Job summary
West Suffolk Hospital has an exciting opportunity for a health care Assistant to join our dynamic, friendly team in the Acute Assessment unit, if committed to developing and delivering high standards of Emergency care then we look forward to hearing from you.
At West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, we promise to put Patients First. Our commitment to every patient, every day, doing our best to ensure they feel safe, in a clean and comfortable environment with highly professional staff who work together to achieve this.
We want our patients to feel cared for, with a courteous and respectful attitude from kind and helpful staff who have the time to listen and keep them informed at every step. We want them to feel confident that their treatment is provided by skilled and compassionate teams who will involve them in their care and who understand their time is valuable.
Main duties of the job
Our AAU is a thriving, innovative, front door service consistent of 23 assessment trolleys which operates 24 hours a day, it is a fast-paced unit which cares for patients with varied medical conditions in their acute phase. The unit is part of the Same Day Emergency Care program where we deliver rapid assessment of Medical and surgical patient's including diagnostic and treatment without being admitted to a ward. They can then go home on the same day if it is clinically safe to do so.
The Acute Assessment unit will help you to develop your clinical nursing skills and support your commitment. You will be given a thorough training and development plan and the support and help of the other friendly staff in the unit.
About us
#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community
We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.
The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.
Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.
We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.
With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.
We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.
Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see full details in Job Description
Under the direction of the Registered Nurse/Assistant Practitioner on duty, the post holder will be expected to:
- Support and deliver a range of clinical activities within the work area
- To assist the Registered Nurse / Assistant Practitioner in the safe operation of the Acute Assessment Unit by utilising the appropriate skills and knowledge to maintain patient flow, safety and participate in collecting requested samples for investigations under the direct supervision of the clinician in charge of the area.
- To assist in the delivery of daily personal care activity with patients e.g. hygiene and nutritional needs, as directed in the individual plan of care needs, observing and reporting specific changes to senior staff and documenting care given
- Communicate effectively and professionally with multidisciplinary members of the care team patients and their family/carers, on care related issues
- Participate in and support the administration of audit and practice developments/initiatives in support of the service
- Provide and support training and development activity with the Nursing Assistant workforce
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see full details in Job Description
Under the direction of the Registered Nurse/Assistant Practitioner on duty, the post holder will be expected to:
- Support and deliver a range of clinical activities within the work area
- To assist the Registered Nurse / Assistant Practitioner in the safe operation of the Acute Assessment Unit by utilising the appropriate skills and knowledge to maintain patient flow, safety and participate in collecting requested samples for investigations under the direct supervision of the clinician in charge of the area.
- To assist in the delivery of daily personal care activity with patients e.g. hygiene and nutritional needs, as directed in the individual plan of care needs, observing and reporting specific changes to senior staff and documenting care given
- Communicate effectively and professionally with multidisciplinary members of the care team patients and their family/carers, on care related issues
- Participate in and support the administration of audit and practice developments/initiatives in support of the service
- Provide and support training and development activity with the Nursing Assistant workforce
Person Specification
Education & Qualification
Essential
- Level 1 qualification or equivalent in both Maths and English
- Care Certificate or commitment to undertaking and achieving the Care Certificate within initial twelve weeks
Desirable
- Vocational qualification at Level 2 in Health, Health and Social Care or sector related subject area
Experience & Knowledge
Essential
- Experience of working / communicating with the general public
- Demonstrates awareness of the 6C's, Trust values and Patients First Service Standards
- Demonstrates an awareness of the importance of keeping the clinical environment safe and clean
- Knowledge of the Data Protection Act
Desirable
- Knowledge of the Ambulatory Emergency Care and AAU purpose within the organisation
- Recent relevant experience of working in the acute healthcare environment
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to remain calm and work under pressure
- Ability to work to clear guidelines and within role boundaries
- Proficient IT skills
- Communicates clearly in writing, verbally and using the telephone
- Accurate with attention to detail
- Proficient in accurate, objective documentation
Desirable
- Venepuncture competent
- Proficient with Cerner / e-Care systems
- Able to recognise and escalate deteriorating patients to Registered Practitioner
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Team worker, who is able to prioritise effectively
- Able to cope with exposure to unpleasant smells and bodily fluids
- Flexible and adaptable, motivated with the ability to motivate others
- Awareness of own limitations
- Ability to use initiative, referring key decisions as appropriate and understanding aim limitations
- Flexible approach to working hours with the ability to work an alternating shift pattern
- Attention to detail
- Polite, respectful and professional attitude and behaviour towards staff members, patients and relatives
Person Specification
Education & Qualification
Essential
- Level 1 qualification or equivalent in both Maths and English
- Care Certificate or commitment to undertaking and achieving the Care Certificate within initial twelve weeks
Desirable
- Vocational qualification at Level 2 in Health, Health and Social Care or sector related subject area
Experience & Knowledge
Essential
- Experience of working / communicating with the general public
- Demonstrates awareness of the 6C's, Trust values and Patients First Service Standards
- Demonstrates an awareness of the importance of keeping the clinical environment safe and clean
- Knowledge of the Data Protection Act
Desirable
- Knowledge of the Ambulatory Emergency Care and AAU purpose within the organisation
- Recent relevant experience of working in the acute healthcare environment
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to remain calm and work under pressure
- Ability to work to clear guidelines and within role boundaries
- Proficient IT skills
- Communicates clearly in writing, verbally and using the telephone
- Accurate with attention to detail
- Proficient in accurate, objective documentation
Desirable
- Venepuncture competent
- Proficient with Cerner / e-Care systems
- Able to recognise and escalate deteriorating patients to Registered Practitioner
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Team worker, who is able to prioritise effectively
- Able to cope with exposure to unpleasant smells and bodily fluids
- Flexible and adaptable, motivated with the ability to motivate others
- Awareness of own limitations
- Ability to use initiative, referring key decisions as appropriate and understanding aim limitations
- Flexible approach to working hours with the ability to work an alternating shift pattern
- Attention to detail
- Polite, respectful and professional attitude and behaviour towards staff members, patients and relatives
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Address
West Suffolk Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Hardwick Lane
Bury St Edmunds
IP33 2QZ
Employer's website
https://www.wsh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
