Job Description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Healthcare Assistant to join us at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital,

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust. There are various opportunities available within our Medical and Surgical inpatient wards. This role is suitable for an enthusiastic, caring and compassionate Healthcare Assistant who is keen to be part of a caring and compassionate team.



We are keen to hear from applicants who are motivated, hardworking and have a passion in providing high quality care for our patients.



Our wards provide 24/7 care and it is an expectation that successful candidates will work weekends and nights.



Previous applicants need not apply.



As a Healthcare Assistant in Gateshead Health NHS FT, you will be working along side Registered Nurses, Physicians and Allied Health Professionals to provide multidisciplinary care.



The role of the Healthcare Assistant is to support the delivery of fundamental nursing care, such as personal care, assisting with meals, mobility and monitoring. The Healthcare Assistant will work under the guidance of the Registered Nurse.



Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead.



Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients.



We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region.



Our values should be the 'golden thread' which runs through everything we do - they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronym ICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement.



We have a number of staff networks including the Global Ethnic Majority (GEM) network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women's Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our Armed Forces network is one of our emerging networks.



The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our 'Balance' programme balancegateshead.com to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.

Key responsibilities:

To abide by trust policies and procedures

Build and maintain safe and effective therapeutic relationships

Support individuals to contribute to collaborative care/support/recovery plans

Support the named nurse to develop collaborative individual, patient centred care plans and implement them creatively using initiative.

Communicate effectively with a wide range of people using a range of preferred methods

Contribute to monitoring, observing and engaging with individuals,

communicating outcomes and conclusions with the rest of the team

Gain an understanding of a person's experiences in relation to their mental health, learning disability and/or dementia.

Understand a person's coping strategies and strengths and support people to use these at times of distress or difficulty

Contribute to reflective practice and encourage compassion and understanding.



Be able to recognise increasing risk and alert significant others and the team to

respond as needed

Undertake a range of practical tasks and duties in support of the Team and

individual needs.

Follow principles of diffusion and de-escalation and where physical interventions or restraint are required, to approach in line with approved techniques considering the safety and dignity of the individual throughout.

To feel confident to be able to report untoward incidents and areas of concern as soon as they arise

To document any relevant information in an electronic record following relevant policy and legislation

Contribute to individual reviews and team meetings



Duties



Each individual has different needs however the list below outlines just some of the practical duties that the post holder will undertake, support and enable people to/with:

Using appropriate assessment tools under supervision to assist the registered practitioner in assessment of the patients' health and wellbeing needs.

Initiate emergency action when required e.g cardiac arrest, fire

Identify/contribute to their own goals to improve their quality of life

Participate in clinical skills as trained in line with role e.g recording ECG's

Contribute to their own care/support/recovery plans

Support individuals to express their needs and wishes

Promote their personal hygiene and physical health.

Actively engage in health promotion

Engage in meaningful and enjoyable activity

To support individuals with external activities/appointments under indirect supervision

May have responsibility for patient monies/valuables which need to be handled within GHFT guidelines

Assist individuals with activities of daily living.