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Job summary

Main area
Medicine
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 2
Contract
Permanent: Fixed Term Available
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
37.5 hours per week
Job ref
234-24-HCA-OPM-APR
Employer
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Trust
Town
Norwich
Salary
£22,383 per annum pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
06/05/2024 23:59
Interview date
14/05/2024

Employer heading

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Healthcare Assistant - Older People’s Medicine (OPM)

NHS AfC: Band 2

At NNUH it is our privilege to provide healthcare to over one million people across Norfolk and surrounding areas. Our vision is to ‘provide the best care for every patient’, and if this inspires you and you share our values, we really want you to join our team. 

NNUH is currently the busiest Trauma Unit in the East of England caring for almost 850 trauma patients annually many with complex care needs. We are enhancing our urgent and emergency care specialist services for patients with significant injuries as a result of trauma and have an ambition to become a Major Trauma Centre.

Our values support our vision and guide the behaviour of everything we do, these are:

People-focused

We look after the needs of our patients, carers and colleagues, to provide a safe and caring experience for all.

Respect

We act with care, compassion and kindness and value others’ diverse needs.

Integrity

We take an honest, open and ethical approach to everything we do.

Dedication

We work as one team and support each other to maintain the highest professional standards.

Excellence

We continuously learn and improve to achieve the best outcomes for our patients and our hospital. 

Wish you were here? So do we.


We want all our staff to achieve a balance between work and personal life and understand how important flexible working can be.  We welcome applications on a full or part time basis, various shift patterns and hybrid working, where roles allow.


At the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NNUH), we know the benefits diversity can bring to our organisation such as creativity, innovation and compassion. All of which have a direct impact towards our staff and patient experience. We are committed to being a Hospital for All – being equitable and inclusive, and a place where all feel a sense of belonging. We therefore particularly encourage and welcome applications from candidates who are underrepresented in NNUH’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, people with diverse abilities and people within the LGBT+ community.

Job overview

At #TeamNNUH we are recruiting Health Care Assistants to join our Older People’s Medicine (OPM) wards

OPM is set across 5 wards, Earsham, Loddon, Elsing, Brundall and Dunston, providing care for our older patients, from hip fracture care, Dementia care, palliative/end of life care, short stay with rapid assessment and discharge, and treatment of acute conditions. Working with our Loddon ward team also provides the opportunity to work with our OPED and OPAC teams - Older People's Emergency Department / Older People’s Assessment Service. A role in OPM provides you with the opportunity to learn a number of key skills and to develop your experience in order to progress your career. 

This is the ideal role for someone with NHS and/or care giving experience. Although experience as a Health Care Assistant is not essential you must have experience in a customer facing role or a position which requires you to work compassionately. 

Please visit the below link to view our video on working on our wonderful Older People's Medicine Wards.

Working in Older People's Medicine at NNUH - YouTube

We are not able to provide visa sponsorship for this role due to not meeting UK Home Office criteria therefore must have the right to work in the UK. If you require visa sponsorship unfortunately we will not be able to proceed with your application. 

Main duties of the job

Your role as a Healthcare Assistant will be:

  • To accurately and promptly carry out the instructions of the Registered Nurse who is professionally accountable for the delivery of care
  • To assist the patient with all aspects of personal care
  • To adhere to Trust infection control procedures demonstrating an understanding of cross infection.
  • To ensure that patients are helped to retain their dignity and individuality.

You will complete a nationally recognised care certificate qualification, to develop knowledge that will allow you to be able to safely and accurately deliver effective patient care under the direction of the registered nurse.

At NNUH, we are passionate about staff development and will support you in your career. Our Health Care Assistants have the exciting opportunity to apply to join the Trainee Nursing Associate (TNA) programme, a two-year course, resulting in Nursing Associate registration and making you eligible to train as a Registered Nurse via a shortened nursing degree or Registered Nurse degree apprenticeship (RNDA). The TNA course acts as a stepping stone to becoming a Nurse, and we are proud to offer this opportunity to our Health Care Assistants.

As a Health Care Assistant, you will be supported through your Care Certificate Programme, requiring completion of set modules, with help from our dedicated Clinical Educator and Practice Development teams. Upon completion of the certificate, you will also have the opportunity to pick up additional bank shifts.

Working for our organisation

At NNUH, we are passionate about staff development and will support you in your career as a Healthcare Assistant and beyond.

