Nursing Assistant

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board; Exeter; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Devon Partnership Trust's Franklyn Hospital, Exeter, is seeking a passionate Healthcare Assistant to join Rougemont Ward, an inpatient unit for older people with functional illnesses.

You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team, providing compassionate care, supporting daily living activities, and participating in treatment plans and group activities.

The post requires flexibility across day, evening, night shifts and weekends, with opportunities for career development within the Trust.

Qualifications

• Experience providing practical support with daily living activities.
• Ability to respond promptly to emergencies and safeguarding awareness.
• Good communication and listening skills with patients and carers.
• Ability to work within a multiprofessional team and follow care plans.
• Knowledge of Trust policies and documentation requirements.

Responsibilities

• Assist multidisciplinary team in delivering care across physical, social, intellectual and emotional needs.
• Take part in ward meetings and MDT discussions; maintain accurate records.
• Support patients with daily living activities and recovery plans.
• Participate in group and individual activities to aid engagement.
• Follow safety procedures and escalation processes when concerns arise.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Care delivery

Observation & reporting

Education

Care Certificate

GCSE English & Maths

QCF Level 3 in Health & Social Care

Job description

An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and passionate individual to join our inpatient team at Franklyn Hospital, Exeter as a Healthcare Assistant. Rougemont Ward is a mixed sex, 16 bedded, inpatient assessment unit for Older People with functional illnesses. We are looking to appoint a proactive and motivated individual who is passionate about caring for older people with functional illnesses. This job will offer the successful candidate a challenging yet rewarding environment with opportunities to consistently learn and develop. Rougemont Ward provides high quality care and treatment for people who have complex health needs and a functional illness. We provide a multi disciplinary assessment of patient need to inform their current and future care needs. We are looking for people who share our trust values in delivering high quality care and treatment, who enjoy working as part of a proactive Multi-Disciplinary team and want to make a difference in improving peoples lives everyday. For the right candidate there are career development opportunities which are recruited to regularly each year through Devon Partnership Trusts career development and practice education teams. Our inpatient services operate on a 24/7 shift basis. There is an expectation that all staff work a variety of shifts, including nights and weekends, unsocial enhancements in addition to basic pay apply. Full and Part time hours available.

• To assist multi-disciplinary team members in the delivery of care and treatment to people using services. The care provided will encompass social, physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual needs of the individuals.
• Be responsible for undertaking practical procedures under the supervision of trained nursing staff., Communication & Working Relationships
• To communicate effectively with people using services taking into account any communication difficulties they may have and responding appropriately.
• To form and maintain therapeutic relationships with individuals and other professionals and agencies.
• To maintain accurate and complete records consistent with legislation, policies and procedures.
• To communicate in a professional manner that is consistent with relevant legislation, policies and procedures.
• Taking, recording and reporting telephone messages.
• Providing and receiving routine information to assist in undertaking the role.
• Participate in ward / team meetings and discussions.

Planning & Organisation

• To be involved in the assessment and implementation of individual treatment programmes and the persons recovery care plan under the supervision of qualified staff.
• To prioritise tasks and manage the shift workload in discussion with the Nurse-in-Charge.
• Participate in flexible shift system, which requires you to work days, evening, nights, weekends and public holiday's dependant on the needs of the ward.
• In order to provide comprehensive and quality services to individuals, the post holder will if necessary be required to work in other areas of the service as directed by the Line Manager / Nurse-in-Charge.

Responsibility for Judgement & Analysis

• The post holder will be aware of and work within their own limits, and competencies.
• Take part in the constant assessment of risk and management of risk in conjunction with the qualified staff.
• Take part and be aware of Health and Safety matters as appropriate.
• Be punctual for work and conduct themselves in a professional manner in accordance with Trust Policies.

Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment & Therapy

• To be fully aware of each individuals recovery care plan and be involved in clinical formulation and delivery of allocated individuals recovery care plans.
• To participate fully in the allocated /associate nurse role.
• Participation in the delivery of therapeutic interventions, - assisting / facilitating in the running of group and individual 1-1 activities, offering time in positive activity and engagement.
• Participate in procedures involving intensive engagement and care of individuals who are distressed and / or verbally or physically aggressive.
• To provide support with daily living skills.
• Assist in all aspects of physical nursing care under the supervision of a registered nurse.
• Be able to recognise signs of abuse and know procedures they need to follow to elevate their concerns.
• Provide regular and practical support to individuals and their carers.
• To maintain the dignity and well being of individuals and their carers at all times.
• Assisting in the monitoring of patient nutritional needs.
• Escorting individuals under direction of Nurse-in-Charge.
• To assist individuals gain access to resources including benefits and welfare rights.
• Participating in ward / team Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings and discussions.
• Keep accurate records of interventions and care provided as identified in patient care plans as directed by the Nurse-in-Charge and ensure all entries are validated on the electronic records system.
• Promptly report any difficulties encountered whilst implementing agreed care plans to the Nurse-in-Charge, and be able to report both verbally and in written form against progress of care plans.

Policy, Service, Research, Innovation & Improvement

• To complete all core training requirements and other appropriate training courses, to maintain individual professional development.
• To comply with all DPT policies, protocols, procedures relevant to the role.
• Report any observed incidence of unprofessional behaviour, accidents/incidents, untoward occurrences or faulty equipment to the Nurse-in-charge or Line Manager.
• To participate professionally in service development and proposed service changes.
• To take part in any audit processes as required.
• Comply with universal Infection Control precautions and procedures.

Responsibility for Finance, Equipment & Other Resources

• Assist in maintaining safety and security of the environment.
• Helping to maintain cleanliness and tidiness of the environment (including equipment).
• To have knowledge and understanding of counter fraud.
• To ensure Trust policies and legislation are followed regarding patient's property and monies.
• To ensure accurate documentation and record keeping.
• To participate in the monitoring, ordering and receipts of stock and non-stock supplies of the ward.

Responsibility for Supervision, Leadership & Management

• To actively participate in regular supervision and an annual staff appraisal which includes service objectives and individual learning and development needs in accordance with Trust policy.
• To participate in and support students learning along with other members of the team.

Information Resources & Administrative Duties

• To effectively use the Trust's IT systems
• Maintaining confidentiality of information being aware of Trust policies and local protocols and keeping up-to-date with changes.

Freedom to Act

• Works within the standard operational procedures of the team. Uses own initiative in delivering patient care whilst receiving supervision from the team.

Any Other Specific Tasks Required

• To contribute to the provision of a safe therapeutic environment for individuals, staff and visitors to the ward.
• To take on responsibility for duties assigned by Line Manager.
• The post holder should ensure their fitness to undertake the post they should be able to demonstrate they are able to undertake the level of general training and personal safety training appropriate to their role and work area, and keep this training up-to-date.
• If the ability to perform Physical Intervention Techniques or Prevention of Violence, Management is a requirement of the role, the post holder must declare physical fitness to undertake such a role.
• The post holder should act quickly to protect the safety of individuals if they have reason to believe that they or a colleague may not be fit to undertake the duties within their job role.

If you do not hold a QCF/NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care, an equivalent qualification, or the Care Certificate you will need to complete the Care Certificate within 3 months of commencement of the Band 3 post.

If you have a minimum of 6 months experience in the last 2 years working in a care role, but do not hold the Care Certificate you can complete the form Care Certificate Evidence Document from the additional documentation list to evidence that this experience is equivalent to the 15 standards as set out within the Care Certificate. You will need to take this completed form to interview where it will be reviewed by the appointing manager and if you meet the criteria, the manager can approve this in place of completing the Care Certificate. We will also offer entry onto our Apprenticeship programme to initially undertake the Level 3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship if your role is appropriate. This allows entry onto our career progression pathway to enable you to undertake further training to degree level clinical posts.

• Experience of providing practical support with daily living activities, and physically perform nursing duties.
• Able to respond promptly to physical and mental health emergencies, be able to think quickly and deal with situations in a calm and sensible manner.
• Demonstrate good communication and listening skills and the ability to make and sustain professional therapeutic relationships
• Able to demonstrate a sound understanding of safeguarding principles
• Confident IT skills to support accurate documentation in the electronic patient record
• To take leadership and direction from qualified staff to completed allocated tasks unsupervised and provide accurate feedback
• To be patient and tolerant in challenging situations.
• Knowledge and experience of working within mental health and a basic understanding of physical health presentations.
• GCSE (or equivalent) grade A to C in English and Maths
• Ability to complete the Care Certificate within the first 6 months of employment unless already obtained, NVQ level 3, QCF Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent qualification.
• Other evidence of training or development relevant to working within mental health settings.

About Devon Partnership Trust

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.