Healthcare Assistant - Knowsley Community Respiratory Service

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

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Liverpool seeks a motivated Healthcare Assistant to join the Community Respiratory Team. The role involves supporting patients with chronic respiratory conditions, working collaboratively with the clinical team. Ideal candidates will possess NVQ Level 2 and 3 in Care and have at least 2 years' experience within the NHS. This full-time, permanent position offers a supportive environment and focuses on delivering high-quality patient care.

Qualifications

• At least 2 years' experience working within the NHS.
• Experience of working in an acute care environment, undertaking clinical competencies to NVQ level 3.
• Experience within the respiratory field.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the care and management of patients with chronic respiratory disease.
• Record and report vital signs including temperature and blood pressure.
• Support patients during community assessments and home visits.

Skills

Ability to prioritise and organise workload

Able to work using own initiative

Ability to problem solve

Basic IT skills and experience of using Excel

Can demonstrate previous achievement of clinical competencies

Can demonstrate evidence of managing difficult and challenging situations

Education

NVQ Level 2 and 3 in Care

European Computer Driving Licence

Job description

Healthcare Assistant - Knowsley Community Respiratory Service

We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Health Care Assistant to join our dynamic Community Respiratory Team. The post holder will play a key role in supporting the delivery of safe, effective, and compassionate care for patients with chronic respiratory conditions, working collaboratively with the wider multidisciplinary team.

You will demonstrate excellent teamwork, flexibility, and a positive attitude, embracing the Trust's "Be Civil, Be Kind" ethos and IMPACT values in all interactions.

If you are passionate about delivering high-quality patient care and want to be part of a supportive and forward-thinking team, we'd love to hear from you.

Due to the nature of the role, it is essential that applicants are able to travel independently across the locality and have access to transport for work purposes.

This is a full-time, permanent post and although the service operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, the Healthcare Assistant will only be required to work between the hours of 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Main duties of the job

Assist in the care and management of patients with chronic respiratory disease under supervision of the clinical team.

Record and report patient observations (e.g. temperature, pulse, blood pressure, respiration, oxygen saturation).

Support patients and clinical staff during community venue assessments and home visits.

Obtain and collate all Friends & Family test feedback.

Maintain a clean, safe and well-stocked environment, ensuring equipment is cleaned, serviced and stored appropriately.

Manage the day-to-day running of the nebuliser compressor service, including database maintenance and loan co-ordination.

Monitor stock levels, place and track orders, and liaise with procurement and suppliers as needed.

Undertake clerical and administrative duties to support service operations, including phone and IT tasks.

Contribute to service development and the effective use of resources.

Report maintenance, cleaning, or safety issues to the Lead Nurse/Matron and participate in routine environmental monitoring.

Adhere to Trust policies on confidentiality, health and safety, and governance.

Promote the Trust's values, ensuring courteous, respectful, and professional conduct at all times.

About us

As the largest single site specialist heart and chest hospital in the UK, we, at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, have a clear vision 'to be the best cardiothoracic integrated healthcare organisation'.

We provide specialist services in cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology, respiratory medicine both in the hospital and out in the community.

We serve a catchment area of 2.8 million people, spanning Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and the Isle of Man, and increasingly we receive referrals from outside these areas for highly specialised services such as aortics.

Our reputation for strong performance is important in delivering the best care for our patients and high quality clinical services. This is underpinned by a culture of research and innovation, delivered in modern estate and our encouragement of flexible working in a variety of forms.

Please visit our website - https://www.lhch.nhs.uk/

Please follow this link for a tour of our site - https://bit.ly/36ylsoq

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Assist in the care and management of patients with chronic respiratory disease under supervision.

Record and report vital signs including temperature, pulse, blood pressure, respiration, and oxygen saturation.

Support patients during clinical procedures at community clinics/home visits.

Maintain cleanliness and hygiene standards in clinical and communal areas.

Clean and arrange servicing of medical equipment such as nebuliser compressors.

Monitor stock levels and ensure adequate supplies in office and community units.

Perform clerical duties including telephone handling and data entry.

Manage the nebuliser compressor database and co-ordinate equipment delivery/collection.

Collate Friends and Family Test feedback and maintain the service compliments/complaints records.

Undertake any other duties appropriate to the level/grade of the job.

Communication

Use effective communication skills to support patients, carers, and colleagues.

Deal professionally with aggressive or abusive behaviour.

Receive, welcome, and guide visitors to the service/Trust, ensuring information is passed on confidentially.

Liaise with multidisciplinary teams and external services such as IT, maintenance, medical engineering etc.

Governance & Quality

Adhere to Trust policies including those on confidentiality, health and safety, and governance.

Monitor cleaning schedules and environmental standards, reporting outcomes and issues.

Ensure equipment is stored safely and maintained in good working order.

Promote a culture of safety and continuous improvement.

Training

Seek appropriate advice and support when knowledge or skills are limited.

Contribute to service development and quality improvement initiatives.

Monitor and maintain stock levels, place orders via Oracle, liaise with suppliers and procurement.

Return faulty or surplus items as necessary.

Maintain a clean, safe, and tidy environment across office and clinical areas.

Carry out spot cleaning and respond to spillages promptly.

Ensure all electrical equipment is PAT tested and safe for use.

Physical Effort

Regularly lift and transport medical equipment to and from patient homes.

Perform cleaning tasks and maintain physical spaces, which may involve bending, lifting, and standing for extended periods.

Mental Effort

Maintain concentration while recording clinical observations and managing clerical tasks.

Respond to unpredictable work patterns and interruptions.

Meet deadlines for feedback collation, stock management, and equipment servicing.

Emotional Effort

Support distressed or bereaved patients and carers with sensitivity.

Work in emotionally demanding situations, particularly when dealing with end-of-life care or patient deterioration.

Working Condition

Work in patients homes and clinical environments which may present variable conditions.

Exposure to bodily fluids, cleaning agents, and occasional unpleasant smells.

Use of medical and electrical equipment in confined or busy spaces.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Education

• NVQ Level 2 and 3 in Care (or equivalent experience)
• European Computer Driving Licence or equivalent

Skills & Knowledge

• Ability to prioritise and organise workload
• Able to work using own initiative
• Ability to problem solve
• Basic IT skills and experience of using Excel
• Can demonstrate previous achievement of clinical competencies
• Can demonstrate evidence of managing difficult and challenging situations

Experience

• At least 2 years' experience working within the NHS
• Experience of working in an acute care environment, undertaking a full range of clinical competencies to NVQ level 3
• Experience within the respiratory field
• Previous experience within a customer service environment

Values & Behaviours

• Adherence to Trust Values and Behaviours
• Committed to delivering high standards of patient care
• Ability to relate well with patients, clients, relatives, visitors and colleagues within the multi-disciplinary team
• Committed to continued personal and educational development
• Enthusiastic and motivated
• Team player
• Flexible and reliable

Other

• Able to be mobile between different venues and locations in the community

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.

Employer name

Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital