Job Description

An exciting opportunity has opened up for Healthcare Support Worker to join our team. Make a move to our paediatric unit to make a difference to the experience of children, young people and families in Gloucestershire.



Healthcare Support Workers are a vital part of our team and we have a variety of in-house training courses to support your development. We provide an induction period delivered by our paediatric professional development team. We offer funded places on a variety of continuing professional development courses, including enhanced care skills, HCSW development programme and completion of the care certificate as well as the opportunity to progress to the Nurse Associate programme.



If you work well under pressure, have a can-do attitude and want to work in a dynamic environment we want to hear from you.

Additional working pattern details:

Shift work with rotation to nights



For further information, please contact Lisa via email lisa.underwood@nhs.net or 0300 422 8459



As a Healthcare support worker, you will be expected to deliver compassionate, safe, high quality, care for children of all ages within our large unit. We cover inpatient services, paediatric assessment unit, paediatric day unit as well as children's outpatient service.



You should be enthusiastic, motivated with good interpersonal skills and able to problem solve and prioritise during periods of pressure.



In collaboration with the multidisciplinary team, you will be required to deliver care that focuses on the direct needs of the individual.



Working in conjunction with the team to deliver safe patient and family centred care within a challenging and changing clinical environment.



With a team of over 9,000 employees, we are proud to be the largest employer in Gloucestershire and rank among the top 10 largest Trusts in the South West region. By joining our Trust, you will benefit from an excellent package that includes exclusive benefits, flexible working opportunities and the chance to gain valuable experience in one of our innovative hospitals. As well as generous annual leave allowance, access to the excellent NHS pension scheme, competitive bank rates, discounts at local shops and restaurants, access to two on-site nurseries, discounted public transport, reward and recognition and a range of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.



We are committed to diversity, inclusion and equality of opportunity for everyone, valuing and celebrating differences and encouraging a workplace and culture where all can thrive. We endeavour to ensure each and every person working in our organisation feel respected and valued. Respecting and valuing differences will help to ensure that our policies and services reflect the needs and experiences of the people and community we serve.



The Children's Centre is a purpose-built, modern unit which has recently been rated as 'Good' by the Care Quality Commission. The Centre offers a unique environment for nursing professionals to develop their paediatric experience across a range of areas: Inpatients, Paediatric Assessment Unit, High Dependency unit, Day unit, oncology shared care services and outpatients.



Knowledge, Skills & Experience Required



Certificate in Adult Literacy and Numeracy. Experience of working with children in a care, health or education setting. Appropriate verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills. Knowledge of basic nursing and personal care and some understanding of the key developmental stages of children. Ability to deal with non-routine and unpredictable nature of the workload and individual patient contact and be flexible and responsive to working environment Practical ability, prioritisation and time management. Demonstrate potential for further development. Awareness of Child Protection Issues and the procedure to report concerns. Care certificate completed

Communication, interpersonal skills and personal qualities



The ability to communicate with colleagues, patients and their relatives with sensitivity and empathy Be able to work under pressure Be pro-active and take initiative Understanding of the importance of the promotion of health and wellbeing (Making Every Contact Count). Ability to work effectively as a team member and as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Ability to communicate with members of the public and health and care providers. To communicate effectively, especially where patient ability to do so is compromised. On occasions, the job holder may be exposed to distressing or emotional circumstances. Communicate effectively across a wide range of channels and with a wide range of individuals, the public, health and social care professionals, maintaining the focus of communication on delivering and improving health and care services. Communicate with individuals, carers and other visitors in a courteous and helpful manner, whilst being mindful that there may be barriers to understand.

Clinical Practice



As a Healthcare support worker, the expectation is that, with adequate training, supervision and assessment, you will be able to;



Be competent in the use of all relevant Trust IT systems including the use of electronic patient record, email, and Trak-Care Maintain regular use of emails to keep abreast of information disseminated in the Trust Working within the multidisciplinary team supporting the delivery of assessed and evaluated programmes of family centred care. Maintain discretion and understanding of confidentiality and data protection. Support individuals with all aspects of care including daily living, providing person-centred care Perform and record clinical observations with competency including blood pressure, temperature, respirations and pulse. Accurately record nutritional and fluid intake. Maintain accurate and contemporaneous patient records Ensure the privacy, dignity and safety of individuals is maintained at all times Provide enhanced care for patients requiring this level of care Recognise issues relating to safeguarding vulnerable children and adults and report any problems or raise concerns to the appropriate Registered Care professionals. Demonstrate the ability to recognise changing priorities, seeking advice and guidance from the Registered Nurse or other registered care professionals as appropriate. Assist in maintaining a safe and healthy environment, by ensuring orderliness and hygiene and safety of the ward/department Assist the smooth running of the ward by carrying out other duties including unpacking stores, tidying and cleaning equipment To support nursing team in the care delivery of patients across specialities To deliver safe care within a challenging and changing clinical environment, using equipment and resources safely and as appropriate. To adhere to all Trust policies and procedures and professional code of conduct To deliver and receive information, which may cause emotional distress to all parties. Time management skills and prioritising Insight into own skills and knowledge and know when to signpost or ask for advice Keeping up to date with own skills and changes to clinical practices

Leadership and management



Report any accidents or incidents and raise any concerns as per organisational policy. Promote health and safety maintaining best practice in health, safety and security. Share ideas with colleagues to improve care and suggest areas for innovation. Participate in audit activities being undertaken in area of practice. To assist in meeting service delivery targets. No budgetary responsibility. No direct management responsibility, but a requirement for collaborative working. Comply with Trust and Departmental policies and procedures e.g. Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), Manual Handling, clinical equipment competency, risk management, Data Protection Acts and patient confidentiality at all times. Report near misses and untoward incidents, complaints, clinical emergencies, injury as detailed in the departmental and Trust protocols. Assist lead staff in investigating incidents as required.

Physical, Mental & Emotional Effort & Working Conditions



Will be required to utilise recognised manual handling techniques and guidelines May be expected to frequently manoeuvre patients/objects over 15 kg using appropriate aids Will have frequent exposure to unpleasant working conditions and will be required to follow policies and procedures pertaining to bodily fluids, infection control, infestations and COSHH regulations Frequent exposure to distressing and emotionally demanding situations involving patients and relatives Some exposure to patients displaying verbal and physical abuse There is the on-going requirement to maintain excellent standards of care whilst working under pressure in an ever-changing and challenging environment * May be required to work in confined spaces.