Health Care Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

Provide advice and instruction to patients to explain any procedures being undertaken.

Understand the principles of data protection and patient confidentiality and the policies and procedures surrounding them.

Attend and participate in staff meetings.

Basic understanding of IT and ability to use e-mail and willingness to undertake training for any systems used to collect and manage patient data.

Communicate with practice staff and GPs regarding results and collection of specimens.

Refer patient queries to the nursing staff in a timely fashion.

Provide understanding and support to patients having difficulty coping with their condition.

To be supportive and communicative with patients & colleagues.

To ensure at all times patients are treated with care and compassion.

Report any change or deviation from planned care package to nursing staff.

Recognise change in patients need and with instruction adapt care package accordingly.

Recognise abnormal results following monitoring and inform nursing staff.

Undertake the delivery of patient care packages under the supervision of nursing staff.

Manage and prioritise workload.

To liaise with other health professionals, social services, GPs, hospital staff and other agencies involved in the care of each patient as required.

To accurately take and record telephone messages as required, including supporting the screening and prioritisation of referrals according to local guidelines.

Undertake set nursing procedures following training and assessment e.g. phlebotomy, blood pressure monitoring, blood glucose monitoring, preparing patients as necessary prior to procedure, using aseptic technique.

Driving skills, including in icy and snowy conditions.

To acquire core skills in nursing care and nursing techniques.

To provide general office duties i.e.: filing, photocopying as required.

Be able to implement packages of care, therapy or treatment prescribed by qualified members of the team. This will initially be done with supervision from a qualified member of the team.

Support patients in achieving goals set in care packages.

Undertake personal and social care as required to support people to remain at home.

Deliver prescribed medication to patients, operating within set protocols.

To provide reassurance & psychological support to patients in an acute phase of illness which may involve short episodes of intensive input to prevent hospital admission.

To maintain a neat and tidy appearance and professional approach to work, patients, their families & other colleagues.

To act in a manner that is in line with Trust Values at all times.

Ensure all electronic and paper based records are kept up to date and filed appropriately.

To maintain accurate and comprehensive records, recording and providing statistical information by means of computer and other methods.

To supply information to the client where appropriate using computer database and written materials.

To monitor stock in partnership with the nursing team.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

Essential

• NVQ Level 3 in Health or Adult Care Diploma Level 3 RQF
• Care Certificate

Desirable

• Admin/clerical training

Experience

Essential

• Minimum 1 year recent experience in a clinical nursing/care assistant role within the NHS
• Experience of supporting Nurse Care Provision
• Experience of working with the public
• Previous experience of working in a team

Desirable

• Insulin administration
• Phlebotomy experience
• Experience of using S1
• Previous experience of providing personal care

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Previous experience or understanding / can demonstrate clinical procedures
• Update to date clinical skills in wound care, catheter care including changing catheter bags and can monitor and understand vital signs recognising when to escalate
• Good standard of spoken & written English
• Basic IT skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Accurate and methodical approach to work
• Ability to work without direct supervision
• Ability to cope with challenging behaviour
• Willingness to learn new skills

Desirable

• Presentation skills
• Undertaking risk assessments

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust

Address

Luton Adult Community Health Services

The Poynt,Units 2-3, Poynters Road

Luton

LU4 0LA

Employer's website

https://www.cambscommunityservices.nhs.uk/careers (Opens in a new tab)