Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Health Care Assistant - Outpatients

The closing date is 09 August 2025

Job summary

The outpatients team at Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals are seeking a new Health Care Assistant to join them in supporting the team!

The post-holder will carry out assigned tasks involving direct patient care in support of and supervised by a Registered Nurse.

This is an exiting opportunity to work across the 5 sites within our trust in the Outpatients Departments.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will assist trained nursing staff and Doctors with the care of patients, procedures, chaperoning and directing patients to other departments as required.

The post holder will prepare all consulting rooms ensuring the necessary documentation is available for clinicians and ensure all equipment and examination beds are cleaned and all consulting rooms are prepared prior to and on finishing each clinic.

The post holder will receive patients into clinic and provide them with the necessary information and advice as directed by the nurse in charge and provide a high standard of direct nursing care ensuring patient dignity is maintained. Be able to work under remote supervision.

About us

The Secretary of State has approved the partnership between St Helens & Knowsley and Southport & Ormskirk Hospitals.

From 1st July we have come together as a single organisation under the name Mersey & West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

The Trust delivers acute hospital care, intermediate care, community, and primary care services to a population of over 600,000 people with a combined workforce of around 9000 dedicated and skilled staff from 17 locations including Whiston, Southport & Formby, St Helens, Ormskirk and Newton hospitals.

The Trust provides regional services for burns, plastic surgery and spinal injuries to more than 4 million people across Mersey and West Lancashire, Cheshire, the Isle of Man and North Wales.

Our Vision is to deliver 5 Star Patient Care:

  • CAREthat is evidence based, high quality and compassionate
  • SAFETY that is of the highest standards
  • COMMUNICATION that is open, inclusive and respectful
  • SYSTEMS that are efficient, patient centred and reliable
  • PATHWAYS that are best practice and embedded, but also respect the individual needs of patients

Our achievements include:

  • Trust rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
  • Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
  • Awarded National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for our Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme

Please see our Wellbeing & Benefits booklet for more information on our staff benefits. Accessible version available upon request.

Details

Date posted

28 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

409-7222326

Job locations

St Helens Hospital

Marshalls Cross Road

St Helens

WA9 3DA


Job description

Job responsibilities

KEY DUTIES

  • To work as part of the Nursing Team undertaking household support tasks and direct care tasks as delegated by the Nurse in Charge.
  • To support the qualified Nursing Staff in the maintenance of high standards of nursing care to patients.
  • To assist in providing an environment within the ward that is conductive to patient recovery and pleasant for patients and their families.
  • To accept responsibility for specifically delegated functions within the ward which the Nurse in Charge feels are appropriate for untrained staff to undertake.
  • To ensure where entries are made in nursing documentation, that these are correct, legible and comprehensive and countersigned by a registered nurse.
  • To understand and adhere to all Trust Policies.
  • To ensure the Health and Safety of patients, relatives and other staff is considered and not prejudiced by the post-holder at any time.
  • To ensure that privacy and dignity of patients is paramount and is not compromised.
  • To ensure that all patient information is confidential and is not disclosed to a third party except with permission of the Nurse in Charge.
  • To report any untoward incidents/occurrences.
  • To ensure that all patient care is delivered with the highest degree of professionalism.
  • To present an appearance which gives a positive image of the Trust and a manner which is appropriate and which inspires confidence.
  • To attend specifically fire and lifting and handling lectures annually and ensure appropriate updates are attended once H.C.A. training is complete.
  • To participate in an annual performance review undertaken with the Ward Manager to identify personal development needs.

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Ensure that nursing care is appropriate, provided and is consistent with clinical guidelines.
  • To ensure confidentiality of patient information at all times.
  • To ensure the privacy and dignity of patients is paramount and not compromised.
  • To communicate effectively with staff and patients to ensure that the highest possible standard of care is provided to patients.
  • To be caring and competent and to ensure patient safety and well-being is paramount at all times.
  • In accordance with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, the post holder will actively participate in the prevention and control of infection within the capacity of their role. The Act requires the post holder to attend infection prevention and control training on induction and at regular updates and to take responsibility for the practical application of the training in the course of their work. Infection prevention and control must be included in any personal development plan and/or appraisal.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Ensure patient records are kept up to date and accurate and recording is done in line with Trust policies and procedures.

TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSBILITIES

  • To attend specifically fire and lifting and handling lectures annually and ensure appropriate updates are attended once H.C.A. training is complete.
  • To participate in an annual performance review undertaken with the Ward Manager to identify personal development needs.

Job description

Job responsibilities

KEY DUTIES

  • To work as part of the Nursing Team undertaking household support tasks and direct care tasks as delegated by the Nurse in Charge.
  • To support the qualified Nursing Staff in the maintenance of high standards of nursing care to patients.
  • To assist in providing an environment within the ward that is conductive to patient recovery and pleasant for patients and their families.
  • To accept responsibility for specifically delegated functions within the ward which the Nurse in Charge feels are appropriate for untrained staff to undertake.
  • To ensure where entries are made in nursing documentation, that these are correct, legible and comprehensive and countersigned by a registered nurse.
  • To understand and adhere to all Trust Policies.
  • To ensure the Health and Safety of patients, relatives and other staff is considered and not prejudiced by the post-holder at any time.
  • To ensure that privacy and dignity of patients is paramount and is not compromised.
  • To ensure that all patient information is confidential and is not disclosed to a third party except with permission of the Nurse in Charge.
  • To report any untoward incidents/occurrences.
  • To ensure that all patient care is delivered with the highest degree of professionalism.
  • To present an appearance which gives a positive image of the Trust and a manner which is appropriate and which inspires confidence.
  • To attend specifically fire and lifting and handling lectures annually and ensure appropriate updates are attended once H.C.A. training is complete.
  • To participate in an annual performance review undertaken with the Ward Manager to identify personal development needs.

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Ensure that nursing care is appropriate, provided and is consistent with clinical guidelines.
  • To ensure confidentiality of patient information at all times.
  • To ensure the privacy and dignity of patients is paramount and not compromised.
  • To communicate effectively with staff and patients to ensure that the highest possible standard of care is provided to patients.
  • To be caring and competent and to ensure patient safety and well-being is paramount at all times.
  • In accordance with the Health and Social Care Act 2008, the post holder will actively participate in the prevention and control of infection within the capacity of their role. The Act requires the post holder to attend infection prevention and control training on induction and at regular updates and to take responsibility for the practical application of the training in the course of their work. Infection prevention and control must be included in any personal development plan and/or appraisal.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Ensure patient records are kept up to date and accurate and recording is done in line with Trust policies and procedures.

TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSBILITIES

  • To attend specifically fire and lifting and handling lectures annually and ensure appropriate updates are attended once H.C.A. training is complete.
  • To participate in an annual performance review undertaken with the Ward Manager to identify personal development needs.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care and/or equivalent qualification, and/or equivalent experience
  • Care Certificate, or willing to work towards upon appointment

Knowledge and experience

Essential

  • Knowledge of clinical skills required to undertake the role
  • Knowledge of Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults procedures
  • Experience within a care setting

Skills

Essential

  • Excellent communication skills & effective record management
  • Ability to manage time and priorities effectively
  • Ability to work autonomously, and use own imitative when necessary

Other

Essential

  • Flexible and adaptable approach
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care and/or equivalent qualification, and/or equivalent experience
  • Care Certificate, or willing to work towards upon appointment

Knowledge and experience

Essential

  • Knowledge of clinical skills required to undertake the role
  • Knowledge of Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults procedures
  • Experience within a care setting

Skills

Essential

  • Excellent communication skills & effective record management
  • Ability to manage time and priorities effectively
  • Ability to work autonomously, and use own imitative when necessary

Other

Essential

  • Flexible and adaptable approach

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

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

St Helens Hospital

Marshalls Cross Road

St Helens

WA9 3DA


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

St Helens Hospital

Marshalls Cross Road

St Helens

WA9 3DA


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Outpatients Manager

kerry Young

kerry.bailey2@merseywestlancs.nhs.uk

0151646709

Details

Date posted

28 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

409-7222326

Job locations

St Helens Hospital

Marshalls Cross Road

St Helens

WA9 3DA


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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