Healthcare Assistant - Development Role

Job summary We have a new and exciting opportunity to offer a development post for a healthcare assistant wanting to enhance their knowledge, skills and practice in palliative and end-of-life care.
Main duties of the job This development post will be held until you have successfully completed the Adult Care Worker (Level 2) Vocational Apprenticeship.Following which you will become substantive as a Healthcare Assistant in the Bedded Unit Team.The course will run for 18 months duration, with an additional three-month assessment period resulting in a maximum 21 months for completion of the apprenticeship.Course content and method of assessment can be found in the course handbook.The apprenticeship will be led by Petroc and enrolment will need to be completed on successful recruitment to this post.You will be given the opportunity to spend 20% of your role to undertake theoretical and practice-based elements of the apprenticeship.
This could take several forms, for example, attending taught study sessions, webinars, practice-based assessments and shadowing other healthcare professionals to support your development.On completion of the apprenticeship, you will be invited for a professional discussion to prepare you to transition to the Healthcare Assistant role which will help to identify any further learning and development needs.
About us Working for us is awesome!
Benefits include:An excellent working environment (& beautiful outside areas)Flexible & family friendly policies including Maternity, Adoption, Paternity, Shared Parental leave and Pawternity!Tech Scheme Cycle to work Scheme Free on-site parkingPersonal pension scheme (continuation of NHS pension scheme) Generous holiday allowance increasing with serviceEmployee Assistance Programme (EAP) offering free confidential advice on a range of matters including financial, legal, health and wellbeing HealthCash Plan which can include up to 5 children and the option to include partnersRegular Wellbeing eventsThe opportunity to give us your feedback on how we can improve as an organisation Job description Job responsibilities Assisting with a range of patient care duties under the indirect supervision of registered staffAssisting in the provision of high quality palliative care for patients and their relatives and carersAssisting with care which encompasses the physical, social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of patients and their family membersAssisting patients to maintain all aspects of daily living activities in accordance with individual programmes of care with close supervision of registered staffMaintaining patients personal hygiene and appearanceBeing competent in maintaining patient skin integrity, updating pressure ulcer risk assessment tools that have been completed initially by registered staff.
As well as escalating any change in risk level or changes to skin appearance that require assessment by registered staffAssisting patients with eating and drinkingAssisting patients with elimination needs including continence, catheter and stoma careHelping with non-pharmalogical approaches to maintain patient comfort and managing symptoms, comfort rounds and re-positioning, mouth care, listening and reassuringDemonstrating a knowledge of care procedures and clinical observations etc.
that are consistent with someone working towards an Adult Care Worker (Level 2) or equivalent qualificationAssisting with clinical procedures following appropriate trainingEnsuring that you follow good infection control practice at all times and are familiar with infection control policies, procedures, and guidance relevant to your area of workProviding patients with complementary therapies where workload allows and in accordance with training and competency, ensuring documentation is completed following any therapies providedAssisting with last officesActing as second checker for controlled drugs administration following training and competency being achievedAssisting registered nursing staff in aspects of technical care and record keeping, a) Taking and recording vital signs.
temperature, pulse, and respiration rateb) Urine testing and obtaining specimensc) Blood glucose monitoringd) Venepuncturee) Wound caref) Basic foot care including nail trimming and filingMaintaining appropriate sensitive, caring and tactful relationships with patients, families and carersEnsuring valid consent is gained before all aspects of care are delivered and understanding how the Mental Capacity Act is implemented when patients are unable to give valid consentOffering support as appropriate to patients, their families and carers and professional colleaguesSupporting patients, and their family members, as they approach end-of life and at time of bereavement Informing registered staff of any significant changes in patients condition and familys needsCo-operating with, and communicating clearly and professionally any changes that may affect patient care, to the registered staff caring for the patient, or the nurse in chargeWelcoming new team members and supporting learning about the role of the HCA and North Devon Hospice Working as part of a multidisciplinary teamEnsuring that confidentiality of information is maintained at all times and in compliance with GDPRDeveloping and sustaining a good working partnership with your colleagues, other health care professionals and external agenciesWorking in other clinical areas as appropriate to meet the needs of the service as directed by the Clinical Team Lead or nurse in chargeProviding all care within the boundaries of your own clinical competencies as delegated by the registered staff and working to the standards set out in the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers and Adult Social care Workers in England (Skills for Health 2013)Maintaining accurate and timely paper and electronic records of patient care delivered in accordance with guidance and training providedWorking with and supporting voluntary staff in the provision of care as directedFollowing training and in accordance with level of competency, updating patient moving and handling assessments, escalating any concerns to the registered staff/ Occupational Therapist/ PhysioWorking alongside the Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist to plan goals and activities where appropriate rehabilitative treatment is identified.
In the absence of the therapists, continuing plans of care to promote success of set goalsSupporting the Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist with fact finding for home environment to support early identification of equipment needs on dischargeAssisting patients with engaging in activities that they find enjoyable and meaningfulAssisting with manual handling activity, in the effective and safe use of aids, escalating any need for reassessment by the registered staff, Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist Being aware of, and complying with all manner of North Devon Hospice policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines alongside observing a personal duty of care when using equipment or handling patients valuables for exampleUndertaking other duties as may be required, and which are consistent with the responsibilities of the post, and learning new skills associated with the roleEngaging with and contributing to clinical supervision sessions, and providing evidence of attendanceUtilising hospice resources efficiently keeping waste to a minimum Engaging in clerical and housekeeping duties as directedUnderstanding your role in the safeguarding of adults and children by being able to identify risks, and recognise signs of harm, abuse or neglect including how to report concerns and take immediate action to protect a person at risk of harm or abuse Person Specification Qualifications Essential A good standard of education including Maths and English GCSE at Level 4 or above (or equivalent).
If Maths and English at Level 4 is not held by the post holder, Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths and English will need to be completed alongside the Apprenticeship.
Experience Essential Experience in a care role within a health or social care setting Experience and knowledge of working with patients at end of life Experience of working directly with patients, families and carers Experience of delivering personal care and assisting with activities of daily living