Healthcare Assistant- Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries

Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Gobowen; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading orthopaedic hospital in England is seeking Healthcare Assistants to join their Midlands Centre for Spinal Injuries. You will care for spinal cord injury patients, supporting their independence and rehabilitation. Opportunities are available for both full-time and part-time roles. The ideal candidate should have relevant qualifications and experience in a caring environment. Join a supportive team committed to professional development and patient care.

Benefits

Outstanding professional development opportunities

Access to state-of-the-art facilities

Supportive team environment

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in a caring environment is essential.
• Experience with spinal injuries is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist patients with daily living activities.
• Provide patient care while maintaining safety.
• Participate in yearly training and appraisals.

Skills

Patient centred focus

Ability to work under pressure

Good communication skills

Initiative

Education

NVQ Level 2 Care or equivalent

Completion of Care Certificate

Job description

Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Healthcare Assistant - Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries

The closing date is 09 October 2025

We have exciting opportunities to join our Midlands Centre for Spinal Injuries as a Healthcare Assistant/ Healthcare Support Worker.

At the Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries (MCSI), we are committed to supporting new members of staff to ensure they feel confident and enjoy working as part of our team.

You will be given the time and support to build your confidence whilst learning how to care for spinal cord injury patients.

We look forward to having the opportunity to welcome you to the team.

We have full-time, part-time roles available.

Amongst the facilities available in MCSI is Horatio's Garden. Horatio's Garden is a national charity that creates and cares for NHS spinal cord injury centres. Horatio's Garden offers a sanctuary for patients with spinal cord injuries, which helps them with their physical and psychological well-being. This is an amazing facility for both our patients, families, and staff to enjoy, relax, participate in rehab, and importantly provides a tranquil rest and rehabilitation area.

Under current Home Office Immigration Rules, this role does not meet the UK Visas and Immigration criteria and the position is not therefore eligible for sponsorship. Applications from candidates that require skilled worker sponsorship will NOT be shortlisted.

Main duties of the job

The team at MCSI work closely together to give patients the best opportunities for maximum potential recovery following a spinal cord injury. This includes caring for a patient in the initial first few weeks following injury, rehabilitation, through to discharge post discharge care also. Patients are 'life long' patients of MCSI and are part of the MCSI 'family'.

Main duties of the role including teaching and supporting patients to be as independent as possible in their daily routine, working alongside external care teams, ensuring clean and safe environments and supporting patients with nutrition and hydration.

About us

The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic NHS Trust is one of the leading orthopaedic hospitals in the country, with some of the highest levels of staff and patient satisfaction, as well as a strong reputation for research and innovation.

Joining RJAH is more than just a job - we want our people to have the best opportunities to thrive in their role. We have a range of fantastic staff benefits on offer to everyone who joins RJAH and you'll have access to outstanding professional development opportunities and state-of-the-art facilities - including our recently-opened £6 million Headley Court Veterans' Orthopaedic Centre (the first unit of its kind in the UK). RJAH has strong links with a range of universities including Staffordshire, Keele, Glyndwr, Chester and Birmingham. The hospital is located on a site outside Oswestry in Oswestry, just off the A5. The nearest train station is in Gobowen, approximately two miles from the hospital. The station is part of the Chester to Birmingham line.

Job responsibilities

• Under the direct/indirect supervision of trained staff, be able to use own initiative and be able to assist patients in all activities of daily living within own level of competence.
• Assist patients to maintain and improve their mobility to their full potential. Assist with dressing, promoting independence as much as possible within the boundaries of the patients functional ability.
• Provide patient care, which may require the use of physical effort to roll, manoeuvre and stand patients. The use of manual handling equipment and training is essential, to reduce physical strain and maintain safety of the patient. Annual manual handling training is mandatory.
• Assist other team members to maintain the skin integrity of all patients and have a working knowledge of all aids that are available to support this practice.
• Provide a safe and clean environment for patients by having and demonstrating a working knowledge of all Health and Safety issues.
• Assist patients to select meals. Have a working knowledge of available supplementary foods, which may be prescribed. Provide assistance and monitoring with eating and drinking as required, whilst still attempting to promote patients\' independence.
• To have a basic understanding in the safe use of wheelchairs, commodes and other equipment used on the unit. Ensure due regard is given to the customs, culture, values and spiritual beliefs of the patient, family, carers and staff. To uphold the Trust\'s Diversity/Equal Opportunities Policy.
• Ensure due regard is given to the safety of patients belongings according to Trust policies.
• Be able to handle waste body fluids, ensuring correct disposal according to Trust policies. Take specimens of urine, faeces, sputum, wound and other swabs, when requested to do so from a qualified nurse.
• Assist with escort duties as required. Chaperoning patients during medical examinations.
• Basic life support skills are essential, and will be updated at least yearly.
• Ability to call help and support staff in the event of an emergency.
• Be accountable for own practice, and take every reasonable opportunity to sustain and improve knowledge and professional competence.
• Attend yearly statutory training to ensure adherence to Trust policy and current legislation.
• Attend relevant in house training sessions which is pertinent to own clinical practice, to enhance knowledge and skill, maintaining competencies.
• Maintain personal training records.
• Participate in a yearly appraisal, setting personal objectives for own professional developmentplan.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Completion of Care Certificate, or willing to complete within 12 months
• NVQ Level 2 Care (or equivalent)

Experience

• Demonstrable experience in a caring environment
• Spinal injuries experience

Skills

• Patient centred focus and approach to work
• Able to work on own initiative and under pressure
• Able to work within a multidisciplinary team
• Demonstrates good level of both written and oral communication skills

Knowledge

• An understanding of the importance of family centred care
• Demonstration of maintaining personal development
• Ability to exemplify the Trust Values - friendly, excellence, caring, professional, respect.
• Motivated, good time keeper, flexible approach and able to use appropriate initiative

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

Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHSFT

The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHSFT