Job summary
Up to 30 hours per week.
Join a dedicated team providing health care support for Acute Virtual Ward patients' in their homes across Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon. This part time role (up to
30.00 hours per week, 7.5-hour shifts) is ideal for an experienced and motivated health care assistant eager to contribute to a growing Urgent Care Nursing service.
You will deliver high-quality, patient-centered care in the
community, helping individuals remain safe and independent at home while
supporting their health and wellbeing. The role involves utilising clinical
skills and expertise within the Urgent Care Nursing Service.
We seek a health care assistant with some clinical knowledge, sound judgement,
and the ability to work autonomously and collaboratively in a forward-thinking
team.
You will need the ability to working autonomously demonstrating initiative and passion.
Livewell is dedicated to produce a competent workforce; by
offering career progression and in return we expect commitment from all our
staff. If you feel you have ambition, courage and energy to meet the health and
social care challenges ahead.
All Livewell staff are expected to be able and willing to work
across a 7 day service.
Please note that Livewell may close the job advertisement earlier
than the specified deadline.
Main duties of the job
Responsible for the delivery of high quality care for patients within their homes.
Liaise with the nurse in charge and referral coordinator within the Urgent care nursing service team, and willbe supported by senior clinicians & clinical manager.
Responsible for effectively assessing, monitoring & escalating concerns regarding patient care using SBAR tool.
To prevent & reduce hospital admissions & minimise
hospital lengths of stay by supporting the multi disciplinary team with care planning using clinical skills such as observations using NEWS 2, venepuncture and ECG's.
Responsible for reporting to senior clinician on duty.
The Urgent Care Nursing team work on a flexible rota shift system.
The service covers 24 hours per day over seven days a week. However the Acute Virtual Ward health care assistant role runs from 08:30 - 17:00, this post is for 8 hour
shift per day.
The post holder will need to travel and attend to service users
based across Plymouth and other geographical areas. Full and valid driving
licence and access to a car for work purposes is required. Reasonable
adjustments under the Equality Act will be taken into account for the
successful applicant.
Able to provide the interface between hospital, primary care,
community & social care settings
Please note that this role may be eligible for sponsorship
under the Skilled Worker route, please refer to the Direct Gov website for
information
About us
Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social
enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across
Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of
Devon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports
centres, and health hubs.
As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values,kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and
collaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, while
empowering staff and those we serve.
We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, in
shaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the right
time and place. Centering our work on individual needs helps people lead
healthy, independent lives.
We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, training
pathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the Care
Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorship
programs ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.
Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all
sections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mental
health, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities. If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during the
application process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Virtual ward is a safe and
efficient alternative to NHS bedded care. Virtual wards support patients who would otherwise be in hospital to
receive the acute care and treatment they need in their own home. This includes
either preventing avoidable admissions into hospital or supporting early
discharge out of hospital.
The post holder will carry out duties working
independently or alongside the registered nurse and other members of the MDT
team within Plymouth, South Hams and West Devon undertaking urgent clinical
nursing skills to patients in their own homes, care homes or other community
locations.
On
completion of competencies the role will include assisting nursing and members
of MDT using clinical procedures including, venepuncture, Male and female
urethral catheterisation, 12 lead ECG recording, Simple wound care and aseptic
technique, delivery of medications. Good
communication skills with patients and colleagues and the ability to organise
allocated work is an essential component of this post.
To
plan, organise, prioritise and adjust own case load in relation to patient
requirement, indirectly supported by Registered Nurse or MDT team. To be
responsible for accurately documenting patient visits and contacts and ensuring
this information is communicated to the appropriate team.
Referrals will be obtained from Virtual
ward, Secondary Care, GPs, Community District Nursing Teams, PPG via 111, SWAST
and other appropriate services.
The
post holder will be able to provide holistic evidence based / best practice
care to patients in accordance with National and Organisational approved
policies/procedures and individual care plans.
Work autonomously and unsupervised
in the community setting, recognising the risks associated with lone working,
both clinically and socially and work proactively to reduce those risks. To manage, under
indirect supervision, own workload within competencies of the post.
Work as an autonomous practitioner,
managing and prioritising delegated workload according to local guidelines and
identified need. Working in a variety of
community settings, exercising a high level of judgement, discretion and
decision making in clinical care.
Work within challenging and
unpredictable environments e.g. patients homes, which may have constraints and
require adaptability
Supporting other members of the team
in their planning of patient care.
Provides support and advice to
patients carers and relatives (on patients conditions and prognosis) where
appropriate.
Able
to recognise the importance of health education and teaching of patients and
carers, and to be able to advise and refer patients on where to access
information.
Following
patient assessment, undertake clinical skills specific to individual competence
under indirect supervision.
Ability
to undertake a range of agreed competency based diagnostic tests including
Venepuncture & point of care testing, Urethral Catheterisation, 12 Lead ECG
and bladder scanning. This list is not exhaustive.
Responsibility for reviewing care
delivery and maintaining records in accordance with local and with organisational
guidelines.
Maintain
accurate records, which are confidential, up to date, legible and that all care
given is documented. These records may be paper or IT based system and must be
maintained as specified in the Organisation Policies, NMC guidelines and
Government directives. Works as part of a
multi-disciplinary team
Acts as patient representative to
facilitate appropriate care pathways which involves effective communication to
peers, other specialist practitioners, GPs and Consultants.
