Senior Health Care Assistant

Wrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

This job is now closed

Job summary

We are seeking a Senior Health Care Assistant to work on Shevington Ward on a fixed term basis covering Maternity Leave.

We will be looking for enthusiasm, drive and passion where the delivery of outstanding levels of care can be nurtured. You will have excellent communication skills and the flexibility and adaptability to meet the needs of this busy area.

The successful candidate will be efficient, reliable and be able to work using their own initiative whilst being part of a team.You will be a motivated and confident healthcare assistant dedicated to assisting in the delivery and the development of an excellent service.

This vacancy is open to all internal and external candidates. NHS Employees should ideally secure their manager's agreement for a secondment arrangement ideally prior to applying, as this will be a condition of any offer made.

This vacancy is advertised on a fixed term basis and will end on 18th March 2024 or when the substantive post holder returns. Whilst this post is advertised on an fixed term / secondment basis there is the potential that this post may become permanent in the future

The role will require you to work across all areas in the Trust which includes those that are designated as positive, asymptomatic and negative COVID wards.

Main duties of the job

You will be responsible for providing a range of personal care for patients and a range of clinical duties under the guidance of a registered healthcare professional.

Senior Health Care Assistants work independently performing a number of clinical duties/tasks following training and meeting competency within role as per policy and procedure.

Senior Health Care Assistants will be responsible for providing a range of personal care for patents and a range of clinical duties under the guidance of a registered healthcare professional.

About us

Choose Well - Choose WWL

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust are the proud providers of acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, we value our staff believing that 'happy staff, makes for happy patients'. We have a recognised track record in staff engagement, and living our values 'the WWL Way'.

WWL are committed to placing the patient at the heart of everything we do, and in the provision of safe, effective care that acknowledges and ensures dignity. With this in mind we are seeking to recruit people who share our values and beliefs.

Date posted

22 May 2023

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£22,816 to £24,336 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

11 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

302-23-5240158M

Job locations

Royal Albert Edward Infirmary

Wigan Lane

Wigan

WN1 2NN

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key results from the job holder

Working under the direction of a Registered Health Care Professional, participate in the clinical care provided to patients prioritising workload appropriately and developing competencies that safeguard practice and effectiveness in role.
Have proficient attitudes and behaviours compatible with NHS and Trust Values.
Work as part of a designated clinical and care team delivering care that focuses on the direct needs of the individual.
Assist patients with personal hygiene, toileting and use of continence aids.
Support Moving and Handling, use of mobility aids, correct patient positioning, assess pressure areas and skin integrity.
Developing positive relationships with parents, families and carers.
Be aware of the patients needs emotional, social, physical, and cultural. Respect privacy, dignity and beliefs. Acts in a way that supports equality and diversity values.
Work as part of the team in a co-operative, professional and constructive manner.
Be actively involved in health promotion such as:

- Reducing obesity
- Smoking cessation
Maintain confidentiality at all times.
Report any information regarding the well-being of the patients to the Registered Health Care Professional in a timely manner.
Support individuals who are distressed.
Manage and organise time and activities to support and meet the needs of individuals.
To empower patients and their families to make their own decisions about health and choices.
Assist with dietary needs of the patient as required.
To undertake safe venepuncture and cannulation as requested by the Registered Health Care Professional and have competencies checked annually by a Registered Healthcare Professional.
At the request of the Registered Health Care Professional, perform and record physiological measurements within the remit of the SHCA role and report accurately to the Registered Health Care Professional, the assessment undertaken, on patients.
Obtaining samples at the request of a Registered Health Care Professional, including wound swabs, eye swabs, urine specimens, MRSA swabs, stool samples and sputum specimens.
To assist in blood collection.
Assist the Registered Health Care Professional in maintaining a clean environment.
Following the completion of appropriate training and assessment and under the direction of a registered health care professional undertake clinical activities such as ECG recording, urinalysis, changing of simple wound dressings and capillary blood glucose monitoring.
Female insertion of catheters, catheter care, removal of catheters stoma care, measuring and monitoring patient outputs.
Provide and receive sensitive information concerning a patients medical condition.
Work with the registered heath care professional and engage with other agencies and community teams to ensure a safe, individualised approach to the admission and discharge of patients.
Act in accordance with all organisational policies and procedures and within expected values and behaviours.
Actively participate in and attend ward/unit meetings.
Demonstrate good understanding of principles of consent and ensure valid consent is obtained prior to undertaking nursing and care procedures.
Demonstrate good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act / Deprivation of Liberties and applies principles to everyday practice seeking advice / guidance from the registered healthcare professional as required.
Promote health and safety maintaining best practice in health, safety and security.
Share ideas with colleagues to improve care and suggest areas for innovation.
Participate in audit activities being undertaken in area of practice.
Contribute to the improvement of service by reflecting on own practice and supporting that of others.
Adhere to legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines both local and national Regularly attend workplace and staff engagement meetings and contribute positively to discussions about the improvement of care.
Post holders are required to work independently with regard to routine, delegated tasks, following established good practice and refer non-routine tasks appropriately. Work is supervised and evaluated on a routine basis. To follow treatment plans as prescribed by Registered Health Care Professionals and identify select activities that meet treatment goals.

