Are you a health care assistant who is passionate about making a difference in the lives of people with frailty in our communities across Plymouth, the South Hams, and West Devon? Do you thrive in a dynamic and innovative healthcare environment? We have some very exciting opportunities to join our exciting Community Frailty Virtual Ward project. This project forms part of a wider plan to improve urgent and emergency healthcare delivery.
We are committed to revolutionising healthcare delivery for frail and elderly patients by launching a Community Frailty Virtual Ward. Our aim is to provide high-quality, patient-centred care in the comfort of their own homes, reducing hospital admissions and length of stay in hospital and enhancing overall well-being through enhanced care coordination.
“Please note that this role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, please refer to the Direct Gov website for more information with regards to eligibility”
Please note that Livewell may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline if a high number of applications are submitted. Therefore, we recommend you submit your application at the earliest opportunity.
All Livewell staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service.
As Band 3 HCSW, you will play a critical role in our new multidisciplinary team, covering one or more of the 6 new frailty virtual wards that we have planned for our locality. The post holder will work closely with consultants, pharmacists, dietitians, and other healthcare professionals to ensure seamless, integrated care on the virtual ward, supporting the delivery of healthcare related tasks under the direction of the wider MDT.
We will consider applications for people seeking full & part time posts and flexible hours.
Support people and their families and carers during their admission to the frailty virtual ward
Interviewing between at the Beauchamp Centre towards the end of October, Mount Gould Hospital. Successful candidates are asked to bring their documentation to enable the start of the pre-employment checks as soon as they can post interview. If you are happy for this process to start prior to receiving the outcome of the interview, please bring with you:
3 forms of identification, to include your Right to Work documentation and 2 proof of address (ideally a printed bank statement from a Current Account). This must also include at least one photographic identification document. This will allow us to start pre-employment checks without delay.
Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise providing integrated health & social care services for people across Plymouth, South Hams & West Devon, as well as some specialist services for people living in parts of Devon & Cornwall. With teams in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, health & wellbeing hubs.
As an organisation with a strong social conscience, we always value being kind, respectful, inclusive, ambitious, responsible and collaborative. Transforming services to make them sustainable, ensuring that we value, support & empower each other.
We are committed to involving the people we care for, families & carers in everything that we do, working towards co-production where we can. Helping us to deliver the right care for people, in the right place & at the right time. By putting people at the centre of what we do, we ensure to support people to lead, healthy independent lives & be the very best at helping people to live well.
Valuing our employees making an investment in their development a priority. We offer:
Access & funding for training including Care Certificate, Assistant Practitioners Course & Scholarship Into Nurse Training
Existing members of the NHS Pension Scheme can continue their membership when they join the organisation.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The role of the Senior Health Care Assistant is to assist the trained nurse in delivering physical, social, and psychological care to the patient/client with physical healthcare problems/illnesses, admitted to Frailty Virtual Wards.
To have the ability to recognise and report any changes in a patients condition and needs.
The post holder will be directed to undertake tasks once adequate instruction has been given by the trained nurse and both parties are confident that the task can be fulfilled competently. The post holder will provide line management and mentorship to junior staff.
However, the trained nurse is required to carry the responsibility for decision making and direction.
To work under the direction of a registered member of nursing staff, but at times will not have direct supervision (as in a community setting).
To work within a team supporting and assisting qualified staff in the implementation of patient care, that includes personal hygiene, toileting, undressing and dressing of patients, moving and handling and assisting with mobilisation.
To liaise and assist all disciplines involved in the management and care of patients in ward/home environment.
Once assessed as competent, perform simple wound care, ECG recording, tracheostomy care, blood sugar monitoring, catheter care, venepuncture, temperature, blood pressures, pulse oximetry and other clinical responsibilities as delegated by the registered nursing staff.
To use clinical decision-making tools to inform care, such as, Waterlow, MUST etc. and be able to highlight significant results to senior staff.
To be able to give information and advice to patients and carers as appropriate i.e. nutritional or pressure care information.
To be able to identify when there may be a safeguarding risk for any patient or carer and know the process to follow.
To be able to identify if a patient needs to be signposted or referred to another service to ensure all care needs are met and liaise with the senior staff to ensure this occurs.
To acknowledge own limitation and scope of practice and seek advice and support from senior staff as needed.
To undertake a range of competencies that have been included within the job role as a senior healthcare assistant.
To provide self-directed, individual activities for specified patients in all healthcare settings working within risk management guidelines, this may include working alone in the clinical area/ community for periods of time.
To carry out efficiently and effectively task and instructions assigned by the registered nurse.To undertake only those tasks for which she/he has had instruction and is competent to fulfil as a senior healthcare assistant.
To provide mentorship and support to junior staff or students
To engage with audits, quality improvement projects and service changes as directed by the inpatient manager.
To provide a high standard of care under the direction and supervision of more senior staff
To assist the multi-disciplinary team in the delivery and evaluation of patient care.