There are many exciting opportunities to develop personally and professionally within the division, some of our Health Care Assistants have the opportunity to apply to join the Trainee Nursing Associate (TNA) programme. This is a two-year course, resulting in Nursing Associate registration and making you eligible to train as a Registered Nurse via a shortened nursing degree or Registered Nurse degree apprenticeship (RNDA).

The TNA course acts as a stepping stone to becoming a Nurse, as a teaching hospital we are proud to able offer this opportunity to our Health Care Assistants.

As a Healthcare Assistant, you will be supported through your Care Certificate Programme, requiring completion of set standards, with help from our dedicated Medical Clinical Educator and Practice Development teams.

Upon completion of the certificate, you will also have the opportunity to work additional bank shifts in alternative areas of interest. This will enable you to gain further experience across specialties. To listen to some of the experiences of our healthcare assistants please see the following link for details: Working as a Healthcare Assistant (HCA) at NNUH - YouTube

We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits/discounts.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The role of the Healthcare Assistant will include...

Healthcare Assistants carry out many care duties directly with patients, relatives, and carers. You will be working in a hands-on, fast-paced environment where communication is vital – nowhere else will a compassionate nature have such an impact. What matters most in this role is that you have a passion for helping others and enjoy working as part of a dedicated and passionate team.

Gain knowledge specific to the specialty that you are working within, with many exciting opportunities to develop clinical skills and career.

The kind of duties you can expect to be involved in after training (which we will provide) under the direction of a qualified professional practitioner can include the following:

  • measuring and recording clinical observations

  • helping patients to wash and dress

  • if required assisting patients to eat and drink

  • making and changing beds

If you have experience working in a fast paced, demanding role and you’re looking for a new challenge, we would love to hear from you!

When applying for this position please use your supporting statement to confirm the area you’d like to work in and why. Please also use this section to explain why you are interested in a role at NNUH and how your experience is relevant or transferable to the position and why you wish to pursue a career as a Healthcare Assistant.

We have permanent roles available with full and part-time hours. You do not need experience, but you must have the qualities and skills suited to caring for acutely unwell people in a rewarding but sometimes challenging clinical setting. You must be able to work some weekends, nights and public holidays.

Information on hours/working pattern:

In post, you will be expected to work shifts, we aim to promote flexibility in shift allocation. Rotas cover a full 24 hours, 7 days a week and involve a mixture of working long days and night shifts. Day shifts start at 07:00 and finish at 19:30. Night shifts start at 19:00 and finish at 07:30. 

Working night and weekend shifts attracts unsocial hours payments. For information on pay enhancements for unsocial hours please visit this link https://www.nhsemployers.org/articles/unsocial-hours-payments 

Information on Induction/Training:

If successful, you will have a 2-week (full time) induction course. 1 week classroom based and 1 week shadowing on the ward area allocated. We typically host 1-2 training courses per month, but they have limited spaces. We will do our best to book you on the earliest available training course but please do bear in mind there is sometimes a 1-2 month wait for a training course/start date during busy periods.

We offer FREE Park and Ride from Costessey (Monday to Friday)and have discounted bus tickets available for First Bus and Konectbus.

Please view the attached job description for full details on the role and responsibilities.

Those seeking BANK only hours please could you apply to our Bank Healthcare Assistant exclusive vacancies. You will need to check NHS Jobs and HealthJobsUK website to apply.  

Person specification

Education

Essential criteria
  • General Education to GCSE Level in Maths and English Grade A-D (3 and above) or equivalent knowledge)
Desirable criteria
  • Care Certificate
  • NVQ Level 2

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of working effectively as part of a team
Desirable criteria
  • Previous health/social care support worker experience

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Demonstrates a patient focused approach
  • Is committed to providing the best possible care to patients
  • Clear and effective reading and writing in the English language
Desirable criteria
  • Basic computer/IT skills

Aptitide

Essential criteria
  • Caring and compassionate with excellent interpersonal and communication skills
  • Flexible, adaptable and responsible to change
  • Able to prioritise own workload and manage time effectively
  • Able to work well in a team
  • Effective role model, demonstrating NNUH’s PRIDE values of People focus, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveInvestors in People: GoldImproving working livesStonewall Health ChampionsMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.We offer Wagestream - A financial wellbeing benefit which lets you access your pay as you earn it.Disability confident employerNHS Pastoral CareStep into healthArmed Forces Covenant

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Tanya Stringer
Job title
Ward Sister - Older People's Medicine
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01603 285227
Additional information

Siji Sebastian

Senior Matron - Older People's Medicine

[email protected]/01603 285227

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