Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic professional who can help the Community Independence Service (CIS) make Hammersmith & Fulham (H&F) a great place to grow old. Join us and be part of a committed and caring team as we deliver high quality patient care.
Your role as a Health Technician (HT) within the CIS Urgent Community Response Team will involve providing a rapid response care service for people who need urgent help with primary acute physical health illness in their own homes, or after a hospital admission. Please note that this role is not an inpatient ward-based or mental health service, and the vast majority of our patients need support with functional activities.
As a HT you will be expected to provide support to our patients in a wide range of community and patient home environments, working autonomously and collaboratively in supporting the integrated multidisciplinary team in the delivery of excellent patient care. You will be responsible for the holistic, comprehensive care of complex community patients, delivering clinical care delegated by a registered professional and contributing to the evaluation of person centred care plans.
The service is operational 7 days a week 8am to 10pm. Hours of work for Health Technician may vary between these hours.
Main duties of the job
- Respond to rapid response case load as delegated by a registered practitioner.
- To provide care to patients within their home, that is of a high standard.
- To undertake delegated care activities directly related to the assessment, planning and evaluation of patient care which is culturally sensitive and inclusive
- Basic wound care.
- Vital observations and diagnostics e.g. blood pressure, pulse, SATs, blood glucose monitoring
- ECG recording and escalation to for appropriate analysis of results
- Venepuncture, escalation of bloods for analysis and results for analysis to appropriate registered practitioner.
- Assist with clinical visits as directed by the registered practitioner.
- Health promotion advice.
- Providing additional support for patients with specific needs, e.g. the disabled and the elderly, as well as frailty pathway and complex care needs pathway.
- Assist with the activities of daily living and development of care plans for patients with physical and mental health needs (including provision of hygiene needs, meal preparation, in house assessment).
About us
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ 4,500 staff, of whom 56% are BME. Our turnover for 2023-24 is £426m.
The Trust is rated as 'Good' overallby the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as 'Outstanding'.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached.
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached.
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
Desirable
- NVQ assessor qualification
- Foundation degree/level 1 diploma modules or willingness to undertake
- Other equivalent qualifications and or evidence of further learning
Experience
Essential
- At minimum of two years Community Health care assistant or demonstrate appropriate and relevant work experience
- Experience of autonomous working
Desirable
- Experience of working within a community team
- Experience in Rapid Response/ discharge to assess/Acute Service Setting
- Admission/Venepuncture teams/Community Discharge teams
Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to communicate in a variety of settings with patients of varying levels of understanding
- Able to present factual information and refer questions to others where appropriate
- Able to deal with sensitive issues with tact and diplomacy
- Basic working knowledge of IT and emails
- Ability to develop effective interpersonal relationships with colleagues in the healthcare setting
Skills
Essential
- Carry out clinical interventions as delegated by a registered nurse or registered health care professional
- Experience patient personal care, phlebotomy and basic wound care assessment and other advanced associate or technician tasks such as ECG, bowel and Bladder care.
- Ability to carry out baseline assessments e.g. blood pressure, pulse, temperature, understanding of SBAR and deteriorating adult assessment
Other Requirements
Essential
- Willingness to learn and develop; recognizes the need for flexibility
- Able to work well within a multi-disciplinary team
- Understands own accountability
- Ability to use own initiative
- Be discrete in dealing with sensitive issues
- Good attendance record
- Hold full UK driving license (EU is accepted for 1 year) with clean driving license.
- Flexible approach to work
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
Desirable
- NVQ assessor qualification
- Foundation degree/level 1 diploma modules or willingness to undertake
- Other equivalent qualifications and or evidence of further learning
Experience
Essential
- At minimum of two years Community Health care assistant or demonstrate appropriate and relevant work experience
- Experience of autonomous working
Desirable
- Experience of working within a community team
- Experience in Rapid Response/ discharge to assess/Acute Service Setting
- Admission/Venepuncture teams/Community Discharge teams
Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to communicate in a variety of settings with patients of varying levels of understanding
- Able to present factual information and refer questions to others where appropriate
- Able to deal with sensitive issues with tact and diplomacy
- Basic working knowledge of IT and emails
- Ability to develop effective interpersonal relationships with colleagues in the healthcare setting
Skills
Essential
- Carry out clinical interventions as delegated by a registered nurse or registered health care professional
- Experience patient personal care, phlebotomy and basic wound care assessment and other advanced associate or technician tasks such as ECG, bowel and Bladder care.
- Ability to carry out baseline assessments e.g. blood pressure, pulse, temperature, understanding of SBAR and deteriorating adult assessment
Other Requirements
Essential
- Willingness to learn and develop; recognizes the need for flexibility
- Able to work well within a multi-disciplinary team
- Understands own accountability
- Ability to use own initiative
- Be discrete in dealing with sensitive issues
- Good attendance record
- Hold full UK driving license (EU is accepted for 1 year) with clean driving license.
- Flexible approach to work
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.
