There are 2.72 WTE positions (up to 37.5 hours per week) available. Applications for full and part-time working will be considered.
Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of people with frailty in our communities across Plymouth, the South Hams, and West Devon? Do you thrive in a dynamic and innovative healthcare environment? We have exciting opportunities to join our Community Frailty Virtual Ward project, which is part of a wider plan to improve urgent and emergency healthcare delivery.
We are committed to revolutionising healthcare delivery for frail and elderly patients by launching a Community Frailty Virtual Ward. Our aim is to provide high-quality, patient-centred care in the comfort of their own homes, reducing hospital admissions and length of stay in hospital while enhancing overall well-being through enhanced care coordination.
Please note that this role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route. Refer to the Direct Gov website for more information regarding eligibility.
Please note that Livewell may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline if a high number of applications are submitted. Therefore, we recommend you submit your application at the earliest opportunity.
All Livewell staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7-day service.
Main Duties of the Job
As Band 3 HCSW, you will play a critical role in our new multidisciplinary team, covering one or more of the 6 new frailty virtual wards that we have planned for our locality. The post holder will work closely with consultants, pharmacists, dietitians, and other healthcare professionals to ensure seamless, integrated care on the virtual ward, supporting the delivery of healthcare-related tasks under the direction of the wider MDT.
Key Responsibilities
1. Support the delivery of healthcare.
2. Recognise and report changes in clinical need.
3. Support people and their families and carers during their admission to the frailty virtual ward.
Interviewing will take place at the Beauchamp Centre towards the end of October, Mount Gould Hospital. Successful candidates are asked to bring their documentation to enable the start of the pre-employment checks as soon as possible post-interview. If you are happy for this process to start prior to receiving the outcome of the interview, please bring with you:
1. Copies of any qualifications relevant to the role.
2. Copies of training certificates (digital copies are acceptable).
3. 3 forms of identification, including your Right to Work documentation and 2 proofs of address (ideally a printed bank statement from a Current Account). This must also include at least one photographic identification document.
About Us
Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of Devon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, and health hubs.
As an organisation with a strong social conscience, we are guided by our values: kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and collaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability while empowering staff and those we serve.
We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, in shaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the right time and place. Centering our work on individual needs helps people lead healthy, independent lives.
We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, training pathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the Care Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorship programs ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.
Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mental health, neuro-diverse conditions, and learning disabilities. If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during the application process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.
Job Responsibilities
The role of the Senior Health Care Assistant is to assist the trained nurse in delivering physical, social, and psychological care to the patient/client with physical healthcare problems/illnesses, admitted to Frailty Virtual Wards.
1. Recognise and report any changes in a patient's condition and needs.
2. Provide line management and mentorship to junior staff.
3. Work under the direction of a registered member of nursing staff, but may not have direct supervision in a community setting.
4. Support and assist qualified staff in the implementation of patient care, including personal hygiene, toileting, undressing and dressing of patients, moving and handling, and assisting with mobilisation.
5. Liaise and assist all disciplines involved in the management and care of patients in ward/home environment.
6. Perform simple wound care, ECG recording, tracheostomy care, blood sugar monitoring, catheter care, venepuncture, temperature, blood pressures, pulse oximetry, and other clinical responsibilities as delegated by the registered nursing staff once assessed as competent.
7. Use clinical decision-making tools to inform care and highlight significant results to senior staff.
8. Provide information and advice to patients and carers as appropriate.
9. Identify safeguarding risks and know the process to follow.
10. Identify if a patient needs to be signposted or referred to another service.
11. Acknowledge own limitations and seek advice and support from senior staff as needed.
12. Undertake a range of competencies included within the job role as a senior healthcare assistant.
13. Provide self-directed, individual activities for specified patients in all healthcare settings working within risk management guidelines.
14. Carry out tasks and instructions assigned by the registered nurse.
15. Provide mentorship and support to junior staff or students.
16. Engage with audits, quality improvement projects, and service changes as directed by the inpatient manager.
17. Provide a high standard of care under the direction and supervision of more senior staff.
18. Assist the multi-disciplinary team in the delivery and evaluation of patient care.
19. Liaise across inpatient and community colleagues in statutory and non-statutory services as appropriate.
20. Ensure adherence to Health and Safety and Infection Prevention and Control guidelines at all times.
Main Duties/Responsibilities
Responsibility for People Management
1. Be involved in the continued development of the Senior Health Care Assistant role and other Health Care Assistants.
2. Provide guidance and support to junior staff or students.
3. Provide line management to Health Care Assistants.
4. Receive line management support and supervision.
Responsibility for Financial and/or Physical Resources
1. The post holder will have no direct responsibility for finances; however, they will adhere to the relevant trust policies on financial issues.
2. The post holder will use Livewell Southwest resources responsibly.
Responsibility for Administration
1. Report any changes in the patient's condition or care needs to the supervising trained nurse and/or relevant therapist and document accordingly.
2. Maintain accurate and complete patient records in accordance with organisational guidelines.
3. Maintain confidentiality of information, being aware of trust policies and local protocols.
4. Access email and other information through Livewell Southwest intranet.
Responsibility for People Who Use Our Services
1. Support people's care through provision of key skills including emotional and spiritual care, positioning, communication, tissue viability, oral and personal hygiene, and nutritional awareness.
