Job summary
Therapies Health Care Assistant
Department: Therapy
Band: 2 £23,615 per annum
Hours: 37.5 per week, all MUH roles will be considered for flexible working
Milton Keynes University Hospital are looking for enthusiastic Health Care Assistants (HCA) to work alongside our inpatient therapy team (Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Support Workers) to support our 'Keeping You Active' programme.
The aim of the 'Keeping You Active' programme is to promote and empower patients to maintain and optimise independence by encouraging them to participate in activities of daily living, based on their own preferences, choices and habits. Reducing the risk of deconditioning associated with a hospital stay and improving patient flow into the community.
The programme will last for at least 6 months and beyond this you will receive on-going training to become a ward-based Health Care Assistant. The experience you gain from working with therapy will be key in supporting patient flow and discharge as you transition into a Health Care Assistant role.
Interview date: w/c 6.1.25
Main duties of the job
You will be part of a ward-based team supporting patients at the earliest point in their admission to remain as independent as possible, encouraging self-care and participation in their usual Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such washing, dressing, eating, drinking. Patients will be mainly older adults living with frailty.
In this role you will be supported to complete your care certificate will attend the Health Care Assistant fundamentals of care induction and our care academy training programme. This will give you:
- Skills in moving and handling patients
- Understanding how to gradually introduce functional ADLs following period of ill health
- Understanding how a short period of inactivity can very quickly lead to an individual losing their ability to look after themselves.
- Knowledge of how to help a patient to reach their potential and support needs.
About us
An outstanding 92% of additional clinical services colleagues stated that their role significantly affects patients and service users.(NHS Staff Survey 2023).
We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute
You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:
- Free on-site parking
- Free tea and coffee
- Great flexible workingopportunities
- Discounted gym membership
- Lease car scheme
- Generous annual leave and pension scheme
- On site nursery (chargeable)
- Extensive staff health and well-being programme
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital; we conduct research and teaching on site to improve the care of our patients. The hospital is undergoing significant investment, and we are proud to be rated good by the CQC. Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.
Job description
Job responsibilities
During the first 6 months of employment you will be accountable to the Therapy inpatient teams in order to develop skills in:
- moving and handling patients
- understanding how to enable patients to remain active by gradually introducing functional ADLs
- understanding the impact of hospital associated deconditioning resulting from periods of sustained inactivity,
- knowledge on how to help a patient to reach their potential and support needs.
You will be ward based with a focus on empowering patients to maintain and optimise their independence by encouraging individuals to participate in activities of daily living, based on their own preferences, choices and habits.
Following 6 months of employment you will fulfil the full HCA Job Description outlined below:
- The role of the HCA is to assist the nursing team in the delivery of safe effective care to the patient
Please refer to the Job Description for further details
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.
Job description
Job responsibilities
During the first 6 months of employment you will be accountable to the Therapy inpatient teams in order to develop skills in:
- moving and handling patients
- understanding how to enable patients to remain active by gradually introducing functional ADLs
- understanding the impact of hospital associated deconditioning resulting from periods of sustained inactivity,
- knowledge on how to help a patient to reach their potential and support needs.
You will be ward based with a focus on empowering patients to maintain and optimise their independence by encouraging individuals to participate in activities of daily living, based on their own preferences, choices and habits.
Following 6 months of employment you will fulfil the full HCA Job Description outlined below:
- The role of the HCA is to assist the nursing team in the delivery of safe effective care to the patient
Please refer to the Job Description for further details
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Basic understanding and competence in Maths & English
- NVQ Level 2 or equivalent relevant experience
- Knowledge of personal care and activities of daily living
- Awareness of importance of infection prevention & control
- Understanding of the importance of safe working practices
- Insight into personal care needs
Desirable
- CARE Certificate
- Understanding of the role of a Healthcare Assistant
- Awareness of NHS policies
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a team
Desirable
- Experience of being a care giver
- Previous NHS experience
- Experience of working with the public/in customer care
Skills
Essential
- Ability to demonstrate commitment to high standards of care
- Accurate record keeping
- Ability to work under pressure
- Ability to prioritise tasks effectively at short notice
- Caring in a professional manner towards patients and their relatives
- Good time management
Personal and people development
Essential
- Commitment to Safeguarding
- Presents a professional appearance
- Ability to work within a team
- Self-motivated and enthusiastic
- Commitment to working in a caring environment with people of all ages
Communication
Essential
- Clear spoken and written English
- Able to show care, empathy and respect to patients and their families
- Able to communicate with team members, carrying out instructions and feeding back information.
- Able to record care provided using MKUH documentation and complying with MKUH policies and guidelines
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptation
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Basic understanding and competence in Maths & English
- NVQ Level 2 or equivalent relevant experience
- Knowledge of personal care and activities of daily living
- Awareness of importance of infection prevention & control
- Understanding of the importance of safe working practices
- Insight into personal care needs
Desirable
- CARE Certificate
- Understanding of the role of a Healthcare Assistant
- Awareness of NHS policies
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a team
Desirable
- Experience of being a care giver
- Previous NHS experience
- Experience of working with the public/in customer care
Skills
Essential
- Ability to demonstrate commitment to high standards of care
- Accurate record keeping
- Ability to work under pressure
- Ability to prioritise tasks effectively at short notice
- Caring in a professional manner towards patients and their relatives
- Good time management
Personal and people development
Essential
- Commitment to Safeguarding
- Presents a professional appearance
- Ability to work within a team
- Self-motivated and enthusiastic
- Commitment to working in a caring environment with people of all ages
Communication
Essential
- Clear spoken and written English
- Able to show care, empathy and respect to patients and their families
- Able to communicate with team members, carrying out instructions and feeding back information.
- Able to record care provided using MKUH documentation and complying with MKUH policies and guidelines
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptation
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.
