Whittington Hospital NHS Trust

Health Care Assistant

This job is now closed

Job summary

Mercers Ward is a 18-bedded general surgical ward specialising in Bariatric, Spinal and Emergency Colorectal surgery. We are seeking highly motivated and enthusiastic Health Care Assistants to join our friendly and supportive team.

The role involves supporting the qualified nurses in all aspects of patient care from admission through to discharge. Applicants are required to be flexible, willing to learn new skills and have excellent communication skills.

Applicants must have successfully completed an NVQ in Healthcare at Level 3 or equivalent. Experience in acute environment is also essential.

For further information or informal visits please contact Fiona Witter Manager on 020 7288 3253.

Main duties of the job

POST SUMMARY:

1. The post holder will have an NVQ level 3 in care or equivalent, and have a minimum of two years experience in an acute setting.

2. The post holder will work as part of the ward team under the supervision of registered nurses, and will support them by participating in the delivery of patient care.

3. The post holder will be expected to be self-motivated and use their initiative when necessary.

3. The post holder will undertake the hospital's in house training for Health Care Assistants and will maintain an agreed level of competence.

4. The post holder will work internal rotation to meet the needs of the service.

5. It is expected that the post holder will be able to carry out all of the duties listed

in the main duty section below. No duties are to be undertaked by the post holder unless they have received the appropriate training or instruction.

About us

Whittington Health serves a richly diverse population and works hard to ensure that all our services are fair and equally accessible to everyone. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the way we look after our staff. We aim to employ a workforce which is as representative as possible of this population, so we are open to the value of differences in age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, and religion or belief. The Trust believes that as a public sector organisation we have an obligation to have recruitment, training, promotion and other formal employment policies and procedures that are sensitive to these differences. We think that by doing so, we are better able to treat our patients as well as being a better place to work.

Date posted

22 July 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£27,948 to £29,468 a year per annum inclusive of Inner London HCAs

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

220-WHT-2102-A

Job locations

Whittington Hospital

Magdala Avenue

London

N19 5NF

Job description

Job responsibilities

MAIN DUTIES

CARE

The post holder will

a. Treat all patients with dignity, respect and discretion, maintaining their confidentiality.

b. Ensure that patients personal hygiene requirements are met. This will include assisting with washes, bed bathing, assisting patients to use the shower and bath, providing mouth care and cleaning dentures.

c. Promote continence by ensuring that patients toilet needs are met. This will include the giving and taking away of bedpans and urinals, emptying catheter bags, bowel and stoma care.

d. Take and record observations of patients temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure. To monitor patients blood sugars. Any abnormalities to be reported to the qualified nurse.

e. Carry out routine urine testing, record results and report any abnormalities.

f. Collect blood and urine specimens and label as required.

g. Undertake phlebotomy after training.

h. Perform E.C.Gs after training.

i. assess pressure areas and skin integrity and report to a qualified nurse

j. Be able to prepare a patient safely for surgery and to escort them to theatre.

k. Escort patients to other departments and hospitals as necessary.

l. Summon help and assist the qualified nurse in an emergency situation. The post holder will undertake basic life support training

m. Be able to deal with patients/relatives who have barriers to understanding. Examples being not being able to speak English or having dementia.

NUTRITION

The post holder will

a. Assist in the delivery of meals and will also distribute and collate menu cards.

b. Assist in feeding patients.

c. Ensure food charts are maintained.

d. Refer patients to the dietician as applicable.

e. Monitor patients weights.

f. Order special diets as necessary

MOVING AND HANDLING

The post holder will

a. Adhere to Trust policy on moving and handling.

b. Maintain the comfort of patients confined to bed by helping to reposition them as required.

c. Assist patients with mobilising in liaison with Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Nursing Staff.

DOCUMENTATION

The post holder will

a. Complete all admission documentation in conjunction with qualified staff. (This does NOT include the actual care plan itself).

b. Ensure all written entries on documentation are clear, legible and signed. (ALL entries must be counter-signed by a qualified member of staff.)

c. Complete fluid balance charts and observation charts as required.

INFECTION CONTROL

The post holder will

a. Be aware of and adhere to the Trust guidelines relating to infection control.

b. Take steps to prevent cross infection by using universal precautions and hand washing.

c. Will wear uniform in accordance with hospital policy.

d. Assist in keeping the ward clean and tidy at all times.

e. Change bed linen as per local policy.

f. Clean beds, lockers, bed tables and general bed areas when patients are discharged or transferred.

g. Will follow the Trust policy on the safe disposal of sharps.

COMMUNICATION

The post holder will

a. Be able to communicate effectively with patients, other staff and the general public.

b. Be polite and respectful at all times.

c. Answer the phone clearly and politely and will relate any messages promptly and accurately.

d. Be willing to undergo computer training and PAS training.

