About

We’re looking for a caring and motivated Senior Health Care Assistant to join our busy Children's Ambulatory Unit . You’ll support Registered Nurses in delivering safe, high-quality care to children and young people across the Paediatric Units, including Outpatient Clinic, Roses Day-Care, and Children’s Ambulatory Unit (CAU).

What you’ll do:
Provide compassionate, hands-on care to children and their families

Work closely with Registered Nurses and the wider healthcare team

Support clinical and non-clinical duties within the unit

Complete in-house HCA training and maintain competence

About you:
NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care (or equivalent)

Or at least one year’s experience working with children and young people

Team player with good communication skills and a caring approach

Join our supportive paediatric team and make a real difference to young patients’ lives.

Apply today to become part of our dedicated team!

For further information please contact:
Haddy Colley-Ward Manager 0207 288 5630/5017

Latefa Elwakili-Sister 0207288 5630

The post holder will have an NVQ level 3 in care and/or have at least a years’ experience in working with children and young people
The post holder works as part of the unit's team under the supervision of registered nurses, participating in the delivery of patient care. The post holder will be expected to be self-motivated and use their initiative when necessary.
The post holder will undertake the hospital’s in house training for HCA’s and will maintain an agreed level of competence.
The post holder is expected to work in different areas including the clinic, day-care and CAU.
It is expected that the post holder will be able to carry out all of the duties listed in the main section below. No duties are to be undertaken by the post holder unless they have received the appropriate training or instruction.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
It is the aim of the Trust to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of sex, race, colour, nationality or ethnic origin, or is placed at the disadvantage by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justified. To this end the Trust has an Equal Opportunity Policy and it is for each employee to contribute to its success.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
The postholder will ensure that the agreed safety procedures are carried out and will be aware of the responsibilities placed on employees under the Health and Safety At Work Act. The postholder will maintain a safe environment for employees and visitors.
SECURITY
It is the responsibility of all employees to work within the security policies and procedures of The Whittington Hospital NHS trust to protect the patients, staff and visitors and the property of the Trust. This duty applies both to the specific work area of the individual and to the hospital in general.
CONFIDENTIALITY
All information concerning patients/clients and staff must be treated as strictly confidential at all times.
CUSTOMER AWARNESS
The Whittington Hospital expects its employees to communicate with colleagues, patients and visitors in a polite and courteous manner at all times.

Ø Acts as an advocate for child and family at all times.

Ø Facilitates family centred care and provide information and support to families to enable them to continue to care for their child during the period of illness and hospitalisation.

Ø Patients and families are to be treated with dignity, respect and discretion whilst maintaining their confidentiality.

Ø Monitor and record observations on patients including temperature, pulse, respirations and oxygen saturations.

Ø Monitor and record Blood pressure.

Ø To perform monitor and record Blood Sugars as required

Ø To carry out routine urine testing, record results and report any abnormalities. Send urine specimens as appropriate.

Ø To escort patients to other departments throughout the hospital,

Ø After undertaking basic life support training, summon help and assist the qualified nurse in an emergency.

Ø To be able to deal with patients/families who have language barriers to enable understanding. Call interpreters as appropriate.

Nutrition

Ø To deliver meals to patients and families as appropriate.

Ø Assist in feeding patients as necessary.

Ø Bottle/spoon feed babies as required.

Ø Make up baby feeds as required.

Ø Assess feeding requirements and report to dietician, breastfeeding counsellor and speech and language therapist as required.

Ø Weigh and height children as required and document in child’s note and child health record.

Documentation.

Ø Maintain nursing records in accordance with trust policy.

Ø Complete all paperwork liaising and asking nursing staff for assistance as required.

Ø All written documentation must be clear, legible and signed, dated and timed. All entries must be counter-signed by a qualified member of staff.

Ø To fill in fluid charts and observation charts as required.

Ø Writing care plans using Clinical care guidelines after having teaching on care plans and been signed off as competent at writing care-plans. All entries must be signed off by a qualified member of staff.

Infection Control.

Ø Be aware of and adhere to the Trust guidelines relating to Infection prevention and control.

Ø Take steps to prevent cross infection by using universal precautions and hand hygiene. This includes wearing uniform in accordance with hospital policy and the use of spirigel appropriately.

Ø Assist in keeping the ward clean and tidy in accordance to health and safety.

Ø Bed linen to be changed daily. Beds, lockers bed tables and general bed areas to be cleaned thoroughly.

Ø To follow the Trust policy on the safe disposal of sharps.

Communication .

Ø To be able to communicate effectively with patients, families and members of the multidisciplinary team as well as other Trust staff and the general public.

Ø To answer the phone clearly and politely stating the ward name and who you are, and to relay all messages promptly and accurately.

Ø To be willing to undergo computer training, and familiarise yourself with the trust computer systems.

Health and Safety.

Ø To be able to do monthly Health and Safety checks and liaise with ward manager in doing so.

Ø Report any accidents and incidents according to Trust Policy.

Nursing duties to be undertaken under the guidance of a qualified

nurse .

Ø To undertake shared responsibility for delivering and maintaining a high standard of hygiene care to children. Reporting to the qualified nurse any changes in the child’s condition.

Ø To carryout weighing and heighting and recording this accurately in notes and child held record.

Ø Taking and recording observations as directed by a qualified nurse.

Ø Obtaining, testing and labelling routine specimens as directed by a qualified nurse.

Ø To be aware of the emotional and physical needs of children whilst in hospital and to provide appropriate support in conjunction with and under the supervision of a qualified nurse.

Ø To be aware of the needs of the families / carers and other visitors.

Ø To be aware of the importance of infection control and take steps to prevent cross infection.

Ø To actively participate in family centred care such that all direct nursing duties should be shared with parents if they so wish.

Ø To maintain accurate and legible records of care given under the supervision of a qualified nurse.

Ø To report any incident to the nurse in charge or ward manager.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities .

Ø Making and cleaning of beds, couches, desks and clinic rooms

Ø Ensuring that the immediate child’s environment is safe, clean and orderly.

Ø Maintaining the general tidiness and neatness of all areas, being aware of safe requirements.

Ø Maintaining unit stock at agreed levels, checking and emptying supplies, restocking, cleaning and tidying storage areas e.g. linen, equipment and treatment rooms.

Ø Answer the telephone, taking messages, dealing with enquiries or referring the caller on to qualified staff as necessary.

Ø Run errands for staff.