Healthcare Assistant

Job summary

Up to 30 hours per week. Join a dedicated team providing clinical health care support for Acute Virtual Ward patients' in their homes across Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon.

This part time role (up to 30.00 hours per week, 7.5-hour shifts) is ideal for an experienced and motivated health care assistant eager to contribute to a growing Urgent Care Nursing service.

You will deliver high-quality, patient-centered care in the community, helping individuals remain safe and independent at home while supporting their health and wellbeing. The role involves utilising clinical skills and expertise within the Urgent Care Nursing Service.

We seek a health care assistant with clinical skills and knowledge, sound judgement, and the ability to work autonomously and collaboratively in a forward-thinking team. You will need the ability to working autonomously demonstrating initiative and passion.

Livewell is dedicated to produce a competent workforce; by offering career progression and in return we expect commitment from all our staff. If you feel you have ambition, courage and energy to meet the health and social care challenges ahead. All Livewell staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service.

Please note that Livewell may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline. Main duties of the job Responsible for the delivery of high quality clinical care for patients within their homes.

Liaise with the nurse in charge and referral coordinator within the Urgent care nursing service team, and will be supported by senior clinicians & clinical manager. Responsible for effectively assessing, monitoring & escalating concerns regarding patient care using SBAR tool.

To prevent & reduce hospital admissions & minimise hospital lengths of stay by supporting the multi disciplinary team with care planning using clinical skills such as manual observations using NEWS 2, venepuncture and ECG's. Responsible for reporting to senior clinician on duty.

The Urgent Care Nursing team work on a flexible rota shift system. The service covers 24 hours per day over seven days a week. However the Acute Virtual Ward health care assistant role runs from 08:00 - 17:00, this post is for 7.5 hour shift per day.

The post holder will need the ability to frequently travel independently and in a timely manner between Livewell Southwest sites and community locations including areas not served by public transport.

Able to provide the interface between hospital, primary care, community & social care settings Please note that this role may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, please refer to the Direct Gov website for information

About us

Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of Devon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, and health hubs.

As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values,kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and collaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, while empowering staff and those we serve.

We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, in shaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the right time and place. Centering our work on individual needs helps people lead healthy, independent lives.

We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, training pathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the Care Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorship programs ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.

Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mental health, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities.

If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during the application process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.

Job description

Job

responsibilities

5.

MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES 5.1 Responsibility for People Management To be involved in the continued development of the Health Care Assistant role and other Health Care Assistants To provide guidance and support to junior staff or students To receive line management support and supervision 5.2 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 5.3 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 5.4 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. 5.5 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. 5.6 Other

Responsibilities

The post holder will be aware of and work within their own limits, and competencies within a band 3 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. 6. 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. 7.

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.

Community: Carry out measurements (height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, temperature, urinalysis, phlebotomy, wound/ pressure area care, 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 whether working inpatient or community-based services. To undertake and be competent in breakaway training. Shift work including night shifts.

If appropriate. 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). Emotional and mental resilience.

Please see supporting information for full Job Description and Person Specification.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential NVQ level 3 in Health and Social care or equivalent qualification. Qualified and experienced in Phlebotomy. Qualified to undertake manual observations and document and escalate when appropriate.

Other evidence of training or development relevant to working clinically within physical health settings. Including taking manual observations, charting on NEWS 2. Undertaking ECG's.

Ability to contribute to the process of and the delivery of high standard of care as planned in care programme Desirable Vocational Qualification Level II or able to demonstrate the skills, knowledge and ability to work to that level Qualified to NVQ level 3 or working toward. Experience working within health care with adults.

Experience working clinically within the community in patients homes.

Knowledge Essential Awareness of safeguarding principles Basic IT skills A basic understanding of physical health presentation Good communication and listening skills Continual assessment of patient Organisational skills Problem solving skills An awareness to maintain professional boundaries. Awareness of own limits.

Good written communication Sensitive understanding of diversity issues and ability to promote anti-discriminatory practice/ equal opportunities. Desirable Willingness to undertake training in relation to required skills. Awareness of blood-borne viruses.

Additional

requirements

Essential Friendly and caring manner. Approachable. An appreciation of working with adults. Flexible approach. To work over 7 day service, 365 days a year a