Nursing Assistant - Medical Wards

NHS; Bury St Edmunds; Hybrid; GBP 20,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Bury St Edmunds seeks Healthcare Support Workers to provide essential support in hospital wards. No prior experience is needed, as training will be provided. Successful applicants will undertake various duties, including patient care and assisting with personal hygiene. The role offers flexible hours, career progression, and a supportive team environment. Candidates should be willing to complete a National Care Certificate and possess clear communication abilities.

Benefits

Minimum 27 days annual leave

Access to NHS Pension Scheme

Employee benefits including staff discounts

Qualifications

• Communication skills are essential.
• Teamwork ability is crucial for this role.
• Must be willing to undertake the National Care Certificate within 12 weeks.

Responsibilities

• Support ward teams with direct patient care.
• Assist patients with personal hygiene.
• Monitor and report vital signs as per care plan.

Skills

Communicates clearly

Able to work as a team

Able to work on own initiative

Experience working in a healthcare setting

Education

National Care Certificate

Functional Skills level 1 Maths & English

Job description

Job Summary

#BeKnown By us. By our patients. By our community.

Do you want to make a difference on people's lives?

Healthcare support worker | Health Careers

We are looking for individuals with or without healthcare experience to join our diverse and friendly organisation.

No Experience? No problem, you don't need any previous experience to work as a Nursing Assistant! We will provide all the training you need and equip you with the skills required to start your career in healthcare.

Experienced in healthcare? We have opportunities to work in varied roles across the organisation enabling you to build on your career and meet your professional goals. This is a great opportunity to develop your Nursing Assistant career and make a real difference to the lives of those who use our services.

We encourage applications from all backgrounds. We have permanent, full and part-time roles available, across a variety of medical wards.

The closing date for this vacancy may change if we receive a strong response.

Certificate of sponsorship

Please note that Certificate of Sponsorship is not available for this role as it does not meet the requirements for the health and care Visa. Please ensure you have the appropriate right to work in the UK to avoid disappointment.

Interviews are held in person at our main site West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 2QZ.

Job Responsibilities

As a nursing assistant you will provide invaluable support to ward teams and help with direct patient care, which might include:

• Measuring and observing the physical characteristics of patients, including temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, peak flows and weight
• Assisting patients with the maintenance of their personal and oral hygiene, including washing/bathing, mouth and dental care, hair-washing, shaving and dressing/undressing
• Assisting patients to eat and drink as per their care plan, identifying, recording and reporting abnormal dietary and fluid intake
• Assisting patients with mobility, using safe manual handling techniques
• Assisting patients to use toilet facilities

Key Tasks

Working under the direction of a registered healthcare professional, participate in the personal care of patients and prioritise workload appropriately and develop competencies that safeguard practice and effectiveness in role.

The Healthcare Support Worker - Care Maker will undertake high quality, caring and compassionate personal care and associated duties under the direction and supervision of the registered professional and work as part of the multi‑disciplinary team.

Operational duties include:

• Transporting specimens
• Collecting drugs, instruments, case notes
• Escort duties
• Document information relating to personal care onto HIS under the direction of a registered nurse
• Maintain and monitor stock levels on the ward/department
• Participate in meetings and handover to discuss patient progress and care
• Safely transport patients
• Provide support to patients and relatives
• Provide support when required to the ward/community team
• Undertake Cavendish Care Certificate as required (find out more about the Care Certificate at WSFT)

What you can expect from us

• A supportive, friendly team that delivers high quality care
• A rewarding role in a busy, fast‑paced team environment
• Working flexibly with you
• A comprehensive induction programme to help you achieve your Care Certificate
• Career progression and ongoing professional development
• Enhanced rates of pay for weekends, night and bank holiday working
• A minimum of 27 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays (pro rata for part‑time staff)
• The opportunity to join the NHS Pension Scheme
• Access to a range of employee benefits including staff discounts, salary sacrifice schemes, discounted staff restaurant
• Staff networks listening and supportive voices from protected characteristics

Person Specification

Education & Qualification

• National Care Certificate or be willing to undertake and complete within 12 weeks or starting (essential)
• Care Certificate (desirable)
• Functional Skills level 1 Maths & English (desirable)
• Previous experience of being an HCSW (Nursing Assistant) (desirable)

Skills & Abilities

• Communicates clearly (essential)
• Able to work as a team (essential)
• Able to work on own initiative, following direction/supervision (essential)
• Experience working in a healthcare, social care organisation/setting or service industry requiring people contact (essential)

Experience & Knowledge

• Experience of working within a health care environment (desirable)
• Demonstrate a range of procedures and practices, base level of theoretical knowledge (desirable)
• Ability to work in a multi‑agency team (desirable)
• Ability to work alone or in small team (desirable)
• Ability to work with staff from a diverse range of backgrounds (desirable)

Personal Qualities

• Professional outlook and positive attitude (essential)

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 Details

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

West Suffolk Hospital, Hardwick Lane, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 2QZ

Pay & Contract

Band 2. Salary: Depending on experience AFC Band 2 while training and until competencies achieved. Contract: Permanent. Working pattern: Full‑time, Part‑time, Flexible working.