Training

The role that Senior Healthcare Assistant (SHCA) can play includes the life-course (pre-conception to end of life) approaches towards health and well-being and the ways in which they actively contribute to the delivery of holistic care. Holistic care, across life-course, is a whole-person approach which considers, and equally values, physical, psychological and public health needs, learning disabilities, social, economic, spiritual and other factors in the delivery of care.

To undertake procedures as directed by a Registered Health Care Professional after successfully completing an Accredited NVQ 3 (or equivalent) programme or Senior Health Care Assistant Apprenticeship.
Undertake Mandatory training updates.
Maintain own level of competence and ongoing CPD.
Undertake role specific training for onward development of the role.

Communications and Key Working Relationships

Maintain accurate and timely records.
Ensure smooth running of the team through facilitation of administrative support, including stock levels.
Effective verbal communication with all members of the multidisciplinary team.
Provide general non-clinical advice, information and guidance to patients, relatives and visitors.
Communicate effectively with dignity and respect to all patients, relatives and others giving consideration to potential barriers to understanding.
Communicate effectively with colleagues, providing clear verbal, digital or written information and instructions when sharing information, delegating or handing over responsibility for care.
Recognise and report any situations, behaviours or errors that could result in poor care outcomes.
Report accidents, incidents, near misses or complaints following Trust policies/procedures.
Contribute to a culture where all staff feel safe to raise their concerns [and that] speaking up about what these are is a normal part of their routine.
To assist in information collection from patients/ relatives as requested by trained staff.
To use communication tools (verbal and non verbal) to gain informed consent with patients where there will often be barriers to effective communication e.g. loss of hearing, altered perception, expressive and receptive dysphasia, pain, fear etc.
To assess capacity, gain valid consent and have the ability to work within a legal framework with patients who lack consent to treatment.
To priorities tasks allocated and adjust as necessary.
To ensure that documentation is completed in accordance with Trust and departmental requirements.
To be responsible for some degree of housekeeping and stock control on the Unit.

Responsibility for Finance

Participate in ensuring effective use of all financial resources in providing and delivering an effective service.
Exercise personal duty of care in the safe use and storage of equipment.
Be environmentally aware and prudent in use of resources and energy.

Responsibility for Human Resources

Adhere to Trust policies/ procedures and guidelines.
Ensure a neat and professional appearance at all times, adhering to Trust Uniform Policy.
Demonstrate own duties to new or less experienced staff.
Support development of less experienced staff and students.

Responsibility for Health & Safety

To work according to the WWL NHS Trust Lone worker Policy.
To report Faulty equipment to the Team leader/ Ward manager/ Registered Health Care Professional.
To report to the Team Leader /Ward manager, Registered Health Care Professional any health and safety concerns.
Report to the Team Leader/Ward manager, Registered Health Care Professional any complaints or untoward events as soon as possible.
Compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 the post holder is required to fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, the taking of appropriate actions and reporting of all incidents, near misses and hazards, and a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.
All staff have a duty of care to safeguard and protect vulnerable adults, babies children and young people.
Awareness of the Trust Vulnerable Adults and Child Protection Policy/ Guidelines.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key results from the job holder

