Senior Healthcare Assistant

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Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is situated on the west coast of Lancashire, with services covering the local authority areas of Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre. The Trust is part of the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System (ICS) supporting a population of around 1.6 million people.

We have three main hospitals providing acute services to around 330,000 local residents. The organisation also provides specialist tertiary care for cardiac and haematology services, delivers community health services to over 445,000 residents including those in North Lancashire and hosts the National Artificial Eye Service across England. Plus, we provide urgent and emergency care services to an estimated 18 million people who visit the seaside resort each year. We employ over 7000 people from 68 different countries.

We welcome and encourage application from anyone with protected characteristics, as well as supporting reservists and Veterans who are looking for a rewarding and challenging career within the NHS.

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals encourages flexible working in all our roles to support staff in maintaining healthy home-life balance. Working patterns such as: part time working, self-rostering, compressed hours, annualised hours, term time, reverse term time and flexitime working can be explored.

Job overview

Blackpool Fylde and Wyre NHS Foundation trust is a busy acute hospital, treating more than 80,000-day case and in patients last year.

The Surgical Directorate in June 2011 opened Phase VI which is a purpose built state of the art building encompassing theatres and wards. The Surgical Admissions Unit (SAU) currently has a vacancy for a senior Health Care Assistant. This is an internal rotational vacancy. We are looking for flexible, enthusiastic team player who have excellent communication skills and is committed to helping to deliver first class care. In exchange we offer the chance to work in a supportive environment where a full induction will be given

SAU comprises of 23 beds . The SAU assesses Surgical, Urology and Gynaecology patients with the view to expand to assessing ENT and ambulatory orthopaedic patients. The unit is operational 24 hours a day 365 days a year. Referrals are received from The General Practitioner / Urgent Care Centre, SDEC, Accident and Emergency and Referral from Consultant in the Outpatients Clinic.

Our strong focus on continuing professional development and training gives everyone the opportunity to achieve their full potential. We believe in clear responsibilities, mutual respect and a productive environment which allows everyone to progress.

Main duties of the job

Assist with the initial assessments of emergency surgical/gynaecology admissions.

• Recording observations.
• Supporting the registered nurse in the assessment and implementation of care.
• Venepuncture.
• ECG recording.
• Recording of vital signs.
• Basic nursing skills.
• Assistance with nutritional needs.
• Assistance with Hygiene needs.
• Maintaining accurate documentation.
• Transfer to theatres and other departments.

Main duties may include filing results, retrieving/distributing case note files from all areas of the Trust, tracing hospital records using the hospital information system, typing ad-hoc correspondence using Microsoft Word in addition to providing audio typing duties to support all medical secretaries within a department who support the Consultants' workload when needed, collecting post and any other duties specified by the admin manager and team leader.

The post holder will work under the direction of senior staff to deliver administrative support within a department, ensuring key performance indicators (KPIs) are met. Working within, and adhering to, the Trust standards of practice, and Trust policies and procedures. Other duties will be incorporated and subject to the ever-changing needs of providing a specialised patient service.

Training on the hospital systems used will be provided.

Working for our organisation

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is ideally situated just a forty five minute drive from Manchester. The Trust provides services to the 440,000 residents of Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre and North Lancashire, as well as specialist tertiary care for Cardiac and Haematology patients.

As one of the United Kingdom's largest coastal resort, Blackpool has plenty to offer its residents - it's not just a good place to work; it's a great place to live. In addition to its bustling centre and historic seafront, the town is world famous for its many attractions, including the famous Blackpool Tower. Blackpool also offers a number of scenic cycling routes round our local parks and across the surrounding countryside, as well as boasting panoramic views of the coast on its picturesque Promenade. Further afield, Blackpool also benefits from less than three-hour connections via rail to Edinburgh in the north and London in the south.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

See Job Description and person specification. Please read the attached documents, prior to applying for the role.

Specific duties will include, following appropriate training:

• Taking and recording observations of blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and respiration. Recording height and weight. - follow NEWS escalation policy.
• Completing nursing assessment documentation under the supervision of a registered nurse (including Water low/Must assessment
• Urinalysis and specimen taking as per protocol
• Undertake venepuncture in line with national and local policies
• Completing pre-op check lists for patients going to theatre.
• Blood monitoring testing.
• Transferring of patients to clinics/ward areas/ theatre.
• Record electrocardiogram readings (ECG's).
• Provide chaperoning duties as required
• Record relevant details of accidents and untoward incidents in accordance with Trust Policy. Notify immediate manager within 24 hours.
• Maintain good relationships with other members of the MDT.
• Identify training needs of self and participate in relevant in service education.
• To attend staff meeting.
• Embrace the Trust appraisal system and identify personal and educational requirements in conjunction with the manager.

• Expand the role to fulfil the needs of the service when required.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• NVQ Level 2 Care certificate

Skills/Attributes

Essential criteria

• Experience as HCA

Skills & Abilities

Essential criteria

• Understanding of quality and change in the clinical setting.
• Ability to communicate in a variety of settings with patients of varying levels of understanding.
• Able to present factual information and refer questions to others where appropriate.
• Able to deal with sensitive issues with tact and diplomacy.
• An understanding of organisation of nursing care.
• Basic I.T. skills in E mail.
• Basic understanding of NHS issues.
• Ability to develop effective interpersonal relationships with colleagues in the healthcare setting.
• Carry out clinical interventions as delegated by a RN as agreed by local protocols.
• Good attendance record
• Able to perform a wide range of duties

Desirable criteria

• Venepuncture
• Cannulation
• ECG recording
• Baseline observations
• Urine sampling
• Record keeping
• Monitoring patients
• Catheterisation
• Blood sugar monitoring
• Recognise and Act training

Please click here to view our Care and Compassion Day video

Any invitation to interview will be sent to the email account stated on your application form.

If the role you have applied for requires a Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check we will administer this as part of your pre-employment checks. Please note, you will be required to repay the cost on appointment. This will be collected via a salary deduction. You can choose whether to pay this over 1-3 months from your salary or as a one-off payment on commencement in post. The level of check required depends on the role that you have been offered. Currently the charges are - Basic DBS check £22.00, Standard DBS check £22.00 and Enhanced DBS check £42.00.

You are encouraged where possible, to register for the DBS update service. This is an annual registration fee of £13. By registering for the update service you will not have the additional cost of repeated disclosures.

Should you withdraw your application, you may be required to reimburse the cost of the DBS check.

DBS checks remain free of charge for volunteer positions.

By submitting an application for this vacancy you are confirming your agreement to the above in the event you are successfully appointed.

The DBS Code of Practice can be accessed here.

Please ensure that you read the Person Specification attached below as your application will be judged against this.

Please note that every effort will be made to keep the vacancy live until published closing date, though there may be instances where such interest is generated, that for administrative reasons the post may close earlier.

Please note that in line with national NHS guidelines this Trust operates a strict non-smoking policy. Members of staff are not permitted to smoke on Trust premises or grounds at any time nor take breaks during working hours for the purposes of smoking.

The Trust does not offer interview expenses to shortlisted candidates unless indicated in the advert.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

• Job Description Band 3 HCA (PDF, 608.5KB)
• Person Specification Band 3 HCA (PDF, 248.4KB)
• Guidance on Pre-Employment Checks (PDF, 64.2KB)
• Statement on Recruitment of Ex-Offenders (PDF, 43.2KB)
• Application Guide Booklet (PDF, 511.1KB)