Job summary
West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust is excited to announce a new and exciting role for Ambulance Health Care Assistants (AHCA) on a 12-month secondment (for current WMAS staff) or 12 month fixed term opportunity for external applicants within the Birmingham Acute Hospitals (Queen Elizabeth / Good Hope / Heartlands)
(Please note, internal staff must obtain Management support evidence which must be completed and returned to the Recruitment Team via email (recruitment@wmas.nhs.uk)
The post holder will work as part of the team under the supervision of Trained Clinician and will participate in the delivery of patient centred care, maintaining a compassionate and professional attitude at all times. Contribute to the department organisation and support Trained Clinicians in the provision of a caring and safe environment
For applicants who are interested in building on their career within the Ambulance Service as a Student Paramedic, the trust will also support applicants who require a level 3 qualification in order to be able to apply (this qualification must be completed within your own time)
Applications for part time working will also be accepted for this post
Main duties of the job
The post holder will demonstrate competence in generic and specialist skills as required within a time frame agreed with their manager following the completion of appropriate training and education. The AHCA will function at a competency level in line with the requirements of the post and achieve and maintain both mandatory and statutory training requirements associated with the role
Applicants must hold a good standard of general education with a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade C or above including English & Maths (literacy & numeracy). Consideration will be given to applicants who do not currently hold GCSE maths but hold level 1 Maths and are willing to undertake level 2 numeracy which will be completed within the first 6 months of employment (within your own time)
If this position involves a regulated activity it will require an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check. The disclosure will, where appropriate to the role, include information against the Independent Safeguarding Authority barred lists for working with children, adults or both
Where a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check is required for the post, applicants are required to cover the cost of the check. The cost of £42.50 for an enhanced check is payable to our online provider at the time that the DBS application is submitted. Upon receipt of your DBS you will then be required to sign up to the DBS online update service.
About us
West Midlands Ambulance Service positively welcomes diversity and aims to be a truly inclusive place to work. We are looking for self-motivated, enthusiastic people from all backgrounds that care about making a difference.
The Trust is currently under-represented in terms of people from BME backgrounds and welcomes applicants from these communities. Selection will be on a basis of merit. The Trust has achieved the status of a Disability Confident Leader and guarantees to invite to assessment applicants who meet the criteria for the job vacancy. To ensure the diversity of the workforce and understand the differing needs of our communities, the Trust is committed to the principles of Positive Action.
If you wish to discuss and adjustments that you may need for the role of the assessment process prior to your application, then please do not hesitate to contact the recruitment team
The Trust is proud to support our Armed Forces community and have signed up to the Step Into Health initiative. We welcome applications from Armed Forces Veterans and Service leavers.
We do endeavour to respond to all candidates on an individual basis. Therefore we do ask for your co-operation and patience whilst the short listing process takes place. After the closing date please ensure you check your emails (including junk mail) & NHS Jobs account regularly as contact is usually made via this method.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Work cooperatively as part of the
multi-disciplinary team supporting colleagues in work associated with patient
care.
Complete patient observations which will
require frequent use of tactical persuasive skills with empathy and reassurance.
Be responsible for providing personal
care to patients
Handle cash and valuables in line with
trust policies
Will be frequently exposed to unpleasant
conditions including Body Odours, Body Fluids and Soiled Clothing
Will be required to have good physical
health to enable accurate competency in moving and handling patients including Hospital
Trollies and Wheelchairs.
Be able to provide and manage complex
sensitive information always maintaining professionalism and ensuring data
protection guidance is met
Will be able to maintain frequent
concentration in an ever-changing environment which at times will be unpredictable
due to the flow of patients through the department.
Manage stressful situations under the
supervision of registered Health Care Professional when patients in their care
may become critically unwell
Understand own level of responsibility
and accountability in relation to registered staff.
Communicate clearly, effectively and
appropriately with the multidisciplinary team, patients and their family.
Through practice demonstrate an
understanding of Duty of Care and how this contributes to safe practices.
To assess patients in line with their
scope of practice and to seek assistance when required
To select and then use appropriate
lifting and handling equipment to enable the patient to be moved following
manual handling guidelines.
To adhere to
Infection Control Policies and Procedures, ensuring that the working
environment is cleaned regularly.
Maintain a
continuous professional development portfolio
Employ
emergency aid procedures, including basic life support skills when required
within your scope of practice including Defibrillation and the administration
of oxygen to patients in line with West Midlands Ambulance Service protocols.
