Healthcare Assistant

Job Summary

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust can provide you with a dynamic, people-centred environment, where you will be empowered to support patients with complex conditions, adopting a personalised approach to patient care that maximises independence, choice and control, following our philosophy of enabling people to reach and maintain their optimum level of health and wellbeing.

Working in a passionate team, you will have access to our Trust-wide Learning and Development programme and be supported in your career and personal growth, with opportunities to help you build your Continuing Professional Development portfolio, enabling you to extend your skills and ensure that you excel.

We are pioneers in compassionate leadership and Quality Improvement, which is about creating a culture where everyone has a voice and where service users and staff collaborate to have a direct impact on the things that matter most.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, energetic, positive member of the nursing team to support the qualified staff in the running of the ward and to provide direct care to patients. You would be working within a fantastic, hardworking multi-disciplinary team supporting and assisting qualified staff in the implementation of patient care. (To include personal hygiene, toileting, dressing, moving and handling, mobilising, making beds, serving meals and feeding patients).

Main duties of the job

• To support the qualified staff in the running of the ward and to provide direct care to patients.
• To ensure patient safety is maintained at all times. Fulfil the role of a Healthcare Assistant using a Competency Tool applicable to this role.
• To work within a team supporting and assisting qualified staff in the implementation of patient care. (to include personal hygiene, toileting, dressing, moving and handling, mobilising, making beds, serving meals and feeding patients)
• To adhere to patients individualised care plans as prescribed by the qualified staff and other multi-professional team members (e.g., physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, dietician, Doctor etc)
• To assist all disciplines involved in the rehabilitation/ care of the patient on the ward with initial assessments and on-going rehabilitation/ care plans
• Once assessed as competent, perform simple wound care, ECG recording, blood sugar monitoring, stoma care, catheter care, venepuncture and other clinical responsibilities as delegated by qualified nursing staff.
• To ensure correct use of equipment.

About us

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our Values At Berkshire Healthcare Are

• Caring for and about you is our top priority
• Committed to providing good quality, safe services
• Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:

• Flexible working options to support work-life balance
• 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
• Generous NHS pension scheme
• Excellent learning and career development opportunities
• 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
• Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
• Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
• Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
• Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
• Free parking across Trust sites

Date posted: 28 March 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 3

Salary: £24,071 to £25,674 a year per annum

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: TEMP_500

Job locations: West Berkshire Community Hospital, Rookes Way, Thatcham, RG18 3AS

Job Description

Job responsibilities

The Must Haves For This Role

• Demonstrable experience of delivering personal care and a range of related procedures, some of which may be non-routine, using safe evidence-based techniques, and maintaining dignity and respect at all times.
• Care Certificate, an equivalent qualification or equivalent experience of delivering compassionate, safe and high-quality care.
• Ability to effectively communicate with colleagues in a variety of roles and seniorities, and patients where there may be barriers to understanding or engagement.
• Proficient IT skills; able to input, save and open information in a variety of systems.

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

We're committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed. We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don't hesitate to call: Sarah Hopes.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Responsibilities

Job description Job responsibilities

The must haves for this role:

• Demonstrable experience of delivering personal care and a range of related procedures, some of which may be non-routine, using safe evidence-based techniques, and maintaining dignity and respect at all times.
• Care Certificate, an equivalent qualification or equivalent experience of delivering compassionate, safe and high-quality care.
• Ability to effectively communicate with colleagues in a variety of roles and seniorities, and patients where there may be barriers to understanding or engagement.
• Proficient IT skills; able to input, save and open information in a variety of systems.

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

We're committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed. We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don't hesitate to call: Sarah Hopes.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Person Specification

Education/Qualification/Training Essential

• English and Maths (A*-C or 9-4) GCSE or equivalent qualification.
• Care Certificate, an equivalent qualification or equivalent experience of delivering compassionate, safe and high-quality care.

Previous Experience Essential

• Demonstrable experience of delivering personal care and a range of related procedures, some of which may be non-routine, using safe evidence-based techniques and maintaining dignity and respect at all times.
• Demonstrable previous experience delivering delegated clinical care to patients/clients in a healthcare setting e.g. blood pressure, venepuncture, urinalysis etc.

Knowledge, Skills and Ability Essential

• Knowledge of care and related procedures through experience or short courses
• Proficient IT skills; able to input, save and open information in a variety of systems.
• Ability to effectively communicate with colleagues in a variety of roles and seniorities, and patients where there may be barriers to understanding or engagement.

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 details

Employer name: Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address: West Berkshire Community Hospital, Rookes Way, Thatcham, RG18 3AS

Employer's website: https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/