Senior Healthcare Assistant - Children & Young People's Services

Hello my name is Jessica Wolstenholme and I am the ward 8 Manager. Are you looking for a motivating and rewarding career? Do you thrive on a challenge and want to make a difference to our patients in Lancashire Teaching Hospitals?
Ward 8 at Royal Preston Hospital is a 30 bedded unit, caring for children aged 0 - 16 with medical and surgical conditions, adolescent children with mental health issues and day care patients requiring both medical and surgical procedures. Incorporated on the ward is a busy Paediatric Assessment Unit and High Dependency Unit for children requiring closer observation.
As a Senior Health Care Assistant you will support the qualified nursing staff to provide high standards of care to our patients. You will be a valued member of the multi-disciplinary team and support the team with care, assessment and treatment of patients.
Please note you must have NVQ level 2 in Care or equivalent or completed the Internal BNCS course and have GCSE Maths & English grade C or above OR level 2 numeracy skills and level 2 literacy skills already in place to be considered for this role. If you do not have these essential qualifications then any offer of an interview / employment may be withdrawn.
Unfortunately we are unable to provide sponsorship for this role., In this capacity, your role involves delivering a spectrum of personalized care services to both patients and their families, coupled with undertaking various clinical duties under the guidance and supervision of the team leader or nurse in charge.
Your responsibilities extend beyond clinical tasks to encompass the facilitation of a well-functioning ward environment. This includes engaging in a variety of non-clinical activities that contribute significantly to the maintenance of a safe and clean atmosphere, ultimately promoting the overall efficiency of operations.
Crucially, your conduct must consistently align with the Trust's values. Collaborating seamlessly with the ward team, your commitment to upholding these values ensures that patients and their relatives consistently receive outstanding care characterized by compassion. By embodying these principles, you contribute not only to the welfare of individuals in your care but also to the overall success of the healthcare environment., Provide good quality personalised care in accordance with agreed local and national standards.
-Take samples from patients for testing or dispatching eg: Urine, sputum, faeces, MRSA swabs, blood sugars.
-Assist patients to meet nutritional needs in line with their individual care plan.
-Undertake clinical duties relevant to clinical area following achievement of competencies.
-Assist to maintain patient safety, conforming to health, safety and security legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines.
-Assist in maintaining standards of care to improve the patient experience and outcome of care.
-Promote equality in care and practice by recognising, respecting and meeting the needs and choices of individuals.
-Contribute to maintaining safe, clean, and productive care environment, compliant with standards for hygiene and cleanliness.
-Maintain and develop own competence.
- Actively try to resolve issues and complaints at local level and then Report the outcome to line manager.
- Record Keeping
Please see attached Job Description and Person Spec.
Thanks for taking the time to view this advert; we're looking forward to receiving your application. You should be aware that the vacancy may close earlier than the published date if sufficient applications are received so it would be best to apply as soon as you can. We'll contact you by e-mail to update you on the progress of your application so please check the e-mail account that you applied from (including spam/junk) regularly.
We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership, neurodiversity or veteran status are encouraged to apply for this post. Our Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders is available Here
To support you in your application process we've created a What we can offer you guide that shows what you can expect when you join our hospitals. The guide includes links to our strategic aims and objectives as well as our values, development support and rewards and benefits. To help you get the best from your application we've also put together two guides to help you make your application the best it can be. Just click here and here to go through them, or have them open as you complete your application.
We recognise that the recruitment process may present barriers for some and you may need personal adjustments to enable you to participate in our recruitment process. Please make contact with the recruitment team at the earliest opportunity to ensure that measures can be put in place to enable your application for this post.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) when writing job applications
If you choose to use AI or other tools to assist in writing your application, it's essential to personalise this information, particularly your supporting information section. While AI can help streamline the writing process, these tools cannot fully grasp the context or requirements of the job you're applying for. There is also a risk that it can generate false or misleading information.
AI-generated job applications can often be generic, impersonal and may not accurately reflect your qualifications, knowledge, skills, and experiences. It is crucial that you personalise your supporting statement by articulating these in your unique voice. Relying solely on AI to write your application or supporting information section is not advocated by Lancashire Teaching Hospitals and could negatively impact your chances of success in the application process.
We have added a disclaimer to our application process advising that the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.
Supporting Information
The supporting information section is an opportunity for you to showcase how your qualifications, knowledge, skill and experiences align with the requirements and criteria outlined in the job description and person.
Our recruiting managers score applications based on the criteria listed in the person specification. They will be looking for evidence of how you meet these criteria. To increase your chances of securing an interview, provide examples of how you have applied your skills and knowledge in real-life situations. Share work-related successes and challenges you've navigated that align with the criteria. These could be from various aspects of your life, including work, education, and personal experiences.
Consider structuring your supporting information section with clear headings or bullet points. This approach will help both you and the recruiting manager navigate through your application more effectively.
Working Smarter pledge
We are reminded everyday of how important life is, so as part of our Working Smarter pledge we offer a variety of flexible working options and wellbeing support to enable our people to find and maintain the right work-life balance.
Secondments
If you are applying for a secondment role please ensure you have agreement from your current line manager prior to attending an interview. Also please ensure you have read the LTHTR Secondment Policy. A copy of this can be found on the intranet or by contacting [email protected]
Young People
Please note a young person must be in part-time education or training until they're 18. therefore if you are under 18 we are unable to employ you on a full time basis, unless it is in an apprenticeship role.
Disclosure and Barring Service checks
If the role you've applied for requires a Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check we will administer this on your behalf and the cost will be recovered from your salary, either as a one-off payment, or over 3 months. The level of check required depends on the role that you have been offered. Currently the charges are - Basic DBS check £22, Standard DBS check £22 and Enhanced DBS check £42. You should be aware that if you are successful in obtaining a position that requires a DBS check but later withdraw your application, you may be required to reimburse the cost of the DBS check. DBS checks remain free of charge for volunteer positions. The DBS Code of Practice can be accessed here.
In line with guidance from United Kingdom Health Security Agency, all staff and volunteers are required to comply with Trust Infection Prevention and Control processes in relation to safe working. This includes mask wearing and adherence to social distancing at all Trust sites.

You will need to be flexible in your working hours to work shifts/unsocial hours including nights as required. Excellent communication skills are essential in this role as well as a passion for delivering excellent care with compassion.
The Trust is committed to personal and professional development and to developing new methods of learning which are flexible and accessible to all staff. You will be fully trained on an induction programme and have the opportunity to work towards further qualifications in a supportive and professional environment.
You must have GCSE Maths & English grade 4-9 or grade C or above OR level 2 functional skills in maths and level 2 functional skills in English BNCS or NVQ in Health Level 2