To adhere to infection
control policies and guidance.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Virtual ward is a safe and
efficient alternative to NHS bedded care. Virtual wards support patients who would otherwise be in hospital to
receive the acute care and treatment they need in their own home. This includes
either preventing avoidable admissions into hospital or supporting early
discharge out of hospital.
The post holder will carry out duties working
independently or alongside the registered nurse and other members of the MDT
team within Plymouth, South Hams and West Devon undertaking urgent clinical
nursing skills to patients in their own homes, care homes or other community
locations.
On
completion of competencies the role will include assisting nursing and members
of MDT using clinical procedures including, venepuncture, Male and female
urethral catheterisation, 12 lead ECG recording, Simple wound care and aseptic
technique, delivery of medications. Good
communication skills with patients and colleagues and the ability to organise
allocated work is an essential component of this post.
To
plan, organise, prioritise and adjust own case load in relation to patient
requirement, indirectly supported by Registered Nurse or MDT team. To be
responsible for accurately documenting patient visits and contacts and ensuring
this information is communicated to the appropriate team.
Referrals will be obtained from Virtual
ward, Secondary Care, GPs, Community District Nursing Teams, PPG via 111, SWAST
and other appropriate services.
The
post holder will be able to provide holistic evidence based / best practice
care to patients in accordance with National and Organisational approved
policies/procedures and individual care plans.
Work autonomously and unsupervised
in the community setting, recognising the risks associated with lone working,
both clinically and socially and work proactively to reduce those risks. To manage, under
indirect supervision, own workload within competencies of the post.
Work as an autonomous practitioner,
managing and prioritising delegated workload according to local guidelines and
identified need. Working in a variety of
community settings, exercising a high level of judgement, discretion and
decision making in clinical care.
Work within challenging and
unpredictable environments e.g. patients homes, which may have constraints and
require adaptability
Supporting other members of the team
in their planning of patient care.
Provides support and advice to
patients carers and relatives (on patients conditions and prognosis) where
appropriate.
Able
to recognise the importance of health education and teaching of patients and
carers, and to be able to advise and refer patients on where to access
information.
Following
patient assessment, undertake clinical skills specific to individual competence
under indirect supervision.
Ability
to undertake a range of agreed competency based diagnostic tests including
Venepuncture & point of care testing, Urethral Catheterisation, 12 Lead ECG
and bladder scanning. This list is not exhaustive.
Responsibility for reviewing care
delivery and maintaining records in accordance with local and with organisational
guidelines.
Maintain
accurate records, which are confidential, up to date, legible and that all care
given is documented. These records may be paper or IT based system and must be
maintained as specified in the Organisation Policies, NMC guidelines and
Government directives. Works as part of a
multi-disciplinary team
Acts as patient representative to
facilitate appropriate care pathways which involves effective communication to
peers, other specialist practitioners, GPs and Consultants.
To adhere to infection
control policies and guidance.
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Willingness to learn
- Awareness of Policies / Standards
- Evidence of recent study
- Familiar with and committed to the principles and values of the NHS
Desirable
Additional requirements
Essential
- The post holder will need to travel and attend to service users based across Plymouth and other geographical areas. Full and valid driving licence and access to a car for work purposes is required. Reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act will be taken into account for the successful applicant.
Experience
Essential
- Relevant experience within a care environment
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ 3 in healthcare / skills, knowledge and ability to work to the level required
- GCSEs grade A-C / 4-9 in maths and English or functional skills level 2 in Maths and English
Specific skills
Essential
- Effective communication skills including written, oral and IT based
- Good interpersonal skills
- Ability to work independently using own initiative
- Negotiation skills
- Good time management
- Organisational skills
- Ability to recognise own limitations
- Ability to recognise the professional accountability and responsibility of post
Desirable
- Venepuncture
- Recording ECG
- Wound care (including removal of sutures / clips, packing of wounds, short stretch bandaging)
- Aseptic technique
- Continence management including bladder scanning, and male and Female catheterisation
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Willingness to learn
- Awareness of Policies / Standards
- Evidence of recent study
- Familiar with and committed to the principles and values of the NHS
Desirable
Additional requirements
Essential
- The post holder will need to travel and attend to service users based across Plymouth and other geographical areas. Full and valid driving licence and access to a car for work purposes is required. Reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act will be taken into account for the successful applicant.
Experience
Essential
- Relevant experience within a care environment
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ 3 in healthcare / skills, knowledge and ability to work to the level required
- GCSEs grade A-C / 4-9 in maths and English or functional skills level 2 in Maths and English
Specific skills
Essential
- Effective communication skills including written, oral and IT based
- Good interpersonal skills
- Ability to work independently using own initiative
- Negotiation skills
- Good time management
- Organisational skills
- Ability to recognise own limitations
- Ability to recognise the professional accountability and responsibility of post
Desirable
- Venepuncture
- Recording ECG
- Wound care (including removal of sutures / clips, packing of wounds, short stretch bandaging)
- Aseptic technique
- Continence management including bladder scanning, and male and Female catheterisation
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.
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
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.
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).