2. Assist people to achieve their optimal level in their physical health care while maintaining their comfort and dignity.
3. Support patients to identify and overcome fears within a relationship of empathy and trust.
4. Monitor the physical health of service users and report any changes to registered staff.
5. Act as a suitable role model.
6. Comply with all infection prevention and control policies and guidance.
7. Respond effectively to any concerns of abuse and know procedures to follow to escalate concerns.
8. Participate in, support, and maintain positive interventions and planned activity programmes to improve the person's quality of life.
9. Contribute to the assessment, planning, implementing, and evaluating care to patients.
10. Escort patients to other inpatient/departments or other areas designated by trained staff.
11. Record and manage patients' property.
Responsibility for Implementation of Policy and/or Service Developments
1. Comply with Livewell Southwest policies and procedures relevant to the role.
2. Report any observed incidents of unprofessional behaviour, accidents/incidents, or faulty equipment.
3. Participate professionally in service development and proposed service changes.
4. Comply with universal infection control precautions and procedures.
5. Conduct oneself in a manner that does not bring Livewell Southwest into disrepute.
6. Complete all Mandatory training and other training pertinent to the role, as agreed by line manager.
Other Responsibilities
1. Be aware of and work within own limits and competencies within a band 3 senior health care assistant.
2. Be punctual for work and conduct oneself in a professional manner in accordance with Livewell Southwest policies.
3. Participate in induction and support programmes for new staff and volunteers as directed by the nurse.
4. Engage in clinical supervision both as a supervisor and supervisee if appropriate.
5. Demonstrate ongoing personal and professional development through participation in internal and external development opportunities.
6. Know how to report accidents and untoward incidents and do so promptly.
Communications and Relationships
1. Act as an ambassador for Livewell with external agencies and partner organisations.
2. Address staff, patients, and members of the public in a polite and respectful manner.
3. Comply with all relevant organisational protocols and policies.
4. Be compassionate, caring, and kind in practice.
5. Support the team in promoting a recovery-oriented environment.
Physical Demands of the Job
1. Competent in computer skills.
2. May be exposed to working conditions, including exposure to vomit, sputum, and body fluids.
3. Carry out measurements (height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, temperature, urinalysis, phlebotomy, wound care, intentional rounding, and ECGs).
4. Assist with ordering clinical supplies and equipment to ensure stock is maintained.
5. Expected to travel around Plymouth in the course of duties.
6. Undertake and be competent in breakaway training.
7. Shift work including night shifts if working in an inpatient-based scenario.
8. Carry a personal alarm when working within community-based areas (clients' homes).
9. Full and valid driving licence and access to a car for work purposes is required.
Please see supporting information for full Job Description and Person Specification.
Person Specification
Knowledge
* Awareness of safeguarding principles.
* Basic IT skills.
* A basic understanding of physical health presentation.
* Good communication and listening skills.
* Continual assessment of patients.
* Organisational skills.
* An awareness to maintain professional boundaries.
* Awareness of own limits and boundaries in relation to own job role.
* Sensitive understanding of diversity issues and ability to promote anti-discriminatory practice/equal opportunities.
* Resilience.
* Willingness to share life experiences with service users and carers.
* Ability to problem-solve and create innovative solutions to empower patients and carers.
* Demonstrates empathy for people.
* Ability to provide line management/mentoring to junior staff.
* Willingness to undertake training in required skills.
* Knowledge of the triangle of care.
Additional Requirements
* Friendly and caring manner.
* Approachable.
* An appreciation of working with a wide age group of clients.
* Flexible approach.
* To work rotational shift patterns over 24 hours.
Qualifications
* NVQ level 3, QCF level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent qualification.
* Care certificate.
* Other evidence of training or development relevant to working within physical health settings.
* Ability to participate in activities with patients.
* Ability to contribute to the delivery of high standards of care as planned in care programme.
* Vocational Qualification Level II or able to demonstrate skills, knowledge, and ability to work to that level.
Specific Skills
* Effective communication skills with a range of people in various situations.
* Ability to engage patients in activities off the Unit.
* Ability to manage time and plan work.
* Complete clinical records.
* Take leadership and direction from qualified staff.
* Participate in unsupervised tasks and provide accurate feedback.
* Ability to work in a team effectively.
* Demonstrate basic IT skills.
* Awareness of personal safety.
* Breakaway and Lone Working training if based in a community environment.
* Care plans and risk assessments.
* Confidentiality.
* Motivated.
* Reliable.
* Confidence in dealing with patients.
* Ability to work in stressful conditions.
* Ability to work as part of a team.
* Current driving licence (Community based only).
* Flexible approach to working arrangements.
Experience
* Previous healthcare experience at Band 2 level or equivalent, Band 3 level or equivalent.
* Experience of one year in a Physical Health setting.
* Awareness of vulnerable adult/protection issues and guidance.
* Recent experience of working in a care setting.
* Clinical governance.
* Ability to work with a minimum of supervision.
* Undertake baseline physical observations.
* Evidence of continuing professional development.
* Experience in a variety of Physical Health settings either inpatient or community.
* Previous experience working in a multidisciplinary team.
* Working within an NHS setting.
* Experience supporting individuals to identify and achieve personal goals in a related social care or health setting.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and 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.
Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working.
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