Health Care Assistant Level 2

Job description

Job responsibilities

Come and work for one of the longest-running charities and independent hospitals in the UK. Set in a beautiful Grade II listed Victorian building with big gardens, the RHN has specially adapted facilities such as gyms and kitchens for our residents, as well as music and art therapy spaces.

The Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability is more than a hospital – we are a community in which everyone comes together to help adults with neurological disability achieve the best possible quality of life.

Job Title: Health Care Assistant Levels 2 and 3Department: Ventilation WardSalary range: £25,714-£28,296 per annum (dependant on NVQ Qualification and experience)Hours of work: 150 hours over a 4 week period (approximately 37.5 hours per week). A long shift is 12 hours.Contract Type: Permanent full time position, rotating day and night shiftsLocation: Putney, Southwest LondonClosing Date: 26th January, interview February 6th

Please note, to be eligible to apply for this role, you must have the Right to Work full time hours in the UK. We are unable to sponsor VISA applications for Health Care Assistants.

Benefits:

• Free counselling and therapy sessions and other mental wellbeing support through our partner CIC Wellbeing
• Get involved in our free on-site wellbeing programs, including weekly yoga, and monthly pottery club (we are the UK’s only hospital with its own kiln)
• Financial support services such as low-interest loans and help with savings accounts through our partnership with London Capital Credit Union
• Join our wellbeing networks to connect with people in our hospital; we have a Pride network, Women’s network, and our Race Equality network. We also have heritage events to celebrate the diversity of our workforce – most recently we had a South East Asian celebration.
• Free on-site parking (rare in London)
• More benefits: Cycle2Work scheme, tech purchase support scheme, Blue Light Card discounts, and more.

• Role Summary
• The Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability is a leading national centre of excellence, providing adult person-centred services that span the entire care pathway from post-acute rehabilitation services to end of life care, for people with complex Neuro-disability and their families, underpinned by a strong research and education programme.

The ventilation service at Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability has 2 purpose built units namely Jack Emerson Centre and Leonora Ward.  The service provides care and support of patients with neuro-disability requiring complex invasive mechanical ventilation support via a tracheostomy tube. 

You will act as an associate support worker in ventilation services patients under the supervision of Registered Nurses or Nurse Associates. You will be part of large nursing team, working alongside with our Multidisciplinary Team and Medical team to provide high quality evidence based care to our patients.

We will provide you with specialist training and on-going education support. We offer comprehensive induction programme with supervision and support from our dedicated clinical education team.

We are looking for candidates with minimum of:

• 6 -12 months Experience in healthcare field with ventilation experience. 
• NVQ L2 or L3 Qualifications or willing to undergo training 
• Possession of a care certificate or willing to undergo training

Our Promise

We have a strong commitment at the RHN to support our people's well-being and development. In 2023, we are proud to introduce our first in-house HCA Development Programme which aims to equip you with the essential knowledge, skills, and behaviours to deliver an outstanding level of patient-centred care for patients with complex neurological needs. You will learn about Brain Injury including mental health, dementia and learning disabilities, as well as understanding 'Quality of Life' including 1:1 care and escorting.

Health Care Assistant Key Responsibilities

• To assist patients with all aspects of their personal hygiene care which will include; washing, bathing, dressing, continence and mouth care whilst enabling them to be as independent with these tasks as possible.
• Working in a ventilation unit assisting patients requiring complex invasive mechanical ventilation support via a tracheostomy tube. 
• To assist with mobility including; hoisting, positioning and assisting with mobility aids.
• To support patients with eating and drinking tasks, which may include the use of adapted feeding equipment, recording of food and fluid intake and feeding patients with an impaired swallow function.
• Responsible for providing proficient communication with patients and others in challenging situations, which may include supporting patients with complex communication needs and patients who present with behavioural/emotional challenges as a result of their brain injury.
• To participate fully in a 24 hour, 7 day week staff roster, including working Bank Holidays, as required by the needs of the service. Shift patterns may vary and include split days off. A high degree of flexibility is required.

Experience and Qualifications Required:

• NVQ Level 2 or 3 (Health Care) - desirable
• At least 6 months' experience in a relevant healthcare environment in ventilation – essential
• Verbal and Numerical qualification i.e. Level 2 English & Maths - essential
• Able to carry out manual handling tasks with patients that require complex care - essential
• A health or social care related degree or equivalent qualification - desirable

Additional experience that will support your application:

• Experience working with patients with complex ventilation requirements including experience in rehabilitation of people who present with challenging behaviours, such as verbal and physical aggression, withdrawn behaviour, dis-inhibition and impulsivity.
• Previous experience or related training or qualification in management of challenging behaviours, including but not limited to de-escalation, positive reinforcement and re-direction.
• Previous experience or related training in Positive Behaviour Support and its guiding principles.
• Previous experience or related training in Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression (PMVA) and Breakaway techniques.
• Please note to avoid disappointment, we advise you to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close posts at any time

RHN is a care provider for vulnerable patients at extreme risk. In consequence, safeguarding patients will always be our highest priority.

RHN is proud to be a diverse and inclusive employer that respects and values the differences of our people to achieve their full potential. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to contact our Resourcing Team at recruitment@rhn.org.uk 

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• -------

Desirable

• NVQ Level 2 or 3 (Health Care) - desirable
• At least 6 months' experience in a relevant healthcare environment in ventilation – essential
• Verbal and Numerical qualification i.e. Level 2 English & Maths - essential
• Able to carry out manual handling tasks with patients that require complex care - essential
• A health or social care related degree or equivalent qualification - desirable

Experience

Essential

• -------

Desirable

• Additional experience that will support your application:
• Experience working with patients with complex ventilation requirements including experience in rehabilitation of people who present with challenging behaviours, such as verbal and physical aggression, withdrawn behaviour, dis-inhibition and impulsivity.
• Previous experience or related training or qualification in management of challenging behaviours, including but not limited to de-escalation, positive reinforcement and re-direction.
• Previous experience or related training in Positive Behaviour Support and its guiding principles.
• Previous experience or related training in Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression (PMVA) and Breakaway techniques.
• Please note to avoid disappointment, we advise you to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close posts at any time

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

Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability

Address

West Hill, Putney, London

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London

All UK

SW15 3SW

Employer's website

https://www.rhn.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)