Healthcare Assistant

Job summary

We are seeking to recruit compassionate and motivated Healthcare Assistants to work on Oker Ward at Whitworth Hospital, situated in the beautiful Derbyshire Dales. Whitworth Hospital is a small community hospital on the outskirt of Matlock town centre, providing excellent care for the local and wider community.

This is an exciting opportunity for people who have a genuine interest in caring, who are enthusiastic, reliable and professional. Oker Ward has been recognised at Gold in Quality Always accreditation, meaning that you can enjoy working on a ward that provides an exceptionally high level of care.

The team on Oker Ward is dedicated and supportive, we aim to provide a positive working experience to those who join us. Everyone in the team is valued for their contributions

Experience of working in a social care setting is an advantage, as is NVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care. However, this is an exciting opportunity for someone wanting to develop nursing skills in a ward area, and full training will be provided to the successful candidates.

We will accept applications for full or part time work, the posts are permanent, but we will also accept applications from people seeking fixed term contracts or secondments.

If you would like to visit the ward, meet the team and talk to other people in similar roles, please contact Ward Manager Jo Housley or Deputy Ward Manager Andrew Wilson on 01629 363434. We look forward to meeting you.

Main duties of the job

Oker is a 13 bedded ward, providing rehabilitation, complex discharge planning and end of life care. The multidisciplinary team is made up of nursing and allied health professionals, including Registered Nurses, Healthcare Assistants, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Therapy Assistants and Advanced Nurse Practitioners. The clinical team is supported by, Administrative Staff, Porters, Hotel Services and Housekeepers.

As HCA, your primary duty will be to support Registered Nurses and the multidisciplinary team in person-centred patient care. Wider duties include maintaining the ward environment, assisting with audit and accreditation, attending team meetings, and adhering to trust policies and procedures.

We are looking for someone who will work collaboratively with the whole team and support the ward to strive for the best possible patient experience.

Oker Ward offers the opportunity for HCA's to develop clinical skills that contribute to safe and effective patient care.

It is important that you have a good standard of English and excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, including strict adherence to patient confidentiality.

Oker Ward is a 24 hour, 7 day a week service and this post involves shift work that includes, days, nights, double and/or single shifts, twilight shifts, weekends and Bank Holidays.

Full PPE equipment and uniforms are provided free of charge with the post.

About us

The Purpose and Activities of DCHS?

Our purpose is to provide community health services to a patient population of over one million people in Derbyshire and Derby, as part of Joined Up Care Derbyshire.

We employ around 4,200 substantive staff, caring for patients in 11 community hospitals and more than 30 health centres, as well as in clinics, GP practices, schools, care homes and, increasingly, in people's own homes and via virtual consultations.

The culture on Oker Ward is positive and inclusive, staff are supported and treated with respect, and patients are treated with compassion and kindness. The atmosphere on the ward is friendly and relaxed and people are encouraged to work to the best of their ability.

Staff are supported to complete training that will help them to be safe and competent in their role, and there is possibility to develop within the organisation.

The team on Oker Ward strives to provide the best possible patient experience, to get the best outcomes for patients and support people through the challenges of being in hospital.

Our values are aligned to the wider organisation: to get the basics right, to act with compassion and respect, to make a difference, to value and develop teamwork and to value everyone's contribution, everyone matters.