Healthcare Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

Come and work for one of the longest-running charities and independent hospitals in the UK. Set in a beautiful Grade II listed Victorian building with big gardens, the RHN has specially adapted facilities such as gyms and kitchens for our residents, as well as music and art therapy spaces.

The Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability is more than a hospital – we are a community in which everyone comes together to help adults with neurological disability achieve the best possible quality of life.

Job Title: Health Care Assistant Levels 2 and 3Department: Specialist Nursing HomeSalary range: £26,485-£29,144 per annum (dependant on NVQ Qualification and experience)Hours of work: 150 hours over a 4 week period (approximately 37.5 hours per week). A long shift is 12 hours.Contract Type: Permanent full time position, rotating day and night shiftsLocation: Putney, Southwest LondonClosing Date: 26th May, however to avoid disappointment, we advise you to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close posts at any time.

Please note, to be eligible to apply for this role, you must have the Right to Work full time hours in the UK. We are unable to sponsor VISA applications for Health Care Assistants.

Benefits:

• Free counselling and therapy sessions and other mental wellbeing support through our partner CIC Wellbeing
• Get involved in our free on-site wellbeing programs, including weekly yoga, and monthly pottery club (we are the UK’s only hospital with its own kiln)
• Financial support services such as low-interest loans and help with savings accounts through our partnership with London Capital Credit Union
• Join our wellbeing networks to connect with people in our hospital; we have a Pride network, Women’s network, and our Race Equality network. We also have heritage events to celebrate the diversity of our workforce – most recently we had a South East Asian celebration.
• Free on-site parking (rare in London)
• More benefits: Cycle2Work scheme, tech purchase support scheme, Blue Light Card discounts, and more.

Role Summary

The Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability is a leading national centre of excellence, providing adult person-centred services that span the entire care pathway from post-acute rehabilitation services to end of life care, for people with complex Neuro-disability and their families, underpinned by a strong research and education programme.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our Specialist Nursing Home service at the RHN as a Health Care Assistant. You will play a vital role as part of our multidisciplinary team, supporting adults with complex neurological disabilities and long-term care needs. We are looking for compassionate and motivated individuals who are committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred care that promotes dignity, comfort, and wellbeing. Strong communication skills and effective teamwork are essential. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our residents and be part of a supportive and specialised care environment.

Our vision for the future is that we will be the national centre of excellence for neuro-disability. Our mission is to provide outstanding care and empowering individuals with neuro-disability, enabling them to live their lives to their fullest potential. 

Our Promise

We have a strong commitment at the RHN to support our people's well-being and development. In 2023, we are proud to introduce our first in-house HCA Development Programme which aims to equip you with the essential knowledge, skills, and behaviours to deliver an outstanding level of patient-centred care for patients with complex neurological needs. You will learn about Brain Injury including mental health, dementia and learning disabilities, as well as understanding 'Quality of Life' including 1:1 care and escorting.

Main Objectives of the role

• Demonstrate an awareness of RHN’s objectives and contribute to achieving them appropriately.
• Strive to improve efficiency in all areas of your work.
• Working as a part of the team
• Assist registered nurses and other HCA’s in the delivery of direct care to patients within the ward.
• Working within agreed nursing standards and under the direction of the registered nurse or NVQ healthcare assistant.

Health Care Assistant Key Responsibilities

• To assist patients with all aspects of their personal hygiene care which will include; washing, bathing, dressing, continence and mouth care whilst enabling them to be as independent with these tasks as possible.
• To assist with mobility including; hoisting, positioning and assisting with mobility aids.
• To support patients with eating and drinking tasks, which may include the use of adapted feeding equipment, recording of food and fluid intake and feeding patients with an impaired swallow function.
• Responsible for providing proficient communication with patients and others in challenging situations, which may include supporting patients with complex communication needs and patients who present with behavioural/emotional challenges as a result of their brain injury.
• To support patients to pursue social and leisure activities and assisting in a programme to help facilitate this.
• To participate fully in a 24 hour, 7 day week staff roster, including working Bank Holidays, as required by the needs of the service. Shift patterns may vary and include split days off. A high degree of flexibility is required.

Personal Specification; Experience and Qualifications Essential:

• Previous experience of working in a health or social care support role.
• Qualification to GCSE or equivalent.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• A good command of both written and spoken English.
• An ability to carry out manual handling tasks.
• Able to work flexible shift pattern including weekends and nights.

Desirable experience which will enhance your application

• A health or social care related degree or equivalent qualification.
• Experience working with patients with complex requirements and brain injury.
• Previous experience of working within a multidisciplinary team within health or social care.

RHN is a care provider for vulnerable patients at extreme risk. In consequence, safeguarding patients will always be our highest priority.

RHN is proud to be a diverse and inclusive employer that respects and values the differences of our people to achieve their full potential. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to contact our Resourcing Team at recruitment@rhn.org.uk

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• -------

Desirable

• A health or social care related degree or equivalent qualification.
• Experience working with patients with complex requirements and brain injury.
• Previous experience of working within a multidisciplinary team within health or social care.

Experience

Essential

• -------

Desirable

• Previous experience of working in a health or social care support role.
• Qualification to GCSE or equivalent.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• A good command of both written and spoken English.
• An ability to carry out manual handling tasks.
• Able to work flexible shift pattern including weekends and nights.

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

Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability

Address

West Hill, London

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London

London

SW15 3SW

Employer's website

https://www.rhn.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)