Working under the direction of a Registered Health Care Professional, participate in the clinical care provided to patients prioritising workload appropriately and developing competencies that safeguard practice and effectiveness in role.
Have proficient attitudes and behaviours compatible with NHS and Trust Values.
Work as part of a designated clinical and care team delivering care that focuses on the direct needs of the individual.
Assist patients with personal hygiene, toileting and use of continence aids.
Support Moving and Handling, use of mobility aids, correct patient positioning, assess pressure areas and skin integrity.
Developing positive relationships with parents, families and carers.
Be aware of the patients needs emotional, social, physical, and cultural. Respect privacy, dignity and beliefs. Acts in a way that supports equality and diversity values.
Work as part of the team in a co-operative, professional and constructive manner.
Be actively involved in health promotion such as:

- Reducing obesity
- Smoking cessation
Maintain confidentiality at all times.
Report any information regarding the well-being of the patients to the Registered Health Care Professional in a timely manner.
Support individuals who are distressed.
Manage and organise time and activities to support and meet the needs of individuals.
To empower patients and their families to make their own decisions about health and choices.
Assist with dietary needs of the patient as required.
To undertake safe venepuncture and cannulation as requested by the Registered Health Care Professional and have competencies checked annually by a Registered Healthcare Professional.
At the request of the Registered Health Care Professional, perform and record physiological measurements within the remit of the SHCA role and report accurately to the Registered Health Care Professional, the assessment undertaken, on patients.
Obtaining samples at the request of a Registered Health Care Professional, including wound swabs, eye swabs, urine specimens, MRSA swabs, stool samples and sputum specimens.
To assist in blood collection.
Assist the Registered Health Care Professional in maintaining a clean environment.
Following the completion of appropriate training and assessment and under the direction of a registered health care professional undertake clinical activities such as ECG recording, urinalysis, changing of simple wound dressings and capillary blood glucose monitoring.
Female insertion of catheters, catheter care, removal of catheters stoma care, measuring and monitoring patient outputs.
Provide and receive sensitive information concerning a patients medical condition.
Work with the registered heath care professional and engage with other agencies and community teams to ensure a safe, individualised approach to the admission and discharge of patients.
Act in accordance with all organisational policies and procedures and within expected values and behaviours.
Actively participate in and attend ward/unit meetings.
Demonstrate good understanding of principles of consent and ensure valid consent is obtained prior to undertaking nursing and care procedures.
Demonstrate good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act / Deprivation of Liberties and applies principles to everyday practice seeking advice / guidance from the registered healthcare professional as required.
Promote health and safety maintaining best practice in health, safety and security.
Share ideas with colleagues to improve care and suggest areas for innovation.
Participate in audit activities being undertaken in area of practice.
Contribute to the improvement of service by reflecting on own practice and supporting that of others.
Adhere to legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines both local and national Regularly attend workplace and staff engagement meetings and contribute positively to discussions about the improvement of care.
Post holders are required to work independently with regard to routine, delegated tasks, following established good practice and refer non-routine tasks appropriately. Work is supervised and evaluated on a routine basis. To follow treatment plans as prescribed by Registered Health Care Professionals and identify select activities that meet treatment goals.

Training

To undertake procedures as directed by a Registered Health Care Professional after successfully completing an Accredited NVQ 3 (or equivalent) programme or Senior Health Care Assistant Apprenticeship.
Undertake Mandatory training updates.
Maintain own level of competence and ongoing CPD.
Undertake role specific training for onward development of the role.

Communications and Key Working Relationships

Maintain accurate and timely records.
Ensure smooth running of the team through facilitation of administrative support, including stock levels.
Effective verbal communication with all members of the multidisciplinary team.
Provide general non-clinical advice, information and guidance to patients, relatives and visitors.
Communicate effectively with dignity and respect to all patients, relatives and others giving consideration to potential barriers to understanding.
Communicate effectively with colleagues, providing clear verbal, digital or written information and instructions when sharing information, delegating or handing over responsibility for care.
Recognise and report any situations, behaviours or errors that could result in poor care outcomes.
Report accidents, incidents, near misses or complaints following Trust policies/procedures.
Contribute to a culture where all staff feel safe to raise their concerns [and that] speaking up about what these are is a normal part of their routine.
To assist in information collection from patients/ relatives as requested by trained staff.
To use communication tools (verbal and non verbal) to gain informed consent with patients where there will often be barriers to effective communication e.g. loss of hearing, altered perception, expressive and receptive dysphasia, pain, fear etc.
To assess capacity, gain valid consent and have the ability to work within a legal framework with patients who lack consent to treatment.
To priorities tasks allocated and adjust as necessary.
To ensure that documentation is completed in accordance with Trust and departmental requirements.
To be responsible for some degree of housekeeping and stock control on the Unit.

