Health Care Assistant Job Summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 4 Nursing Associate or Band 3 Health Care Assistant Support Worker(HCA) willing to undertake Nursing Associate training, to join the North Westminster Community Mental Health Hub at 7A Woodfield Road. The hub covers the Regents Health PCN and St. Johns Wood PCN, providing care to a diverse group of services users, who experience a range of mental health challenges.
Band 4 Nursing Associates work closely with people who use our Services, their families, friends and carers and play an important contribution in how people experience our services. Band 4 Nursing Associates are expected to:
- Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and be accountable to the registered nurses they work with
- Be accountable as professionals registered with the NMC and work to the Code for Nurses, Midwives and Nursing Associates
- Promote health and prevent ill health
- Provide and monitor care
- Work to improve safety and the quality of care
As a Nursing Associate you may be expected to practice any of the skills listed in the NMC Standards of Proficiency skills annexes or be responsible for the care delivered to a number of service users but you will always be supervised by a registered nurse and receive support from the wider multi-disciplinary team. We believe that the best health care is delivered by multi-disciplinary teams working well together and in partnership with other teams and services to provide seamless care.
Health Care Assistant Main Duties
The post-holder will be responsible for delivering a high standard of care, including various physical health checks to service users under the care of the North Westminster Community Mental Health Hub.
The post-holder will also be expected to support the wider team to ensure that we can deliver excellent care to our service users.
The successful applicant may have contact with patients or service users. As an NHS Trust we strongly encourage and support vaccination as this remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course patients and service users when working on our healthcare settings.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities:
- Undertake clinical tasks (when competent) including venepuncture and ECGs
- Develop understanding of caring for individuals with particular conditions relevant to place of work
- Perform and record physical health clinical observations as required
- To act as champion in physical health in the community teams
- Demonstrate good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act / Deprivation of Liberties and applies principles to everyday practice seeking advice / guidance from the Registered Nurse or registered care professional as required.
- To support the CMHT to carry out physical health checks and interventions
- To work in collaboration with the Physical Health Lead Nurse
- To identify and record physical health care needs within care plans under the direction of the RMN
- To administer medication as agreed within NMC Standards and CNWL Medicines Policy following completion of medication competency test as per policy
- To support the delivery of groups as required
- To actively engage patients as allocated
- To attend and participate in MDT reviews
- To write relevant sections within reports for social and healthcare provision under supervision
- To conduct audits as directed by the Team Manager
- Signposting patients and carers to supportive services
- Promote health and prevent ill health
- Working to the standards set out in the NMC Code for Nurses, Midwives and Nursing Associates
- Recognise issues relating to safeguarding vulnerable children and adults and report any problems or raise concerns to the appropriate registered care professionals (including raising a safeguarding alert)
- Escalating safety concerns (including completing Datix) and by doing so acting as effective advocates for those who use our services
- Supervise, help training and delegate to other members of the team e.g. Health Care Assistants
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NMC Pin
- Evidence of personal development in previous employment
- Qualified Nursing Associate
- Numeracy and Literacy skills required to keep accurate records
Desirable
- Care certificate or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience working in a health or social care setting
- Experience of liaising with other agencies
Desirable
- Experience of working within a mental health community team
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- The health care assistant should be able to talk to people about sensitive issues in a supportive manner but also challenge others assertively where necessary.
- Speaking face to face but also by telephone, you will communicate with the multi-disciplinary team, update others in the team and use handover effectively.
- The health care assistant able to maintain accurate, timely, concise and legible clinical records both electronic and handwritten which adhere to the CNWL policies.
- Able to work as part of a team
- The health care assistant able to work on own initiative
- The health care assistant should have the ability to communicate in a variety of settings with patients of varying levels of understanding
- The health care assistant able to deal with sensitive issues with tact and diplomacy
- Ability to develop effective interpersonal relationships with colleagues in the Healthcare setting
- Willingness to undertake further training in areas such as phlebotomy and ECG
- Able to maintain electronic patient records.
- Good working ability to use Microsoft Word and Excel
- You are expected to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Health Care and Support Workers and Adult Social Care Workers in England.
- Contribute to the implementation of care plans by helping to assess patients, develop, implement and evaluate a care plan.
- Able to work on your own but follow the directions of care plans and registered staff
- Accept responsibility for decisions / actions and recognize the limits of your role.
- Obtain consent and understand how the Mental Capacity Act impacts on your work and the people you are working with problems and their carers
Desirable
- Honest, trustworthy and reliable
- An understanding and positive regard for the needs and rights of people with mental health
- Ability to manage stress and work under pressure
Caring skills
Essential
- You are expected to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Health Care and Support Workers and Adult Social Care Workers in England.
- Contribute to the implementation of care plans by helping to assess patients, develop, implement and evaluate a care plan.
- Able to work on your own but follow the directions of care plans and registered staff.
- Accept responsibility for decisions / actions and recognize the limits of your role.
- Obtain consent and understand how the Mental Capacity Act impacts on your work and the people you are working with.
Desirable
- Experience carrying an individual caseload
Attitudes, aptitudes, and personal characteristics
Desirable
- Willingness to learn and develop; recognises the need for flexibility
- Able to work well within a multi-disciplinary team
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).
Closing Date: 13 January 2025
Here are some frequently asked questions about healthcare assistants:
What does a Healthcare Assistant do?
Healthcare Assistants primarily focus on patient well-being. Their duties include:
– Assisting patients with daily activities like using the bathroom or taking medication
– Checking vital signs
– Documenting patient progress
– Reporting findings to nursing staff and patients’ families
– Washing and dressing patients
– Serving meals
– Assisting with mobility
– Making beds
– Ensuring patient comfort
What skills are required for a Healthcare Assistant?
Key skills and qualities for Healthcare Assistants include:
– Empathy and understanding for patients
– Ability to follow healthcare rules and procedures
– Strong communication skills
– Patience and ability to remain calm in stressful situations
– Flexibility and adaptability
– Teamwork and ability to work independently
– Physical stamina
– Attention to detail
What questions are commonly asked in Healthcare Assistant interviews?
Common interview questions include:
– Why do you want to become a healthcare assistant?
– What skills does a healthcare assistant require to succeed?
– How do you manage the stressful or emotional aspects of this work?
– How would you handle an upset or confused patient in your care?
– Describe a situation when you gave outstanding patient care
– How do you stay up-to-date with healthcare advancements?
What are the typical working hours for a Healthcare Assistant?
Healthcare Assistants can expect to work up to 40 hours a week, with some flexibility depending on the specific role and healthcare setting.
What qualifications are needed to become a Healthcare Assistant?
While specific qualifications may vary, most Healthcare Assistant roles require:
– Good literacy and numeracy skills
– Ability to work well with others
– Compassion and patience
– Physical fitness
– Some roles may require additional certifications or training of-a-healthcare-assistant/
