Job Summary
We have an exciting opportunity for a senior healthcare support worker looking to work in a highly specialised area, caring for acute stroke patients in the Stroke Assessment Bay of our newly opened Hyper Acute Stroke Unit.
You will be working alongside a team of Stroke Assessors, supporting with patient admission, initial assessments and investigations, ensuring the patient experience and quality of care delivered is always of a high standard and in line with Trust's values.
Main Duties of the Job
As a senior healthcare support worker, your role is multifaceted, encompassing various essential tasks to ensure the well-being and comfort of patients under your care. Some of your duties will include:
* Assist patients who require help with meals, considering individual preferences and dietary restrictions.
* Support patients with mobility by assisting with transfers, walking, or using mobility aids.
* Assist patients with toileting needs while respecting their privacy and dignity at all times.
* Regularly monitor pressure areas on patients' bodies to prevent the development of pressure ulcers.
* Offer emotional support and reassurance to patients, listening to their concerns.
* Regularly monitor and record patients' vital signs.
* Report any significant changes or abnormalities to the healthcare team promptly.
* Conduct 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) on patients as directed by healthcare professionals.
* Skilfully insert cannulas for intravenous access and collect blood samples for diagnostic testing.
* Perform regular monitoring of patients' blood glucose levels using approved devices.
* Conduct regular weight measurements of patients using calibrated scales, documenting changes and trends over time.
* Accompany patients to diagnostic imaging appointments, such as CT scans or MRI scans.
About Us
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 NHS Staff Survey.
We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff, we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.
Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.
Looking for Flexible Working? We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it's adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.
Joining Us Includes a Comprehensive Benefits Package:
* At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
* Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits.
* Blue Light card eligibility.
* And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below.
Date Posted: 14 February 2025
Pay Scheme: Agenda for Change
Band: Band 3
Salary: £24,071 to £25,674 a year per annum pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full-time
Reference Number: 359-6973820-T2
Job Locations:
Maidstone Hospital
Hermitage Lane
Maidstone
ME16 9QQ
Job Responsibilities:
We have provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.
Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children).
All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date has been agreed.
Following your corporate induction, you will be expected to attend the Trust's Clinical Induction Programme for Healthcare Support Workers (which starts on the first day of employment). The programme is full-time (please contact the CSW Induction Programme Lead if you have any issues: rallen@nhs.net), lasts for two weeks and will involve travelling to both Trust sites. The programme includes two supernumerary shifts in the clinical area (an early and a late shift), all of the other days are classroom-based and run from 9am to 5pm.
Please note that this role may often attract a high level of applications. Therefore, the post may close earlier than the original date so please ensure you submit your application as soon as possible.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential:
* NVQ/Diploma level 3 in Healthcare (or equivalent healthcare qualification) or successful completion of a level 3 Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship.
* Functional skills English and maths level 2 or GCSE English and maths grades A*/9 - C/4.
* UK Care Certificate.
Desirable:
* European Computer Driving Licence.
Experience/Knowledge Essential:
* Previous experience in an acute care setting.
* Good general education.
* Can compare basic test results to normal values.
Desirable:
* Health & Safety at Work Act (1974).
* Experience with acute stroke patients.
Skills Essential:
* Able to read, write and perform simple calculations.
* Good communication skills (written and verbal).
* Can understand and communicate factual information.
* Good interpersonal skills.
* Basic keyboard skills.
* Ability to prioritize workload with supervision.
* Can demonstrate practical skills to others.
* Manual dexterity.
* Able to pass knowledge on to others and follow an established NVQ assessment process.
* Able to assess and document vital signs.
Desirable:
* Competent performing ECGs.
* Competent with venepuncture and cannulation.
* Competent using glucometer.
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship:
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants applying for entry clearance into the UK have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer Details
Employer Name: Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
Address:
Maidstone Hospital
Hermitage Lane
Maidstone
ME16 9QQ
Employer's Website: https://www.mtw.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
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