Responsibility for Finance

Participate in ensuring effective use of all financial resources in providing and delivering an effective service.
Exercise personal duty of care in the safe use and storage of equipment.
Be environmentally aware and prudent in use of resources and energy.

Responsibility for Human Resources

Adhere to Trust policies/ procedures and guidelines.
Ensure a neat and professional appearance at all times, adhering to Trust Uniform Policy.
Demonstrate own duties to new or less experienced staff.
Support development of less experienced staff and students.

Responsibility for Health & Safety

To work according to the WWL NHS Trust Lone worker Policy.
To report Faulty equipment to the Team leader/ Ward manager/ Registered Health Care Professional.
To report to the Team Leader /Ward manager, Registered Health Care Professional any health and safety concerns.
Report to the Team Leader/Ward manager, Registered Health Care Professional any complaints or untoward events as soon as possible.
Compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 the post holder is required to fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, the taking of appropriate actions and reporting of all incidents, near misses and hazards, and a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.
All staff have a duty of care to safeguard and protect vulnerable adults, babies children and young people.
Awareness of the Trust Vulnerable Adults and Child Protection Policy/ Guidelines.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

GCSE English Language and Maths A to C or 4 -9 or functional skills or equivalent.
Good level of written Language and IT Skills
NVQ 2 or equivalent
NVQ Level 3 or equivalent or willing to undertake an apprenticeship in Senior Heathcare Support Worker
Cavendish Care Certificate
Evidence of ongoing CPD

Experience

Essential

To demonstrate a range of procedures and practices base level of theoretical knowledge
Demonstrate through previous experience the ability to escalate concerns
Ability to work in Multi agency team.
Ability to work alone or in small team
Ability to work with staff from a diverse range of backgrounds
Experience working in a health, social or residential care inpatient /community/social or residential services setting
Previous experience of being a Health Care Support Worker

Skills

Essential

Ability to support patients and families
Plan and prioritise own workload
Knowledge of working with adults and their families
Ability to undertake extended tasks appropriate to competence
Confidence to work flexibly and to challenge established ways of working and organisational structures
Contribute to the ongoing assessment and planning during the patients care episode.
Demonstrate the promotion of equality, diversity and rights of others
Ability to complete patient records in accordance with policies and procedures
Able to manage and organise own time effectively

Knowledge

Essential

Knowledge of supporting patients and their families

Additional

Essential

Speak English to an appropriate standard relevant to their role, i.e. with confidence and accuracy, using correct sentence structures and vocabulary, and without hesitation
Willingness to train and develop
Ability to work in challenging situations
Demonstrate understanding of Health & Safety including Risk Assessment procedures as application to role/environment.
Demonstrate the application of confidentiality and Data Protection Legislation

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

GCSE English Language and Maths A to C or 4 -9 or functional skills or equivalent.
Good level of written Language and IT Skills
NVQ 2 or equivalent
NVQ Level 3 or equivalent or willing to undertake an apprenticeship in Senior Heathcare Support Worker
Cavendish Care Certificate
Evidence of ongoing CPD

Experience

Essential

To demonstrate a range of procedures and practices base level of theoretical knowledge
Demonstrate through previous experience the ability to escalate concerns
Ability to work in Multi agency team.
Ability to work alone or in small team
Ability to work with staff from a diverse range of backgrounds
Experience working in a health, social or residential care inpatient /community/social or residential services setting
Previous experience of being a Health Care Support Worker

Skills

Essential

Ability to support patients and families
Plan and prioritise own workload
Knowledge of working with adults and their families
Ability to undertake extended tasks appropriate to competence
Confidence to work flexibly and to challenge established ways of working and organisational structures
Contribute to the ongoing assessment and planning during the patients care episode.
Demonstrate the promotion of equality, diversity and rights of others
Ability to complete patient records in accordance with policies and procedures
Able to manage and organise own time effectively

Knowledge

Essential

Knowledge of supporting patients and their families

Additional

Essential

Speak English to an appropriate standard relevant to their role, i.e. with confidence and accuracy, using correct sentence structures and vocabulary, and without hesitation
Willingness to train and develop
Ability to work in challenging situations
Demonstrate understanding of Health & Safety including Risk Assessment procedures as application to role/environment.
Demonstrate the application of confidentiality and Data Protection Legislation

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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