Presentation at
all times of a smart appearance incorporating current regulations relating to
the wearing of uniforms.
Assist and as required provide patients
with personal care
The post holder will be required to
attend all training courses as and when required in order to acquire additional
skills and competencies as needed
Following appropriate training and
supervised practice, undertake identified competency based practices which are
required for the department, after such tasks have been delegated to them by a Trained
Clinician.
Identify learning and development needs
and produce a personal development plans in conjunction with your line manager
/ supervisor.
Achieve and maintain competence in
mandatory and statutory training associated with the role.
Complete documentation of care in line with the Trust
Standards for Documentation
Job description
Job responsibilities
Work cooperatively as part of the
multi-disciplinary team supporting colleagues in work associated with patient
care.
Complete patient observations which will
require frequent use of tactical persuasive skills with empathy and reassurance.
Be responsible for providing personal
care to patients
Handle cash and valuables in line with
trust policies
Will be frequently exposed to unpleasant
conditions including Body Odours, Body Fluids and Soiled Clothing
Will be required to have good physical
health to enable accurate competency in moving and handling patients including Hospital
Trollies and Wheelchairs.
Be able to provide and manage complex
sensitive information always maintaining professionalism and ensuring data
protection guidance is met
Will be able to maintain frequent
concentration in an ever-changing environment which at times will be unpredictable
due to the flow of patients through the department.
Manage stressful situations under the
supervision of registered Health Care Professional when patients in their care
may become critically unwell
Understand own level of responsibility
and accountability in relation to registered staff.
Communicate clearly, effectively and
appropriately with the multidisciplinary team, patients and their family.
Through practice demonstrate an
understanding of Duty of Care and how this contributes to safe practices.
To assess patients in line with their
scope of practice and to seek assistance when required
To select and then use appropriate
lifting and handling equipment to enable the patient to be moved following
manual handling guidelines.
To adhere to
Infection Control Policies and Procedures, ensuring that the working
environment is cleaned regularly.
Maintain a
continuous professional development portfolio
Employ
emergency aid procedures, including basic life support skills when required
within your scope of practice including Defibrillation and the administration
of oxygen to patients in line with West Midlands Ambulance Service protocols.
Presentation at
all times of a smart appearance incorporating current regulations relating to
the wearing of uniforms.
Assist and as required provide patients
with personal care
The post holder will be required to
attend all training courses as and when required in order to acquire additional
skills and competencies as needed
Following appropriate training and
supervised practice, undertake identified competency based practices which are
required for the department, after such tasks have been delegated to them by a Trained
Clinician.
Identify learning and development needs
and produce a personal development plans in conjunction with your line manager
/ supervisor.
Achieve and maintain competence in
mandatory and statutory training associated with the role.
Complete documentation of care in line with the Trust
Standards for Documentation
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A good standard of education with a minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade C or above (or the equivalent of) including numeracy and literacy
- OR successfully completed a Patient Carer course/NVQ 2 Care qualifications
- Must be willing to undergo training necessary to fulfil the duties of the post
- Ability to manage own studying/training
Experience
Essential
- Have 1 year minimum Patient Care experience OR Be a Community First Responder with WMAS (any Locality) with a minimum of 2 years experience in this role.
- OR
- Experience of working within a public service or customer care environment.
- Lifting & Handling experience
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to take clinical responsibility when necessary
- Ability to undertake manual handling of patients/equipment as required
- Organisational skills
- Ability to conduct rapid risk assessments when required
- Ability to manage sensitive information
- Ability to provide personal care in unpleasant environment Body Odours Bodily Fluids
- Excellent communication skills at all levels (both verbally & in writing)
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A good standard of education with a minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade C or above (or the equivalent of) including numeracy and literacy
- OR successfully completed a Patient Carer course/NVQ 2 Care qualifications
- Must be willing to undergo training necessary to fulfil the duties of the post
- Ability to manage own studying/training
Experience
Essential
- Have 1 year minimum Patient Care experience OR Be a Community First Responder with WMAS (any Locality) with a minimum of 2 years experience in this role.
- OR
- Experience of working within a public service or customer care environment.
- Lifting & Handling experience
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to take clinical responsibility when necessary
- Ability to undertake manual handling of patients/equipment as required
- Organisational skills
- Ability to conduct rapid risk assessments when required
- Ability to manage sensitive information
- Ability to provide personal care in unpleasant environment Body Odours Bodily Fluids
- Excellent communication skills at all levels (both verbally & in writing)
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.