To liaise across inpatient and community colleagues in the statutory and non-statutory services as appropriate.
To provide professional influence, direction, clarification and support for new and existing staff, nursing, occupational therapy, students, volunteers etc.
To ensure the adherence to Health and Safety and Infection Prevention and Control guidelines at all times.
MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsibility for People Management
To be involved in the continued development of the Senior Health Care Assistant role and other Health Care Assistants
To provide guidance and support to junior staff or students
To provide line management to Health Care Assistants
To receive line management support and supervision
Responsibility for financial and/or physical resources
The post holder will have no direct responsibility for finances; however, they will adhere to the relevant trust policies on financial issues
The post holder will use Livewell Southwest resources responsibly
Responsibility for administration
To ensure competencies in record keeping
Report any changes in the patients condition or care needs to the supervising trained nurse and / or relevant therapist and document accordingly.
Maintain accurate and complete patient records in accordance with organisational guidelines.
Maintain confidentiality of information being aware of trust policies and local protocols and keeping up-to-date with changes
To access email and other information through Livewell Southwest intranet
Responsibility for people who use our services
Support peoples care through provision of key skills including emotional and spiritual care, positioning, communication, tissue viability, oral and personal hygiene, and nutritional awareness.
Assist people to achieve their optimal level in their physical health care whilst always maintaining their comfort and dignity at all times.
To support patients to identify and overcome fears within a relationship of empathy and trust.
To work with patients and carers to work towards patients recovery.
To monitor the physical health of service users and report any changes to registered staff so that the care plan can be kept fully up to date.
The post holder will act as a suitable role model.
The post holder is required to comply with all infection prevention and control policies and guidance, attend relevant updates and report issues of concern to their immediate line manager (if no action or explanation received, then it is the individuals responsibility to escalate to Director of Operations/Chief Executive Office.
Be able to respond effectively to any concerns of abuse and know procedures they need to follow to escalate their concerns.
To participate in, support and maintain positive interventions and planned activity programmes to improve the persons quality of life. To record contacts, interventions and observations on the electronic record systems.
Contribute to the assessment, planning, implementing, and evaluating care to patients. This to include participation in case review and assessment for admission / discharge process
Escort patients to other inpatients / departments or other areas designated by trained staff, which may include the community settings.
Record and manage patients property.
Responsibility for implementation of policy and/or service developments
To comply with Livewell southwest policies and procedures relevant to the role.
This will include adherence to Uniform & Dress Code Policy.
To report any observed incident of unprofessional behaviour, accidents/incidents, untoward occurrences, or faulty equipment.
To participate professionally in service development and proposed service changes
Comply with universal infection control precautions and procedures.
To behave in a manner which does not bring Livewell Southwest into disrepute
To complete all Mandatory training and other training pertinent to the role, as agreed by line manager.
Other Responsibilities
The post holder will be aware of and work within their own limits, and competencies within a band 3 senior health care assistant.
Be punctual for work and conduct themselves in a professional manner in accordance with Livewell Southwest policies
To participate in induction and support programmes in relation to new staff and volunteers as directed by the nurse
To actively engage in clinical supervision both as a supervisor and supervisee if appropriate. In line with local guidelines review, reflect and develop own practice and performance through effective use of professional and operational supervision and appraisal.
To demonstrate ongoing personal and professional development through participation in internal and external development opportunities, reflecting and recording learning outcomes in a professional portfolio. This would include support groups and induction opportunities.
To know how to report accidents and untoward incidents and to do so promptly.
COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS
To act as an ambassador for Livewell with external agencies and partner organisations.
Always address staff, patients and members of the public in a polite and respectful manner either in person or on the telephone.
Be conversant with and comply with all relevant organisational protocols and policies and have valid organisational IT access.
Compassionate, caring and kind in their practice.
De-escalation skills.
To support the team in promoting a recovery orientated environment by identifying recovery focused activities and imparting information and education as required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB
The post holder will be competent in computer skills.
The post holder may be exposed to some working conditions including exposure to vomit, sputum and body fluids.
Inpatient: Carry out measurements (height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, temperature, urinalysis, phlebotomy, wound care, intentional rounding and ECGs.
Community: Carry out measurements (height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, temperature, urinalysis, phlebotomy, wound/ pressure area care, assisting in Doppler assessments and certain injections/ diabetes management and catheterisation when deemed competent on a known patient.
To assist with ordering clinical supplies and equipment to ensure stock is maintained.
The post holder will be expected to travel around Plymouth in the course of their duties as appropriate.
To undertake and be competent in breakaway training.
Shift work including night shifts if working in an inpatient -based scenario.
The post holder will always have to carry a personal alarm with them when working within the constraints of the community-based area (clients homes).
The post holder will need to travel and attend to service users based across Plymouth and other geographical areas. Full and valid driving licence and access to a car for work purposes is required. Reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act will be taken into account for the successful applicant.
Please see supporting information for full Job Description and Person Spec.
