Job summary
- Main area
- Trauma Orthopaedics
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Internal rotation)
- Job ref
- 216-PL-S7220721
- Employer
- University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Derriford Hospital
- Town
- PLYMOUTH
- Salary
- £24,625 - £25,674 Per Annum, Pro Rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 11/06/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Senior Health Care Support Worker-Shaugh Ward
NHS AfC: Band 3
Job overview
A very exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated lead health care assistant to join our dedicated nursing team in Trauma Orthopaedics on Shaugh Ward.
Shaugh Ward is a 30 bedded orthopaedic trauma unit which provides pre and post operative care for a wide range of patients from the age of 16 and above with orthopaedic injuries and complaints often as a result of life changing experiences.
We will support you to develop as a Senior Healthcare Assistant and learn new skills to carry with you on your journey and enhance your knowledge within orthopaedics.
You must have a passion for delivering kind and compassionate care and be willing to learn and develop within your role.
Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS at Risk staff throughout Devon who is able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.
Main duties of the job
To assist in the delivery of care planned and assessed by the Registered Nurses.
Encourage patients with their ADLs.
To carry out care / other duties under indirect supervision.
To supervise junior health care assistants making a contribution to their training and development.
To undertake specific extended skills.
Working for our organisation
We are a people business – where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
- Provide and deliver a high standard of nursing care (i.e. washing, mouthcare, toileting, manual handling & mobility), recognising and meeting the specific needs of patients.
- To manage, under indirect supervision, own workload within clinical area and competencies of the post.
- To carry out clinical observations on patients, recognising, recording and reporting all changes in patients’ condition to senior staff.
- To support maintenance of fluid balance and dietary charts, recognising, recording, and reporting all adverse findings to senior staff.
- To carry out observations of skin integrity over pressure points, recognising and reporting all findings to senior staff.
- To complete documentation for Manual Handling Charts, to be assessed by registered staff.
- To recognise the importance of health education and teaching of patients and carers, and to be able to advise and refer patients on where to access information.
- Document and sign for all observations and care given with counter signature from a registered practitioner.
- To maintain his/her own professional development, attending courses/further training to enhance and optimise his/her role within the work area.
- To participate in the training and development of junior staff on the ward and participate in the supervision and support of trainee Healthcare Assistants.
- Act as a mentor to new Healthcare Assistants & HCA Trainees, participating in induction programmes, and on-going development of their practice.
- To promote and safeguard the wellbeing of patients, their families, and colleagues.
- To participate in the development and implementation of ward area policy and nursing strategies.
- To supervise and share responsibility in the care and maintenance of all equipment on the ward and stock control.
- To respect the confidential information, in line with Trust policy Data Protection Act, obtained in the course of work and not disclose this information.
- To be familiar with and adhere to Trust and Departmental policies and procedures mindful of responsibilities to self, colleagues and patients.
- Report untoward incidents, complaints, clinical emergencies to senior staff
- Following patient assessment by Registered staff, undertake extended skills specific to individual competence under the indirect supervision of Registered staff.
Person specification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
- Demonstrable experience of providing care in a healthcare or social setting
- Understands and committed to a caring approach to patients & relatives
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- GCSEs Grade A-D/3-9 in Maths and English or Functional Skills level 2 in Maths and English
- Plus either NVQ level 3 in Health & Social Care or HCA UHP Level 3 or definitive evidence of working towards – 75% completed (or equivalent transferable qualification) OR Demonstrable equivalent experience (NVQ Level 3 equivalent) as a Healthcare Assistant in a Band 2 clinical role and agree to undertake the HCA UHP L3 course. Willing to undertake a competency based assessment at interview
- Undertake and complete the Care Certificate training programme offered in-house
Aptitude and Abilities
Essential criteria
- Flexible and adaptable to change, able to work a range of shifts and moving across wards/unit dependant on clinical need
- Effective and appropriate communication skills both written and verbal
- Ability to work with minimum supervision to a high standard
Attitude and Motivation
Essential criteria
- Has a caring and compassionate nature
- Demonstrates self-motivation
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Zoe Young
- Job title
- Ward Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01752 437077
- Additional information
Zoe Young, telephone 01752 437077, email [email protected]
List jobs with University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust in Nursing and Midwifery or all sectors