Emergency Department Assistant

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is situated on the west coast of Lancashire, with services covering the local authority areas of Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre. The Trust is part of the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System (ICS) supporting a population of around 1.6 million people. We have three main hospitals providing acute services to around 330,000 local residents. The organisation also provides specialist tertiary care for cardiac and haematology services, delivers community health services to over 445,000 residents including those in North Lancashire and hosts the National Artificial Eye Service across England. Plus, we provide urgent and emergency care services to an estimated 18 million people who visit the seaside resort each year. We employ over 7000 people from 68 different countries.

We welcome and encourage applications from anyone with protected characteristics, as well as supporting reservists and Veterans who are looking for a rewarding and challenging career within the NHS. Blackpool Teaching Hospitals encourages flexible working in all our roles to support staff in maintaining a healthy home-life balance. Working patterns such as part time working, self-rostering, compressed hours, annualised hours, term time, reverse term time and flexitime working can be explored.

Job Overview

To work as an Emergency Department Assistant within a high pressured, fast moving environment. To prioritise and deliver care to patients. To demonstrate high standards of care and set examples of best practice within the delivery of patient care in the Emergency Department. To ensure patients’ safety, privacy and dignity is maintained at all times. Assist in age-related play and distraction therapy. To support the registered nurses of the Emergency Department. To undertake such duties as determined by the Department Managers and Matron including working within the main department during times of surge.

Main Duties of the Job

Integrated medicine and Emergency Care is an exciting, diverse and large acute division which encompasses many specialities – every day is different! An exciting opportunity has arisen to join us in our busy and transforming Emergency Department as an Emergency Department Assistant. Our department covers and provides a service to a population of approximately 450,000 residents, increasing during our busy holiday seasons. We consider the department to be an innovative, creative and friendly environment for those healthcare professionals who wish to provide high quality patient centred care. You will have a can-do attitude and be working with people of a similar mind who are as motivated as you are to deliver high standards of care in a supportive, responsive and cheery environment.

The applicant should be aware the post is extremely busy and candidates should be organised, I.T literate and able to prioritise a multitude of demands. Previous experience in care and experience in an Emergency Department is desirable but not essential. Applicants must have a flexible approach to work as shift patterns are Monday-Sunday, Days & Nights, 365 days a year. It is recommended that those considering applying for the position visit the department for more insight.

As we expect a high number of applicants, the interviews will be competitive and the advert may close before the advertised end date.

Working for Our Organisation

Working for Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will provide you with lots of opportunity to develop your skills and further your career. The Trust provides services to the 440,000 residents of Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre and North Lancashire. As a Trust we are committed to:

• Developing new roles and ways of working to ensure a flexible and innovative approach to staff.
• Real equality of opportunity.
• Continual development and learning for staff.
• Achieving a work life balance.

We are committed to the effective recruitment, retention and development for our employees, which is why we offer a great working environment, an attractive range of benefits and excellent opportunities for training and development. The Trust is accredited as a disability Confident employer. That means we recognise our obligations to ensure people with disabilities are afforded equal opportunity to enter employment and progress if and where possible.

Detailed Job Description and Main Responsibilities

Main responsibilities include the essential care of patients, safe transfer of patients around the hospital and general tasks such as waste management and maintaining a suitable and hygienic environment for our patients. The candidate will comply with all relevant policies and procedures to maintain the safety of patients within the Emergency Department. Successful candidates will ensure patient's safety, comfort and welfare and provide support to the patient's relatives and advocates as required.

Please ensure that you have read the attached Job Description and Person Specification before submitting your application.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2 in Health & Social Care

Experience

• Experience as a Health Care Assistant in a permanent post.
• Experience of working as part of a team.
• Experience of organising and prioritising own workload.
• Experience of NHS computer systems.
• Experience in the Emergency Department.

Skills/Attributes

• Basic IT skills to be able to document on the electronic patient record.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to recognise when support is required.
• Ability to make shared clinical and professional decisions taking into consideration Trust/Departmental Policies/Procedures.
• Flexible.
• Good organisational skills.
• A knowledge and practical experience of manual handling.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, in a variety of settings with patients of varying levels of understanding information and refer questions to others where appropriate.
• Able to deal with sensitive issues with tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to develop effective interpersonal relationships with colleagues in the health care setting.
• Willingness to use equipment, full training provided.
• Observation Training.
• ECG Training.
• Venepuncture Training.
• Understanding of professional conduct and confidentiality.