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Job summary

Main area
Knowsley Community Respiratory Service
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 3
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
410-MED-7554249
Employer
Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Liverpool Heart & Chest NHS Foundation Trust
Town
Liverpool
Salary
£24,937 - £26,598 Per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
30/10/2025 23:59
Interview date
05/11/2025

Employer heading

Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust logo

Healthcare Assistant - Knowsley Community Respiratory Service

NHS AfC: Band 3

As the largest single site specialist heart and chest hospital in the UK, we, at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, have a clear vision 'to be the best cardiothoracic integrated healthcare organisation'.

We provide specialist services in cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology, respiratory medicine including adult cystic fibrosis and diagnostic imaging, both in the hospital and out in the community.

We serve a catchment area of 2.8 million people, spanning Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and the Isle of Man, and increasingly we receive referrals from outside these areas for highly specialised services such as aortics.

Heart and lung disease continue to be amongst the biggest killers in the UK and the communities we serve are marked by increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease, higher levels of heart failure, hypertension, coronary artery disease and an ageing population.

Our reputation for strong performance is important in delivering the best care for our patients and high quality clinical services. This is underpinned by a culture of research and innovation, delivered in modern estate and facilitated by technology. New and upgraded clinical areas are designed with patients and families fully involved to deliver their needs.

As part of our long term plan, we aim to form strong clinical and organisational relationships where possible. There is clear evidence that partnerships improve patient care and enhance quality and we aim to collaborate with a range of other providers and professionals with the aim to extending access and improve quality.  

Our vision is underpinned by five strategic goals:

  • Quality: to deliver the highest quality, safest and best experience for patients and their families by providing reliable care 
  • Service and Innovation: to develop our service portfolio for patients by developing innovative models of care
  • Value: to maintain financial viability, enhance service delivery and develop new models of care to improve the health of our patients and safely reduce costs
  • Workforce: to be the best NHS Employer by 2019 by attracting and retaining the best staff to deliver excellent patient care
  • Stakeholders: to develop productive relationships with key stakeholders in order to enhance our profile and reputation.

Our Mission

“Excellent, Compassionate and Safe care for every patient, every day”

Job overview

We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Health Care Assistant to join our dynamic Community Respiratory Team. The post holder will play a key role in supporting the delivery of safe, effective, and compassionate care for patients with chronic respiratory conditions, working collaboratively with the wider multidisciplinary team.

You will demonstrate excellent teamwork, flexibility, and a positive attitude, embracing the Trust’s “Be Civil, Be Kind” ethos and IMPACT values in all interactions.

If you are passionate about delivering high-quality patient care and want to be part of a supportive and forward-thinking team, we’d love to hear from you.

Due to the nature of the role, it is essential that applicants are able to travel independently across the locality and have access to transport for work purposes.

This is a full-time, permanent post and although the service operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, the Healthcare Assistant will only be required to work between the hours of 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

 

 

 

 

Main duties of the job

  • Assist in the care and management of patients with chronic respiratory disease under supervision of the clinical team.

  • Record and report patient observations (e.g. temperature, pulse, blood pressure, respiration, oxygen saturation).

  • Support patients and clinical staff during community venue assessments and home visits.

  • Obtain and collate all Friends & Family test feedback.

  • Maintain a clean, safe and well-stocked environment, ensuring equipment is cleaned, serviced and stored appropriately.

  • Manage the day-to-day running of the nebuliser compressor service, including database maintenance and loan co-ordination.

  • Monitor stock levels, place and track orders, and liaise with procurement and suppliers as needed.

  • Undertake clerical and administrative duties to support service operations, including phone and IT tasks.

  • Contribute to service development and the effective use of resources.

  • Report maintenance, cleaning, or safety issues to the Lead Nurse/Matron and participate in routine environmental monitoring.

  • Adhere to Trust policies on confidentiality, health and safety, and governance.

  • Promote the Trust’s values, ensuring courteous, respectful, and professional conduct at all times.

Working for our organisation

As the largest single site specialist heart and chest hospital in the UK, we, at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, have a clear vision 'to be the best cardiothoracic integrated healthcare organisation'.

We provide specialist services in cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology, respiratory medicine both in the hospital and out in the community.

We serve a catchment area of 2.8 million people, spanning Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and the Isle of Man, and increasingly we receive referrals from outside these areas for highly specialised services such as aortics.

