Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Health Care Assistant - Trauma Rehab Unit - Seddon Suite

The closing date is 11 November 2025

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an individual to join our existing dedicated friendly team of staff within Seddon Suite at St Helens Hospital.

We are looking for a candidate who is enthusiastic and can demonstrate effective communication skills and ideally have previous rehabilitation experience.

Seddon Specialist Rehabilitation Unit is a 20 bedded purpose-built facility based in Elyn Lodge, St Helens hospital.

The pathway encompasses designated units offering different levels of high quality rehabilitation within the Hyper Acute, Hub, Spoke and Extended Rehabilitation Unitsand within specialist community and outpatient services, providing specialist assessment and rehabilitation for those who have suffered traumatic injury or illness.

The post holder may be required to work across both Whiston and St Helens sites and must be flexible in working all shifts Monday to Sunday and rotation to night duty.

There are 3 posts available:

Permanent 37.5 hours per weekPermanent 37.5 hours per weekPermanent 29 hours per week

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant will support patients with their daily needs, such as washing and dressing and maintaining their care and safety needs, they will also be assisting the patient with their rehabilitation and work alongside therapy staff.

Effective communication skills are essential .

About us

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 10,500 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.

Our services:

Acute Care

Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.

Primary Care

Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.

Community Services

Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.

Specialist Regional Services

We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.

Achievements:

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

You will be expected to undertake the Trusts' commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Details

Date posted

28 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,465 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

409-7548131

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 and multi-disciplinary team undertaking household support tasks and direct care tasks as delegated by the Nurse in Charge.

To support the qualified Nursing Staff and Therapists in the maintenance of high standards of care to patients.

To assist in providing an environment within the ward which is conducive 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 or Therapist feels are appropriate for untrained staff to undertake.

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 present an appearance which gives a positive image of the Trust and a manner which is appropriate and which inspires confidence.

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

To report any untoward incidents/occurrences.

To ensure that all patient care is delivered with the highest degree of professionalism.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

To ensure where entries are made in nursing documentationthese are correct, legible and comprehensive and countersigned by a registered nurse.

RESEARCH & AUDIT

  • To assist in their capacity as a Health Care Assistant in any departmental involvement in research activities as directed by the Ward Manager or Therapy Team

GENERAL DUTIES (to be included in all)

  • To observe the provisions of and adhere to all Trust policies and procedures.
  • To actively participate in the annual performance review to identify personal development needs
  • To attend Trust Statutory and Mandatory training sessions as required and any other training courses relevant to the post.
  • To fully comply with the relevant sections of the Health and Safety at Work Act. They must also understand and implement St Helens and Knowsley Hospitals NHS Hospitals Trust Statement of Policy on Health and Safety at Work and the Trust corporate Health and Safety Policies and Procedures. You are required to follow all applicable rules and procedures relating to Health and Safety at Work and to take all responsible precautions to avoid actions
  • The duties contained in this job description are not intended to be exhaustive. The tasks and responsibilities of this post are likely to evolve in line with the Trusts continued organisational development.
  • The post holder must be flexible in the duties performed and it is expected that similar duties, not specifically listed above, will be carried out as required and may be cross site.

Job description

Job responsibilities

KEY DUTIES

To work as part of the Nursing and multi-disciplinary team undertaking household support tasks and direct care tasks as delegated by the Nurse in Charge.

To support the qualified Nursing Staff and Therapists in the maintenance of high standards of care to patients.

To assist in providing an environment within the ward which is conducive 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 or Therapist feels are appropriate for untrained staff to undertake.

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 present an appearance which gives a positive image of the Trust and a manner which is appropriate and which inspires confidence.

CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

To report any untoward incidents/occurrences.

To ensure that all patient care is delivered with the highest degree of professionalism.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

To ensure where entries are made in nursing documentationthese are correct, legible and comprehensive and countersigned by a registered nurse.

RESEARCH & AUDIT

  • To assist in their capacity as a Health Care Assistant in any departmental involvement in research activities as directed by the Ward Manager or Therapy Team

GENERAL DUTIES (to be included in all)

  • To observe the provisions of and adhere to all Trust policies and procedures.
  • To actively participate in the annual performance review to identify personal development needs
  • To attend Trust Statutory and Mandatory training sessions as required and any other training courses relevant to the post.
  • To fully comply with the relevant sections of the Health and Safety at Work Act. They must also understand and implement St Helens and Knowsley Hospitals NHS Hospitals Trust Statement of Policy on Health and Safety at Work and the Trust corporate Health and Safety Policies and Procedures. You are required to follow all applicable rules and procedures relating to Health and Safety at Work and to take all responsible precautions to avoid actions
  • The duties contained in this job description are not intended to be exhaustive. The tasks and responsibilities of this post are likely to evolve in line with the Trusts continued organisational development.
  • The post holder must be flexible in the duties performed and it is expected that similar duties, not specifically listed above, will be carried out as required and may be cross site.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Completion of Trust Care Certificate within 4 months of appointment
  • Basic literacy and numeracy skills

Desirable

  • NVQ level 2 Health and Social Care or equivalent
  • Care Certificate (equivalent to level 1)

Experience

Essential

  • Knowledge of personal care and related procedures
  • Experience of working in a team

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a patient care/health related role

Skills

Essential

  • Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written formats
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Able to work within a team
  • Able to accept direction and guidance
  • Aware of own limitations
  • Flexible in working hours
  • Able to prioritise own workload and manage time effectively
  • Flexible, adaptable and responsive to change
  • Reliable and professional
  • Ability to cope in stressful and challenging situations
  • Inclusive and non-judgmental
  • Punctual, motivated and committed
  • Effective role model demonstrating Trust values
  • Basic IT skills

Other

Essential

  • Frequent, moderate effort for several short periods during the shift such as manual handling patients to supporting patients personal care
  • Occasional requirement for concentration, with few competing demands for attention
  • Aware that developing resilience to distressing situations is necessary without losing the ability to care compassionately
  • Aware of the process for accessing staff health and wellbeing support
  • Occasional exposure to distressing situations which may care of chronic health conditions, patient end of life care/ care after death
  • Able to carry out direct personal care as required on ward or department
  • Frequent exposure to blood or body fluids
  • Occasional exposure to patients with challenging behaviours
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Completion of Trust Care Certificate within 4 months of appointment
  • Basic literacy and numeracy skills

Desirable

  • NVQ level 2 Health and Social Care or equivalent
  • Care Certificate (equivalent to level 1)

Experience

Essential

  • Knowledge of personal care and related procedures
  • Experience of working in a team

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a patient care/health related role

Skills

Essential

  • Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written formats
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Able to work within a team
  • Able to accept direction and guidance
  • Aware of own limitations
  • Flexible in working hours
  • Able to prioritise own workload and manage time effectively
  • Flexible, adaptable and responsive to change
  • Reliable and professional
  • Ability to cope in stressful and challenging situations
  • Inclusive and non-judgmental
  • Punctual, motivated and committed
  • Effective role model demonstrating Trust values
  • Basic IT skills

Other

Essential

  • Frequent, moderate effort for several short periods during the shift such as manual handling patients to supporting patients personal care
  • Occasional requirement for concentration, with few competing demands for attention
  • Aware that developing resilience to distressing situations is necessary without losing the ability to care compassionately
  • Aware of the process for accessing staff health and wellbeing support
  • Occasional exposure to distressing situations which may care of chronic health conditions, patient end of life care/ care after death
  • Able to carry out direct personal care as required on ward or department
  • Frequent exposure to blood or body fluids
  • Occasional exposure to patients with challenging behaviours

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:

Ward Manager

Deborah Kennedy

deborah.kennedy@merseywestlancs.nhs.uk

01744646233

Details

Date posted

28 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,465 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

409-7548131

Job locations

St Helens Hospital

Marshalls Cross Road

St Helens

WA9 3DA


Supporting documents

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