Job summary
The Community Nursing Service in Luton is offering a fantastic opportunity for a highly motivated and enthusiastic Community Health Care Assistant to join our service. The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate a passion for supporting adults with a wide range of health care needs.
We believe in working together across specialities, trusts and sectors to achieve the best patient outcomes.
Previous experience as a Health Care Assistant is essential.
Our Community Nursing teams provide care to patients in the privacy of their own home. Our aim is to prevent unnecessary hospital admission and facilitate early discharge from the acute hospitals.
If you believe in the 6 C’s and want to join an integrated community nursing team that is ready to look at the future for Luton then please come along and join us, you are welcome to visit us for an informal meeting before applying.
Some of the benefits of joining our team:
Excellent learning and development opportunities.
Lease Car scheme.
Confidential telephone care service providing independent support and advice for staff and many more.
(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.
Due to the nature of the role it is essential that applicants are able to travel effectively and independently on a daily basis to and from the base, clients’ homes and other venues around the geographical area whilst transporting equipment. If necessary, adjustments can be considered, in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act.
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.
Support patients in achieving goals set in care packages.
Undertake personal care as required.
Deliver prescribed medication to patients, operating within set protocols.
To provide reassurance & psychological support to patients in an acute phase of illness which may involve short episodes of intensive input to prevent hospital admission.
To maintain a neat and tidy appearance and professional approach to work, patients, their families & other colleagues.
To act in a manner that is courteous, polite friendly and considerate at all times.
Ensure all electronic and paper based records are kept up to date and filed appropriately.
To maintain accurate and comprehensive records, recording and providing statistical information by means of computer and other methods.
To supply information to the client where appropriate using computer database and written materials.
To monitor stock in partnership with the nursing 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: 17 May 2023