Our reputation for strong performance is important in delivering the best care for our patients and high quality clinical services. This is underpinned by a culture of research and innovation, delivered in modern estate and our encouragement of flexible working in a variety of forms.

Please visit our website - https://www.lhch.nhs.uk/

Please follow this link for a tour of our site - https://bit.ly/36ylsoq

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

·         Assist in the care and management of patients with chronic respiratory disease under supervision.

·         Record and report vital signs including temperature, pulse, blood pressure, respiration, and oxygen saturation.

·         Support patients during clinical procedures at community clinics/home visits.

·         Maintain cleanliness and hygiene standards in clinical and communal areas.

·         Clean and arrange servicing of medical equipment such as nebuliser compressors.

·         Monitor stock levels and ensure adequate supplies in office and community units.

·         Perform clerical duties including telephone handling and data entry.

·         Manage the nebuliser compressor database and co-ordinate equipment delivery/collection.

·         Collate Friends and Family Test feedback and maintain the service compliments/complaints records.

·         Undertake any other duties appropriate to the level/grade of the job.

Communication

·         Use effective communication skills to support patients, carers, and colleagues.

·         Deal professionally with aggressive or abusive behaviour.

·         Receive, welcome, and guide visitors to the service/Trust, ensuring information is passed on confidentially.

·         Liaise with multidisciplinary teams and external services such as IT, maintenance, medical engineering etc.

Governance & Quality

·         Adhere to Trust policies including those on confidentiality, health and safety, and governance.

·         Monitor cleaning schedules and environmental standards, reporting outcomes and issues.

·         Ensure equipment is stored safely and maintained in good working order.

·         Promote a culture of safety and continuous improvement.

Training

·         Seek appropriate advice and support when knowledge or skills are limited.

·         Contribute to service development and quality improvement initiatives.

Financial Responsibility

·         Monitor and maintain stock levels, place orders via Oracle, liaise with suppliers and procurement.

·         Return faulty or surplus items as necessary.

Environmental Factors

·         Maintain a clean, safe, and tidy environment across office and clinical areas.

·         Carry out spot cleaning and respond to spillages promptly.

·         Ensure all electrical equipment is PAT tested and safe for use.

Physical Effort

·         Regularly lift and transport medical equipment to and from patient homes.

·         Perform cleaning tasks and maintain physical spaces, which may involve bending, lifting, and standing for extended periods.

Mental Effort

·         Maintain concentration while recording clinical observations and managing clerical tasks.

·         Respond to unpredictable work patterns and interruptions.

·         Meet deadlines for feedback collation, stock management, and equipment servicing.

Emotional Effort

·         Support distressed or bereaved patients and carers with sensitivity.

·         Work in emotionally demanding situations, particularly when dealing with end-of-life care or patient deterioration.

Working Condition

·         Work in patients’ homes and clinical environments which may present variable conditions.

·         Exposure to bodily fluids, cleaning agents, and occasional unpleasant smells.

·         Use of medical and electrical equipment in confined or busy spaces.

Person specification

Qualifications & Education

Essential criteria
  • NVQ Level 2 and 3 in Care (or equivalent experience)
  • Maths & English GCSE (or equivalent)
Desirable criteria
  • European Computer Driving Licence or equivalent

Skills & Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Good communication skills
  • Ability to prioritise and organise workload
  • Able to work using own initiative
  • Assessment skills
  • Ability to problem solve
  • Basic IT skills and experience of using Excel
Desirable criteria
  • Can demonstrate previous achievement of clinical competencies
  • Can demonstrate evidence of managing difficult and challenging situations

Experience

Essential criteria
  • At least 2 years’ experience working within the NHS
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of working in an acute care environment, undertaking a full range of clinical competencies to NVQ level 3
  • Experience within the respiratory field
  • Previous experience within a customer service environment

Values & Behaviours

Essential criteria
  • Adherence to Trust Values and Behaviours
  • Committed to delivering high standards of patient care
  • Ability to relate well with patients, clients, relatives, visitors and colleagues within the multi-disciplinary team
  • Committed to continued personal and educational development
  • Enthusiastic and motivated
  • Team player
  • Flexible and reliable

Other

Essential criteria
  • Able to be mobile between different venues and locations in the community

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Care quality commission - OutstandingSVMQ Distinction

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
Lorraine Long
Job title
Rapid Response Team Leader
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0800 073 0236
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