Job summary
We are expanding our Rapid Response Community Nursing Team to meet the new Urgent Community Response (UCR) and Virtual Ward requirements. This brings an exciting opportunity for an experienced and skilled Health Care Assistant to join the team.
Virtual wards are a national initiative that will support patients who would otherwise be in a hospital setting to remain in their own home environment. This will be supported with the use of digital technology, monitoring, supporting the setting up of equipment and providing patient care and the treatment they need. It is expected that patients will move between UCR and virtual ward pathways.
We take referrals from GPs, Paramedics, local hospitals and specialist community teams for patients experiencing an acute health crisis. We aim to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions by assessing patients, developing care plans and liaising with other services as needed. We implement existing pathways such as IV therapy, cellulitis, COPD, chest infection and heart failure to provide evidence-based care.
Please note that should we receive a high number of applications, we reserve the right to close the advert earlier than advertised.
Main duties of the job
To work as a Multi-Skilled Assistant supporting qualified members of the Community Nursing team to deliver appropriate nursing care to enable each patient to achieve their maximum potential and remain within their home environment. To be able to respond under supervision to unexpected health care needs of patients.
As our Health Care Assistant (HCA) you will be involved in supporting patients in an acute phase of illness which may involve short episodes of intensive input to prevent hospital admission. This will involve undertaking personal care of patients, phlebotomy, some medication administration, wound care and completing patient assessments.
We also provide support out of hours to patients on the District Nursing caseload who may require planned/unplanned visits.
About us
Rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission, we are proud to provide high quality innovative services across most of the east of England that enable people to receive care closer to home and live healthier lives.
There’s one reason why our services are outstanding – and that’s our amazing staff – who, for the seventh year running, rated us incredibly highly in the national staff survey.
If you share our passion for innovative and high-quality care delivery, then please submit your application and join us on our exciting journey as a leading-edge specialist community provider. All are welcome to apply and our promise to you is a culture which prioritises staff engagement and development.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Provide advice and instruction to patients to explain any procedures being undertaken.
Understand the principles of data protection and patient confidentiality and the policies and procedures surrounding them.
Attend and participate in staff meetings.
Basic understanding of IT and ability to use e-mail and willingness to undertake training for any systems used to collect and manage patient data.
Communicate with practice staff and GPs regarding results and collection of specimens.
Refer patient queries to the nursing staff in a timely fashion.
Provide understanding and support to patients having difficulty coping with their condition.
To be supportive and communicative with patients & colleagues.
To ensure at all times patients are treated with care and compassion.
Report any change or deviation from planned care package to nursing staff.
Recognise change in patients need and with instruction adapt care package accordingly.
Recognise abnormal results following monitoring and inform nursing staff.
Undertake the delivery of patient care packages under the supervision of nursing staff.
Manage and prioritise workload.
To liaise with other health professionals, social services, GPs, hospital staff and other agencies involved in the care of each patient as required.
To accurately take and record telephone messages as required.
Undertake set nursing procedures following training and assessment e.g. phlebotomy, blood pressure monitoring, blood glucose monitoring, preparing patients as necessary prior to procedure, using aseptic technique.
Driving skills, including in icy and snowy conditions.
To acquire core skills in basic physiotherapy, nursing care and nursing techniques.
To provide general office duties i.e.: filing, photocopying as required.
Be able to implement packages of care, therapy or treatment prescribed by qualified members of the team. This will initially be done with supervision from a qualified member of the team.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Good standard of spoken & written English
- NVQ in Health studied to Level 3 or willingness to work towards
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Minimum 1 year experience working as HCA or equivalent
- Experience of working with the public
- Previous experience of working in a team
Desirable
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Basic IT skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Accurate and methodical approach to work
- Ability to work without direct supervision
- Ability to cope with challenging behaviour
- Willingness to learn new skills
Desirable
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.
Closing Date: 24 April 2023
