Healthcare Assistant

Job summary

29 hours per week. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and self-motivated health care assistant to be part of the Urgent Care Nursing service working across Plymouth, South Hams and West Devon. The post holder will deliver a range of clinical skills and expertise providing care in the community, primarily working within the Out of Hours District Nursing Team (1700-0830). Duties include supporting registered nurses with EOL care, continence management, medicine management, wound care and taking manual observations. You will work as part of a dynamic forward-thinking team alongside others delivering person-centred care. [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] is dedicated to producing a competent workforce by offering career progression and in return expects commitment from all staff.

Main duties of the job

• Work under instruction of registered nursing staff, with direct supervision not always present when competent and confident.
• Once assessed as competent, perform simple wound care, blood sugar monitoring, catheter care, temperature, blood pressures, pulse oximetry and other clinical responsibilities to assist the registered nurse during end of life visits.
• Use clinical decision-making tools (Waterlow, MUST) and highlight significant results to senior staff.
• Identify safeguarding risks and know the process to follow.
• Acknowledge own limitations and scope of practice, seeking advice as needed.
• Undertake assigned competencies and tasks efficiently.
• Provide support to less experienced staff or students.

Job responsibilities

The post holder is a member of the Urgent Care Nursing service who generally works independently and participates in the assessment of care needs, including observation of changes in patient condition and reporting findings to the appropriate caseload holder. Following a Registered Nurse or Assistant Practitioner's assessment, the post holder implements a planned programme of care with support. In exceptional circumstances, unplanned care may be administered on advice. The post holder works independently in a defined geographical area undertaking specific clinical nursing duties in patients' homes, care homes, or other community locations.

Person Specification

Skills

Essential:

• Effective communication and interactive skills including oral, written and IT
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to use initiative and work independently
• Negotiation skills
• Good time management
• Organisational skills
• Liaison skills
• Evidence of good multi-disciplinary working
• Ability to respond to urgent calls in different parts of the city
• Ability to frequently travel independently between sites and community locations

Desirable:

• Wound care including removal of sutures/clips, packing of wounds and short stretch bandaging
• Palliative Care
• Continence Management
• Community Nursing Assistant competency skills
• Teaching Skills

Qualifications

Essential: 5 GCSEs (grades A-C) or equivalent, NVQ III in Care (or evidence of working towards) or able to demonstrate the skills knowledge & ability to work to this level.

Knowledge

• Willingness to learn
• Awareness of Policies/Standards
• Maintain Professional development
• Evidence of recent study

Experience

Essential: Relevant experience in a nursing care environment. Desirable: NVQ 3 in healthcare, Teaching skills.

Employer details

[Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]

Address: Beauchamp Centre, Mount Gould, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 7QD

Employer's website: [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal]

For questions about the job, contact: Manager Urgent Care Nursing Service, Glynis Jenkins, [contact hidden], [contact hidden]

Additional information

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. A Disclosure and Barring Service check will be required. Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome. For more information, visit the UK Visas and Immigration website: UK Visas and Immigration (Opens in a new tab).