OTHER DUTIES

The post holder will

a. Ensure that patients sign the disclaimer on admission and are made aware of the Trust policy in relation the safe keeping of valuables.

b. Complete the ward property book as required.

c. Report any accidents or incidents according to Trust Policy.

d. Go to other departments and collect patients belongings etc and to collect items from pharmacy.

e. Go to other areas and work as the service needs or under the direction of the manager.

Job description

Job responsibilities

MAIN DUTIES

CARE

The post holder will

a. Treat all patients with dignity, respect and discretion, maintaining their confidentiality.

c. Promote continence by ensuring that patients toilet needs are met. This will include the giving and taking away of bedpans and urinals, emptying catheter bags, bowel and stoma care.

d. Take and record observations of patients temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure. To monitor patients blood sugars. Any abnormalities to be reported to the qualified nurse.

e. Carry out routine urine testing, record results and report any abnormalities.

f. Collect blood and urine specimens and label as required.

g. Undertake phlebotomy after training.

h. Perform E.C.Gs after training.

i. assess pressure areas and skin integrity and report to a qualified nurse

j. Be able to prepare a patient safely for surgery and to escort them to theatre.

k. Escort patients to other departments and hospitals as necessary.

l. Summon help and assist the qualified nurse in an emergency situation. The post holder will undertake basic life support training

m. Be able to deal with patients/relatives who have barriers to understanding. Examples being not being able to speak English or having dementia.

NUTRITION

The post holder will

a. Assist in the delivery of meals and will also distribute and collate menu cards.

b. Assist in feeding patients.

c. Ensure food charts are maintained.

d. Refer patients to the dietician as applicable.

e. Monitor patients weights.

f. Order special diets as necessary

MOVING AND HANDLING

The post holder will

a. Adhere to Trust policy on moving and handling.

b. Maintain the comfort of patients confined to bed by helping to reposition them as required.

c. Assist patients with mobilising in liaison with Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Nursing Staff.

DOCUMENTATION

The post holder will

a. Complete all admission documentation in conjunction with qualified staff. (This does NOT include the actual care plan itself).

b. Ensure all written entries on documentation are clear, legible and signed. (ALL entries must be counter-signed by a qualified member of staff.)

c. Complete fluid balance charts and observation charts as required.

INFECTION CONTROL

The post holder will

a. Be aware of and adhere to the Trust guidelines relating to infection control.

b. Take steps to prevent cross infection by using universal precautions and hand washing.

c. Will wear uniform in accordance with hospital policy.

d. Assist in keeping the ward clean and tidy at all times.

e. Change bed linen as per local policy.

f. Clean beds, lockers, bed tables and general bed areas when patients are discharged or transferred.

g. Will follow the Trust policy on the safe disposal of sharps.

COMMUNICATION

The post holder will

a. Be able to communicate effectively with patients, other staff and the general public.

b. Be polite and respectful at all times.

c. Answer the phone clearly and politely and will relate any messages promptly and accurately.

d. Be willing to undergo computer training and PAS training.

OTHER DUTIES

The post holder will

a. Ensure that patients sign the disclaimer on admission and are made aware of the Trust policy in relation the safe keeping of valuables.

b. Complete the ward property book as required.

c. Report any accidents or incidents according to Trust Policy.

d. Go to other departments and collect patients belongings etc and to collect items from pharmacy.

e. Go to other areas and work as the service needs or under the direction of the manager.

Person Specification

Essential

Ability to communicate with clarity

Desirable

Has a minimum of two years experience in an acute setting

Essential

Experience in an acute setting
Have an understanding of the need for maintaining dignity, privacy and confidentiality

Desirable

Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team

Essential

Ability to carry out care duties
NVQ in care Level 3 or equivalent

Desirable

Demonstrates flexible and positive approach , reliable and has good time keeping
Self motivated to develop skills and knowledge
Computer skills / knowledge

Person Specification

Essential

Ability to communicate with clarity

Desirable

Has a minimum of two years experience in an acute setting

Essential

Experience in an acute setting
Have an understanding of the need for maintaining dignity, privacy and confidentiality

Desirable

Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team

Essential

Ability to carry out care duties
NVQ in care Level 3 or equivalent

Desirable

Demonstrates flexible and positive approach , reliable and has good time keeping
Self motivated to develop skills and knowledge
Computer skills / knowledge

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

Employer name

Whittington Hospital NHS Trust

Address

Whittington Hospital

Magdala Avenue

London

N19 5NF

Employer's website

https://www.whittington.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Whittington Hospital NHS Trust

Address

Whittington Hospital

Magdala Avenue

London

N19 5NF

Employer's website

https://www.whittington.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)