Healthcare Assistant

Responsible for the delivery of high quality clinical care for patients within their homes.

Liaise with the nurse in charge and referral coordinator within the Urgent care nursing service team, and will be supported by senior clinicians & clinical manager.

Responsible for effectively assessing, monitoring & escalating concerns regarding patient care using SBAR tool.

To prevent & reduce hospital admissions & minimise

hospital lengths of stay by supporting the multi disciplinary team with care planning using clinical skills such as manual observations using NEWS 2, venepuncture and ECG's.

Responsible for reporting to senior clinician on duty.

The Urgent Care Nursing team work on a flexible rota shift system.

The service covers 24 hours per day over seven days a week. However the Acute Virtual Ward health care assistant role runs from 08:00 - 17:00, this post is for 7.5 hour

shift per day.

The post holder will need the ability to frequently travel independently and in a timely manner between Livewell Southwest sites and community locations including areas not served by public transport.

Able to provide the interface between hospital, primary care,

community & social care settings

Please note that this role may be eligible for sponsorship

under the Skilled Worker route, please refer to the Direct Gov website for

information

To be involved in the continued development of the Health Care Assistant role and other Health Care Assistants

To provide guidance and support to junior staff or students

To receive line management support and supervision

5.2 Responsibility for financial and/or physical resources

The post holder will have no direct responsibility for finances; however, they will adhere to the relevant trust policies on financial issues

The post holder will use Livewell Southwest resources responsibly

5.3 Responsibility for administration

To ensure competencies in record keeping

Report any changes in the patients condition or care needs to the supervising trained nurse and / or relevant therapist and document accordingly.

Maintain accurate and complete patient records in accordance with organisational guidelines.

Maintain confidentiality of information being aware of trust policies and local protocols and keeping up-to-date with changes

To access email and other information through Livewell Southwest intranet

5.4 Responsibility for people who use our services

Support peoples care through provision of key skills including emotional and spiritual care, positioning, communication, tissue viability, oral and personal hygiene, and nutritional awareness.

Assist people to achieve their optimal level in their physical health care whilst always maintaining their comfort and dignity at all times.

To support patients to identify and overcome fears within a relationship of empathy and trust.

To work with patients and carers to work towards patients recovery.

To monitor the physical health of service users and report any changes to registered staff so that the care plan can be kept fully up to date.

The post holder will act as a suitable role model.

The post holder is required to comply with all infection prevention and control policies and guidance, attend relevant updates and report issues of concern to their immediate line manager (if no action or explanation received, then it is the individuals responsibility to escalate to Director of Operations/Chief Executive Office.

Be able to respond effectively to any concerns of abuse and know procedures they need to follow to escalate their concerns.

To participate in, support and maintain positive interventions and planned activity programmes to improve the persons quality of life. To record contacts, interventions and observations on the electronic record systems.

Contribute to the assessment, planning, implementing, and evaluating care to patients. This to include participation in case review and assessment for admission / discharge process

Escort patients to other inpatients / departments or other areas designated by trained staff, which may include the community settings.

Record and manage patients property.

5.5 Responsibility for implementation of policy and/or service developments

To comply with Livewell southwest policies and procedures relevant to the role.

This will include adherence to Uniform & Dress Code Policy.

To report any observed incident of unprofessional behaviour, accidents/incidents, untoward occurrences, or faulty equipment.

To participate professionally in service development and proposed service changes

Comply with universal infection control precautions and procedures.

To behave in a manner which does not bring Livewell Southwest into disrepute

To complete all Mandatory training and other training pertinent to the role, as agreed by line manager.

The post holder will be aware of and work within their own limits, and competencies within a band 3 health care assistant.

Be punctual for work and conduct themselves in a professional manner in accordance with Livewell Southwest policies

To participate in induction and support programmes in relation to new staff and volunteers as directed by the nurse

To actively engage in clinical supervision both as a supervisor and supervisee if appropriate. In line with local guidelines review, reflect and develop own practice and performance through effective use of professional and operational supervision and appraisal.

To demonstrate ongoing personal and professional development through participation in internal and external development opportunities, reflecting and recording learning outcomes in a professional portfolio. This would include support groups and induction opportunities.

To know how to report accidents and untoward incidents and to do so promptly.

To act as an ambassador for Livewell with external agencies and partner organisations.

Always address staff, patients and members of the public in a polite and respectful manner either in person or on the telephone.

Be conversant with and comply with all relevant organisational protocols and policies and have valid organisational IT access.

Compassionate, caring and kind in their practice.

De-escalation skills.

To support the team in promoting a recovery orientated environment by identifying recovery focused activities and imparting information and education as required.

The post holder will be competent in computer skills.

The post holder may be exposed to some working conditions including exposure to vomit, sputum and body fluids.

Community: Carry out measurements (height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, temperature, urinalysis, phlebotomy, wound/ pressure area care, and certain injections/ diabetes management and catheterisation when deemed competent on a known patient.

To assist with ordering clinical supplies and equipment to ensure stock is maintained.

The post holder will be expected to travel around Plymouth in the course of their duties as appropriate whether working inpatient or community-based services.

To undertake and be competent in breakaway training.

Shift work including night shifts. If appropriate.

The post holder will always have to carry a personal alarm with them when working within the constraints of the community-based area (clients homes).

Emotional and mental resilience.

Please see supporting information for full Job Description and Person Specification.

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.

Qualifications

Knowledge

Desirable: - Willingness to undertake training in relation to required skills.; - Awareness of blood-borne viruses.

Additional requirements

Experience

Specific skills