Healthcare Assistant - Maple Suite in Liverpool

We are looking for a motivated, kind, enthusiastic person to join our outstanding team at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital. You will assist the healthcare team in the delivery of patient care under the direct supervision of a registered health professional. This post is within Maple Suite which is currently a specialist palliative care ward, supporting patients and their families at the end of life.

Main duties of the job:

• Delivery of all aspects of patients' personal care.
• Assist with the preparation of drinks and snacks.
• Assisting patients with feeding when required.
• Accurately record patient information.
• Involving patients and their families in all aspects of care.
• Ensuring there is a safe environment.
• Secure and handle the disposal of clinical waste.

About us:

As the largest single site specialist heart and chest hospital in the UK, we, at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, have a clear vision 'to be the best cardiothoracic integrated healthcare organisation'. We provide specialist services in cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology, respiratory medicine both in the hospital and out in the community. We serve a catchment area of 2.8 million people, spanning Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and the Isle of Man, and increasingly we receive referrals from outside these areas for highly specialised services such as aortics. Our reputation for strong performance is important in delivering the best care for our patients and high quality clinical services. This is underpinned by a culture of research and innovation, delivered in modern estate and our encouragement of flexible working in a variety of forms.

Job responsibilities:

• Under the supervision of the registered health professional participate fully in the delivery of planned nursing care, which includes all aspects of patients' personal care.
• Under the supervision of a registered health professional undertake specified clinical activities.
• Assist the registered health professional in the implementation of individualised patient care.
• Assist with the preparation of meals, snacks and drinks, assisting patients with feeding as necessary.
• Accurately record patient information of any care given, ensuring the entry is countersigned by the registered nurse responsible for the patient at the time.
• Involve patients and carers/relatives in the delivery of care.
• Recognise and respond appropriately to urgent and emergency situations.
• Escort and transfer patients, with low nursing dependency, as delegated by the registered health professional.
• Assist in maintaining a clean and safe environment, thus preventing the spread of infection by clearing and cleaning vacated bed spaces and preparation for re-use, secure and handle clinical waste and used linen for safe collection and/or disposal, carry out regular mattress checks and record details in line with trust policy.
• Maintain high standards of hand hygiene.
• Assist other clinical areas within the Trust as the clinical situation and staffing levels require.
• Attend to the needs of patients/visitors, particularly those who may be distressed or require assistance and communicate in a manner that is appropriate to them and the situation.
• Care for patients' property and valuables in accordance with Trust policy.

Person Specification:

Qualifications & Education:

• GCSE maths and English.

Knowledge & Experience:

• Experience in a healthcare environment/life experience.

Skills & Abilities:

• Demonstrates skills in literacy, written, verbal and an ability to effectively use electronic information and computer technology.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the importance of quality care.
• Demonstrates the role of the Healthcare Assistant with the professional teams.
• Able to work under direct supervision of a qualified practitioner.
• Ability to communicate in a variety of settings.
• Able to act calmly in emergencies.
• Able to present factual information and refer questions to others where appropriate.
• Able to deal with sensitive issues.
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively and professionally in a multi-disciplinary team.
• Able to be flexible and part of a team.

Values & Behaviours:

• Willingness to undertake training as required to perform role.
• Ability to recognise own limitations of role to ensure effective, safe delivery of care.
• Adhere to Trust values and behaviours.

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.