mail] be delighted to help.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Person Specification

Education/Qualification/Training

• English and Maths (A*-C or 9-4) GCSE or equivalent qualification.
• Care Certificate or willingness to undertake the Care Certificate.

Previous Experience

• BAND 2: Demonstrable experience of delivering excellent customer service.

Knowledge, Skills and Ability

• Knowledge of personal care and related procedures
• Proficient IT skills; able to input, save and open information in a variety of systems.
• Ability to effectively communicate with colleagues in a variety of roles and seniorities, and service users where there may be barriers to understanding or engagement.
• Understanding of personal capabilities and limitations, with the ability to know when to elevate to senior colleagues. Demonstrate reflection to identify areas for learning and development.
• Ability to effectively prioritise activities to maximise efficiency.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to travel to multiple sites during the course of the working day where the location may be challenging to reach via public transport.

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.