Community Healthcare Assistant

NCH&C is proud to be the first standalone NHS community trust in the UK to achieve an 'Outstanding' rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Our focus is on continually improving the quality of care we offer to local people and on improving access to that care, helping people to move seamlessly from one service to another. Praising NCH&C's "compassionate, inclusive and effective leadership at all levels", the CQC observed that our staff are well supported to make positive changes and innovations.
Norfolk Community Health & Care NHS Trust is committed to continuing to create a modern and inclusive work environment. As part of this commitment we actively promote flexible working opportunities where possible, to meet the needs and wishes of our workforce to maintain and improve their wellbeing. The trust offers a range of flexibility, including flexible working patterns, and we would encourage you to discuss this with the recruiting manager before or during the application process if this would interest you.
We welcome applications from people who share our values and can help us deliver outstanding care in our local community., This is a new role for a Healthcare Assistant to support our care homes in our local area.
You will work closely with the community nursing team, delivering care to residents which will include diabetes care / insulin administration, wound care, venepuncture and catheter care.
Our service works 7 days a week. You will be able to demonstrate flexibility as well a sound clinical basis and understanding of community working.
We would welcome prospective applicants to contact us for further information as well as meeting the team. You will be able to demonstrate a good basic knowledge of health care and appreciation of community based working., 1. To contribute to the delivery of a variety of interventions for patients with long term conditions, palliative care and rehabilitation needs for example, to achieve quality of life and independence where possible.
2. To work within the integrated team to facilitate early discharge from hospital
3. To work within the integrated team to prevent unnecessary admission to hospital
4. To work with all health care professionals, and statutory/non statutory agencies to provide a seamless, integrated service to our service users.

Working for our organisation
The nursing teams are based in Loddon, Long Stratton and Diss, and consist of Nurses, Assistant Practitioners and Healthcare assistants. The Therapy team are based with the Nursing team and work very closely. They consist of Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Assistant Practitioners.
Apply now to join an organisation that has been awarded an 'Outstanding' rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the highest possible rating and the first stand-alone NHS community trust in the country to be awarded the title.
We would welcome conversations with interested people, as well as meeting the team etc.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Clinical
The post holder will:
1. Apply competency based treatment techniques/care to patients with specific conditions under the supervision of a qualified practitioner, following a prescribed treatment/care plan.
2. Plan and prioritise own visits to delegated patients, and ensure these are documented in personal work diary.
3. Ensure patient held records are completed for each visit, and that SystmOne inputting is completed on a daily basis
4. Make basic judgements on patients' response to prescribed treatment/care plans, and report findings to a qualified practitioner.
5. Liaise with other health care professionals as required.
6. Overcome barriers to understanding, e.g. patients' with hearing or cognitive impairment.
7. Communicate with patients/carers by exchanging factual information, reassurance, tact and empathy.
8. Establish and maintain appropriate working relationships with colleagues, patients, carers and other health care professionals.
9. Demonstrate dexterity and coordination when undertaking treatment of patients where accuracy is important, e.g. taking blood sugars, venepuncture, supervising transfers, and passive exercises.
10. Be responsible for ensuring equipment is used safely, following relevant training, and that it is maintained appropriately.
11. Contribute to the requisitioning of supplies and equipment through electronic ordering systems.
12. Work predominantly independently on specified tasks, with regular clinical support and supervision by a qualified practitioner.
13. Work with qualified practitioners with group work/clinics as required.
14. Demonstrate an awareness and understanding of consent, and gain consent, and gain consent as appropriate following organisational policies.
15. Share responsibility for maintaining store cupboards, pool cars, cleaning specialist equipment and general house keeping tasks.
16. Share responsibility of indirect patient contact tasks, such as, answering phones, arranging appointments, processing referrals and inputting activity data.
17. Undertake health promotion/education as required, e.g. smoking cessation, falls etc.
18. Will be exposed to bodily fluids, infected material, blood products on a daily basis, therefore must utilise universal precautions and adhere to infection control policies.
19. Demonstrate basic IT and standard keyboard skills.
Professional
The post holder will:
1. To be an active member of the in-service training programme by attendance at and participation in staff meetings, training sessions, courses and reflective practice.
2. To participate in the staff appraisal scheme as an appraisee, maintaining a dynamic personal development plan.
3. To demonstrate an awareness of clinical governance and risk management and apply to work situations.
4. To provide peer support to other carers.
5. To develop competencies to enhance practice and ability to meet needs of patients and the service.
Communication
4. To establish and maintain therapeutic relationships with patients and carers, incorporating motivation, encouragement and confidence building.
5. To demonstrate an ability to communicate with patients/carers with complex needs, using clear and effective verbal/non-verbal communication.
6. To gather and collate information to enable co-ordinator to plan interventions/liaison with others.
7. To provide direct feedback to professionals as appropriate, and in a clear and concise way.
8. To contribute to accurate and timely patient records, including data collection.
9. To communicate and share information with DN's, GP's and SW's as necessary.
10. Be able to communicate effectively with patients/relatives with communication difficulties i.e. deafness, blindness, learning difficulties.
11. To provide feedback to co-ordinator in a clear and concise way
Organisational
The post holder will:
1. Undertake mandatory training as required.
2. Participate in a Personal Development Review process.
3. Undertake Personal Development Plans for other staff members.
4. Take part in clinical supervision as per Trust Policy.
5. Follow Trust policies, and local procedures.
6. Ensure absence reporting is undertaken as determined by Team Leader and Trust Policy.
7. Contribute to clinical audit as required.
8. Complete the staff survey as required.
9. Complete risk assessments and incident forms as required
Equal Opportunities - We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome all applications irrespective of age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race or religion. Additionally, people with disabilities that fall under the Disability Confident Scheme will be offered an interview providing they meet the minimum criteria for the post (outlined in the Person Specification). All sites are Smoke Free.
Immigration Status - Norfolk Community Health & Care NHS Trust is a diverse employer and welcomes all job applications. However, potential applicants should note that although the Trust is registered with the Home Office as a sponsor organisation for migrant workers, sponsorship can only be offered against Skilled Worker visas. If you are an applicant from outside the UK and do not already hold a self-gained right to work, we recommend you check the Home Office eligibility requirements before making an application.
Please note: Although we are a registered sponsor organisation, we are unable to offer sponsorship for some job roles, and this will be identified through filtering questions at the start of any job application on the Trac recruitment system.
Redeployment - Please note that in the first instance priority for this vacancy will be given to NCH&C staff who are on the Trusts Redeployment Register.
DBS - If this post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and you are not a current employee of Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust or being recruited as an Apprentice then the cost of the DBS check will be automatically removed from your first month's salary. However if you are registered with the update service this may not be required.