Senior Health Care Assistant

University of Oxford - Division of Cardiovascular Medicine

We are seeking a dedicated and empathetic Senior HCA to join our team in OCMR, a busy Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMR) department. You will work closely with admin staff, radiographers, nurses, fellows, and consultants to support both clinical patients and research participants during imaging procedures. Responsibilities include patient orientation, safety screening, intravenous cannulation, performing clinical observations, and assisting patients with their care needs. You will also ensure the department remains clean and stocked, contribute to team meetings, and adhere to infection control and safety protocols. Ideal candidates will have excellent communication skills, the ability to work both independently and as part of a team, and a compassionate approach when supporting distressed or anxious patients. Training will be provided for key tasks. Join us in delivering exceptional care in a dynamic healthcare environment.

Interview dates will take place around the applicant's availability

Main duties of the job

Provide support to radiographers, fellows and consultants performing CMR (cardiac magnetic resonance imaging) on patients, and on occasion, to research participants attending OCMR.

To work independently, but also as a part of the clinical care team, taking responsibility for planning own workload and contributing towards decision-making.

Orientate patients/participants and relatives to, from and within the department in line with magnet safety and on occasion, escort patients/ participants to other units. E.g. OUH Heart Centre /Cardiac Day Case Unit.

Explain the departmental imaging procedures to patients and study participants, providing reassurance, empathy and support to all patients/participants especially those in distress or suffering from claustrophobia and their relatives where necessary.

Prepare patients/participants for CMR, undertake patient safety screening and report any concerns to the radiographer/clinical fellow responsible for the patient/participant.

Perform intravenous cannulation and phlebotomy in line with OUH Trust /University policy, review blood results and escalate abnormal results to the clinical/research team.

Perform clinical baseline observations following competency assessment, including ECG, blood pressure measurements, iSTAT measurements. Training will be provided.

About us

OCMR was founded in 2001 and is part of the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine within the Radcliffe Department of Medicine at the University of Oxford. Our director is Professor Stefan Neubauer. The unit uses Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) to study the heart, liver, other abdominal organs and brain. We collaborate with researchers from across the University of Oxford, other academic institutions and industry.

We are a multidisciplinary unit bringing together experts from the specialisms of medicine, physics, biochemistry, engineering and computer science. This unique mix allows development of cutting edge non-invasive imaging techniques helping to advance knowledge of disease mechanisms and diagnostic imaging involved in some of the major health challenges of our era.

Job responsibilities

The Oxford Centre forMagnetic Resonance Imaging (OCMR) warmly welcomes and supports new members ofstaff. We are a friendly and approachable department with a strong sense ofteam working and high standards of care. OCMR formspart of the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine (CVM) within the RadcliffeDepartment of Medicine at the University of Oxford and specialises in MagneticResonance Imaging of the heart, liver and brain. The department has three MRIscanners; two of which are dedicated to research, a third which is used tosupport a diagnostic clinical cardiac MRI service for NHS patients from withinthe Oxford University Foundation Trust and surrounding areas.

The post holder willreport to the OCMR Lead Radiographer and work closely with the radiographyteam, as well as medical teams, reception staff, and nursing team, to meet theneeds of the clinical MRI service. With training andsupport, the post holder will develop their skills as a senior HCA to assistwith day-to-day activities within the department.

Based in OCMR,the post holder will be responsible for planningand carrying out straightforward clinical activities; preparing NHS patientsfor MRI, carrying out magnet safety checks, cannulation and post proceduralcare. They will work within their given scope of practice and will follow adesignated framework to achieve competency in a number of specified clinical skills.On occasions, they may be required to assist research participants undergoingMRI scans. They will complete mandatory courses as set by the University ofOxford as well as by the Oxford University Hospitals Trust (OUH), with whom thepost holder will hold an honorary contract.

Previous experience of working as a HCA is essential to thepost. If you would like to join our friendly, welcoming team of nurses andradiographers and feel that you have the skills, knowledge to contribute, weencourage you to apply.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Level 3 NVQ in Health and Social Care or equivalent experience
• At least 2 years experience as a Health Care Assistant (Band 2/3) in a clinical setting
• Certification in venepuncture and cannulation.
• Evidence of the Care Certificate
• Certification in Basic Life Support.
• A basic understanding of common cardiac diseases.
• Experience of carrying out 12 lead ECGs.
• Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training.

Experience

• Basic Observations skills
• Good command of spoken and written English with excellent interpersonal skills with ability to communicate effectively, sensitively and compassionately with colleagues, patients, participants and visitors.
• Ability to work independently, but with awareness of own limitations and can seek help and guidance when necessary
• A team player who can demonstrate awareness the importance of working as a part of a team
• Ability to work organise own time effectively
• Experience in dealing with confidential patient information.
• Proven ability to organise and prioritise own work-load and work to deadlines.
• Provide evidence of a willingness to undertake relevant personal development and training required for the post.
• IT skills, basic Word, Email, keyboard skills, data collection

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

University of Oxford - Division of Cardiovascular Medicine

£12.78 an hourThis is a variable hours contract for one year