Job summary
Health Care Assistant
Paediatric Unit
Band 3
Part time - 26 hours
We have an exciting new opportunity within our Paediatric Ward , for a talented, highly motivated individual who wants to make a difference to our patient experience. We are looking for a caring and committed individual who would like to develop their knowledge and skills within this challenging and rewarding environment.
Experience of working with children preferred but not essential.
The ability to deal supportively with babies, children and young people , along with their families, is essential. Communication skills and the ability to work as part of a multi-professional team are critical to the success of the role.Previous experience of working within an acute hospital setting is essential along with current experience in an acute setting. You should have also completed NVQ Level 3 in Healthcare or equivalent level study.Staff are expected to be flexible with their availability as there is a 12-hour rotational shift pattern in place with internal rotation between day and night duty.
This post will be subject to an Enhanced DBS
Main duties of the job
Work with all members of the multi-disciplinary team to deliver the Trust's vision and values providing safe, high quality, compassionate, person centred care to children and their families.Support/supervise learners, new staff and junior staff where required
Record patient information in accordance with local and trust policiesUndertake personal care duties for patients within the care setting accessing supervision from a registered healthcare practitioner
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.
We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care.
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
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please ensure you have read through the attached Job Description and Person Specification before submitting your application.
Advertising date: 10th November 2025
Closing date: 16th November 2025
Shortlisting date: 17th November 2025
Proposed Interview date: 27th November 2025 (TBC)
Please note, this post may close earlier than advertised if a sufficient number of applications are received.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please ensure you have read through the attached Job Description and Person Specification before submitting your application.
Advertising date: 10th November 2025
Closing date: 16th November 2025
Shortlisting date: 17th November 2025
Proposed Interview date: 27th November 2025 (TBC)
Please note, this post may close earlier than advertised if a sufficient number of applications are received.
Person Specification
Other
Essential
- Frequent moderate effort for several long periods during the shift such as manual handling patients to supporting patient's personal care.
- Concentration, focus and frequent record keeping requirements. Carrying out time critical tasks.
- 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
- Daily exposure to distressing situations which may include challenging behaviour, care of chronic health conditions, patient end of life care/care after death
- Able to carry out direct clinical care as required on ward or department.
- Potential blood or body fluids exposure
Skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written formats
- Good interpersonal skills
- Able to work within a team
- Experience of supporting junior staff and learners
- 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
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience of working in a patient care/health related role
- Knowledge of personal care and related procedures
- Knowledge of relevant legislation related to healthcare
- Experience of working in a team
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ level 3 Health & Social care or equivalent
- Care Certificate (equivalent to level1)
- Literacy and numeracy functional skills level 2 or equivalent
Person Specification
Other
Essential
- Frequent moderate effort for several long periods during the shift such as manual handling patients to supporting patient's personal care.
- Concentration, focus and frequent record keeping requirements. Carrying out time critical tasks.
- 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
- Daily exposure to distressing situations which may include challenging behaviour, care of chronic health conditions, patient end of life care/care after death
- Able to carry out direct clinical care as required on ward or department.
- Potential blood or body fluids exposure
Skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written formats
- Good interpersonal skills
- Able to work within a team
- Experience of supporting junior staff and learners
- 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
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience of working in a patient care/health related role
- Knowledge of personal care and related procedures
- Knowledge of relevant legislation related to healthcare
- Experience of working in a team
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ level 3 Health & Social care or equivalent
- Care Certificate (equivalent to level1)
- Literacy and numeracy functional skills level 2 or equivalent
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.
