Senior Health Care Assistant

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust; Slough; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking healthcare trust as a Healthcare Assistant in Sexual Health Nursing, where your skills will contribute to an outstanding team dedicated to providing exceptional patient care. This full-time role offers the chance to work in a dynamic environment, encountering diverse cases and benefiting from extensive training opportunities. With a commitment to inclusivity and professional development, you will play a crucial role in supporting a multidisciplinary team while ensuring patient confidentiality and dignity. Embrace this opportunity to enhance your career in a supportive and rewarding atmosphere, where your contributions truly make a difference.

Benefits

Flexible working options

27 days’ annual leave

Excellent learning and career development opportunities

Cycle to Work scheme

Access to wellbeing tools

Discounts at retailers and restaurants

Staff networks for diversity

Generous maternity and paternity leave

Free parking

Qualifications

• GCSE Level C in English and Maths or equivalent required.
• NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care is essential.

Responsibilities

• Support the clinical team of sexual health nurses and doctors.
• Prepare specimens for microscopy and document results accurately.
• Act as chaperone and respect patient privacy and dignity.

Skills

Communication Skills

Teamwork

Confidentiality

Patient Care

Education

GCSE Level C in English and Maths

NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care

Tools

Electronic Patient Record System

Job description

Main area: Sexual Health Nursing

Grade: Band 3

Contract: 1 year (Fixed term end date will be determined after pre-employment checks have been completed)

Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week

Job ref: 371-CHS919-A

Site: Sexual Health Nursing

Town: Slough

Salary: £25,329 - £26,958 per annum (incl of HCAS)

Salary period: Yearly

Closing: 09/02/2025 17:00

Job overview

Are you an experienced Healthcare Assistant looking to work for a Trust rated ‘Outstanding’ by the CQC?

Our friendly and supportive team based at the Garden Clinic (Sexual Health) in Slough, is looking for an experienced healthcare assistant to join a growing team. We work Monday to Friday, with one Saturday every 4 to 6 weeks.

Due to the nature of this role, we seek individuals who are open-minded and non-judgemental, with the ability to work in a highly confidential environment. Previous sexual health experience within GUM is desirable.

You will have the opportunity to be part of a multidisciplinary team, where we offer incredible training opportunities.

Working within Sexual Health, no day is the same, and you will encounter a variety of cases, including testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, and contraception. This role will provide exposure to develop and enhance your current skillset.

As a Trust, we celebrate diversity and work hard to create an inclusive environment where people love to work and can fulfil their potential.

Main duties of the job

1. Work as a healthcare assistant supporting the clinical team of sexual health nurses, doctors, and health advisers.
2. Work autonomously to prepare specimens for microscopy, interpret slides, and document results onto the electronic patient record system with a high degree of accuracy.
3. Act as chaperone and respect the privacy, dignity, and diversity of patients at all times.
4. Recognize the needs of patients and encourage positive attitudes by ensuring their needs are met or reported promptly to the Lead Nurse or Senior Clinician.

Working for our organization

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.

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 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

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

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

1. Educated to GCSE Level C in English and maths or equivalent standard.
2. Evidence of ongoing professional/personal development.
3. Experience of working in a healthcare setting.

If you’re someone who shares our passion for excellence and care, you belong at Berkshire Healthcare!

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where required.

Person specification

Education/Qualifications

• Educated to GCSE Level C in English and maths or equivalent standard.
• NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care.

Training

• Evidence of ongoing professional/personal development.
• Qualification in venepuncture.
• Current training in microscopy or willingness to undertake.

Previous Experience

• Experience of working in a healthcare setting.
• Ability to work positively as part of a team.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to work effectively without supervision in a busy clinic environment.
• Recognition and demonstration of the importance of patient and staff confidentiality.
• Proficient in the use of a patient database with a high degree of accuracy.
• Excellent communication skills face to face and on the telephone.
• Reliable with respect to timekeeping and attendance.
• Commitment and understanding of diversity and equal opportunities.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to travel to multiple sites with own transport.

These are the values that we live by at Berkshire Healthcare:

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

We welcome people who share these values to come and work for us.

Please find attached the behaviour framework that underpins these values for this job role.

At Berkshire Healthcare, we foster an inclusive workplace where everyone belongs.

We welcome talent from all backgrounds and offer guaranteed interviews to disabled applicants and armed forces community members who meet the minimum criteria.

Please note we may close positions before the advertised date.

Once you have applied, please check your email regularly for updates. All appointments are subject to NHS Employment Checks, and false information may result in withdrawal of offers.

No agencies, please.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.