Health Care Assistant Job summary
An exciting health care assistant opportunity has become available to join the Bedfordshire and Luton Diabetic Eye Screening Service.
We are looking for a positive team orientated person with a focus on maintaining a quality service and providing a high standard of care to our patients in a friendly, supportive environment.
As a health care assistant you will be caring, compassionate, enthusiastic, motivated and committed to provide only the very best in patient care.
The ideal candidate will have a keen interest in diabetes and the health of the eye.
You will be required to complete the Level 3 Diploma for Health Screeners within two years of commencement.
Health Care Assistant Main duties
The health care assistant will provide clinical support to qualified staff to ensure the smooth running of Diabetic Eye Screening clinics.
The main responsibilities of the post holder will be to carry out pre-screening examinations, which will include confirming demographic, clinical and retinal information, instilling dilating drops, measuring patient’s visual acuity and capture digital retinal images.
The post holder will be required to travel to various sites across Bedfordshire and Luton.
About us
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics.
You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career.
We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.
All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required.
Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical and Patient Care
- To work clinically both alongside senior members of the team and independently, being able to take a clear and concise history from patients by assessing their health and well-being, completing all documentation accurately and legibly, and ensuring that all information systems are maintained.
- To attain the competencies such as instilling eye drops, patient observations, vision assessment using Snellen testing charts and capture images using a retinal camera.
- To exercise a reasonable and agreed degree of professional autonomy and make judgements and decisions in order to satisfy the expectations and demands of the job after a period of training and completion of appropriate competencies.
- Be a competent user of a variety of technical equipment (computerised and mechanical) and act as a resource person for novice users.
- Support the clinics to ensure all equipment is cleaned and calibrated, following local and Trust policies and procedures.
- Undertake the Screening Checklist to ensure the screening environment is safe (for yourself and your patients)
- Maintaining a sufficient stock of consumables to run your clinic
- To give clear and concise explanation and test instructions to ensure maximum patient understanding and co-operation takes place, taking into account patients who have visual impairment, hearing loss, physical or mental disabilities, learning difficulties, different age groups and non-English speaking patients.
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- NVQ Level 2 Health & Social Care or equivalent
- Readiness to work towards Level 3 Diploma for Health Screeners (completion required within 2 years of starting the diploma).
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with the public, preferably within a health care setting.
- Experience communicating with members of the public (face to face and over the phone).
Knowledge
Essential
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Compassionate and caring attitude and empathy towards patients with a chronic condition.
- Keen interest in diabetes / health of the eye.
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Bedford Hospital
Kempston Road
Bedford
