Community Healthcare Assistant

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Health Care Assistant to work as part of the Cheltenham Locality Community Nursing Team. The successful candidate will be working within the community nursing service delivering a range of clinical care for people within their own homes. The community nursing teams form an integral part of the Integrated Community Teams (ICTs) and are key to the exciting and dynamic developments underway to strengthen ICTs in delivering timely, high intensity acute and routine patient centred clinical interventions to support people in their own homes and prevent unnecessary admissions to hospital.

To work as part of the team you will need to have a good general standard of education with at least two years' work experience in a relevant health or social care setting. NVQ level 3 in a Health or Social Care related subject or equivalent level of knowledge acquired through work experience is also required along with a proven ability to work efficiently and effectively. Good written and oral communication skills are essential as is an ability to work without direct supervision. Additional training and development will be provided within a work-based competency framework.

Main duties of the job:

• Deliver essential nursing care in a flexible manner, in a variety of community settings as directed by the registered nurse, using evidenced based practice and according to training, experience and proven competence to meet the demands of the service.
• Communicate and liaise with all members of the Primary Health and Social Care Team and other professionals both in the community and the hospitals.
• Support the daily planning and operation of patient clinics where appropriate.
• Undertake specific clinical tasks which include administration of routine medications, monitoring blood pressure, pressure area care as appropriate, which includes application of compression hosiery and topical cream application, venepuncture, continence reassessments and bladder scanning, catheter care - including bladder Instillation, stoma care - changing stoma bags, capillary blood testing- undertaking and recording, routine drawing up and administration of Insulin as prescribed, urinalysis using dipstick testing, & wound care.
• Provide reassurance and support to patients and carers by listening to their concerns explaining to them any procedures that may be undertaken by the post holder or registered nursing staff after gaining informed consent.
• Refer patients appropriately to other members of our Multi-Disciplinary Teams where appropriate.
• Contribute to patient assessments by registered nurse and the development and ongoing evaluation of care plans, including recording of pathology results and liaising with appropriate professionals.
• Undertake direct patient contact for above clinical activities without direct supervision of registered nurse.
• Complete accurate record keeping of patients notes and computer systems in line with Trust Policy.
• Instigate emergency procedures such as CPR as necessary.
• Assist in keeping accurate patient records for the monitoring and continuity of patient care by recording tasks performed, on paper and computer, both Care Services and General Practice Information systems, in accordance with Trust Policy.
• Provide service users with Community equipment as directed.
• Promote health, well-being and independence using supportive health education interventions.
• Identify potential vulnerable adults and report per the trusts safeguarding Policy.
• Participate in and support research projects / clinical trials as appropriate.
• Maintain and order clinical supplies and/or equipment as directed and ensure that they are appropriately managed and kept secure.
• Attend Team & Development meetings, contributing to enhancing nursing practice in line with service demands.

Person Specification:

• Qualifications Essential: Level 1 / GCSE English and Maths (or equivalent Adult Literacy and Numeracy), Minimum of 5 GCSE's (or equivalent) including English, Mathematics and a Science or Health and social care-based subject, NVQ Level 3 Care certificate.
• Experience Essential: Experience of direct adult patient care in Health/social care setting, Evidence of Team working abilities, Proven ability to work unsupervised.
• Desirable: Relevant clinical competencies e.g. Venepuncture, catheter care, personal care.

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. Applicants must have current UK professional registration.