Apprentice Healthcare Assistant

An exciting opportunity has arisen for Healthcare Assistant Apprentices to work within the Outpatients Department at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust. The post is to provide healthcare support to a dedicated team in Orthopaedic Outpatients/Fracture Clinic and Plaster room in accordance with the Trust's policies and procedures whilst studying a Senior Healthcare Support Worker Level 3 Apprenticeship. This post is based within outpatients at Darlington Memorial Hospital.

Formal training sessions will be part of the Apprenticeship programme delivered in partnership with New College Durham. Training will take place at New College Durham or at one of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust premises. There is the possibility for progression to the permanent post of Health Care Assistant within CDDFT.

Due to the nature of the training role, applicants must be over 18 years old to apply. This opportunity is an apprenticeship and in order to access an apprenticeship, applicants must be a UK Resident. A non-UK national is eligible to apply if they have been ordinarily resident in the UK and Islands for at least the previous 3 years on the first day of their employment.

• Healthcare Assistant Apprentices will receive appropriate training and guidance to undertake the full range of duties which will include understanding the role of HCSW and willingness to learn and develop both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
• Contribute to the department by working under the supervision of the qualified nursing team and Plaster Technicians in activities and tasks in providing high quality, compassionate care.
• To chaperone in clinics and act as the patients advocate.
• To be able to contribute and to independently run general routine clinics.
• Following training and when deemed to have the clinical competence, the opportunity to progress to assist with specialised clinics Orthopaedics and Plaster room.
• The ability to plan and prioritise own delegated work tasks and activities.
• To undertake delegated, repetitive, routine and familiar tasks, such as patient observations to include; manual b/ps, pulse oximetry, temperature, spirometry, ECGs, blood glucose monitoring and venepuncture.
• The post holder will also support the team with the application of Plaster of Paris and splints under the direct supervision.

This list is not exhaustive.

• To have an awareness of the normal parameters concerning a patient's well-being and the ability to report those that are out of normal parameters to the registered professional.
• To be able to work within the Multi-disciplinary Team framework of nursing which may include Nurse Specialists, Support Therapy Teams, liaising with other services and departments aiming to achieve the best outcome for the patient.
• To fully engage and participate in service improvement and development initiatives.
• General duties include keeping all areas of the department clean and tidy adhering to the Trust's policy for infection control for safe disposal of waste and sharps etc.
• The ability to navigate around the Trust's I.T systems and complete all relevant training.
• To maintain professional standards with reference to appearance, manner and punctuality.
• To attend all Trust mandatory and statutory training programmes.

• Essential: 4 GCSEs at C / Grade 4 or above to include Maths, English and IT or equivalent qualifications. If not, willingness to work towards.
• Good interpersonal skills and organisational skills.
• The ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Good communication skills both verbal and written.
• I.T skills and the ability and willingness to learn new skills.
• Ability to engage and build effective relationships at all levels.
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of the immediate team and/or wider team.
• Knowledge and understanding of the need for confidentiality and to abide by this at all times.
• To abide by all trust policies and procedures.
• To maintain professional standards with reference to appearance, manner and punctuality.
• To demonstrate commitment towards healthcare and be committed to completing and attaining the qualifications of the apprenticeship.

• Health care related awareness.
• 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.