L3 Health Care Assistant

Job overview

We're on the lookout for a dynamic Health Care Assistant to join our Clinical Team. Are you a natural-born caregiver who holds an NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care and has at least two years of experience working with children.

You'll be working hand in hand with our Respite Nurses and Play team to ensure our families receive the best care possible. This means helping to provide a clean, safe, supportive environment for children who are life-limited, life-threatened, or living with severe disabilities.

You're also be creating magical moments that'll stay with our families for a lifetime. Whether it's a small act of kindness or a fun-filled family event, you're always willing to go the extra mile to make sure everyone has a blast.

If you are curious about creativity and play for children with severe disabilities and complex nursing needs, and you're never one to shy away from trying new things.

Most importantly, you're a compassionate and empathetic person who knows how to communicate with anyone and everyone. Let's make some unforgettable memories together!

Job description

Work as part of the clinical team to provide respite to the children that we support. Help to provide a clean, safe and caring environment working closely with our nurses to ensure all needs of the children are met, in line with their care plans.

Job responsibilities

Key responsibilities and accountabilities

Health Care

• Contribute positively towards the maintenance of a child and family focused environment within Kites Corner
• Recognise the skills and experience of the family in meeting the individual care needs of their child and work in partnership with them to provide holistic care.

• Assist nursing staff in delivering safe quality care to the children staying at Kites Corner.
• Maintain agreed standards of care.
• Contribute to the monitoring and review of care plans by communicating any changes to the childs care needs.
• Recognise play is an important activity for all children and provide a stimulating and enjoyable environment for the children, appropriate to their developmental stage.
• Speak to the lead nurse or Nursing Management Team at any time there is a concern regarding the childs condition or any aspects of the childs care.

• Work flexibly under the guidance of the clinical team to support the childrens needs.
• Identify and follow the childs care routine and established pattern of care, negotiating any changes with the child and family.
• The safeguarding of children and young people is everyones responsibility and you are expected to pass onto the appropriate manager any child safeguarding concerns that you may have that arise in the course of your work.
• Every staff member has a responsibility to maintain confidential, accurate and timely records.
• Complete all documented housekeeping tasks as required to ensure Kites Corner remains clean and safe.
• Maintain an awareness of the diversity of families supported by James Hopkins Trust and ensure that the cultural needs of the children and families are met appropriately.
• Ensure professional boundaries are maintained and that due attention is paid to confidentiality, privacy and dignity at all times.

Personal Development

• Recognise your level of competence and ability and work within them at all times.
• Always ask for assistance if you feel unsure.
• Take advantage of training opportunities to further develop your skills and expertise to enhance your role within the James Hopkins Trust Clinical Team including mandatory training sessions.
• Ensure that all mandatory training is completed as requested.
• You will be expected to attend your individual performance reviews, clinical supervisions and mandatory training sessions.

Responsibility for Clinical Governance and Quality

• Participate in quality control monitoring and auditing processes to ensure the safe delivery of care and maintain high standards through best practice
• Be proactive in identifying ways of improving practice.
• Identify ways of continued quality improvement, using reflective practice through clinical supervision
• Actively complete incident documentation in line with a no blame approach and James Hopkins Trusts whistle-blowing policy
• Adhere to and comply with all James Hopkins Trusts policies and procedures

Teamwork

• Take responsibility for ensuring good teamwork and a flexible approach are maintained within the clinical team and the wider Organisation.
• To participate in on the job training programmes and teaching sessions
• To participate in the orientation of new staff, students and volunteers.
• To help with the organisation of James Hopkins Trust events for the families
• Actively guide and supervise volunteers working with the children.
• Inform the relevant line manager of incidents and concerns using agreed processes.
• Carry out any reasonable additional duty as agreed by the Clinical Manager to meet the changing requirements of the service.

Communication

• In line with James Hopkins Trusts vision, mission and values; encourage the philosophy of James Hopkins Trust with acts of kindness and helping to make magic memories.
• Always present a good public image
• Take responsibility for using the appropriate channels to ensure good communication is maintained within the Organisation at all times
• Attend team briefings and participate in other meetings as appropriate, may include external meetings.

Health and Safety

• Ensure that infection control guidelines and policies are strictly adhered to.
• Follow risk assessments to ensure that children, families, visitors and colleagues are safe.
• Be aware of all Health and Safety issues and adhere to all the James Hopkins Trust policies.
• Be aware of all Fire, Health and Safety regulations at Kites Corner and maintain a safe working environment at all times.

Ways of working and collaborating

• Make a positive contribution to the team and the wider Organisation by playing an active role in growing excellent working relationships within all areas of James Hopkins Trust, such as families, volunteers and staff members.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to creating an inclusive, equal and diverse workplace
• Work within all of James Hopkins Trusts policies, processes and procedures at all times.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of current and planned activities
• To carry out any additional tasks and projects as reasonably requested in line with the general responsibility of the role.

About the organisation

Each role here at James Hopkins Trust is vital to enable us to provide high quality, family led care. Whether working as part of the Clinical team or as part of the Charity team you'll know you're helping to improve the quality of life for life-limited and life-threatened young children and their families. You'll be working with a team of talented, passionate, caring individuals who are committed to making James Hopkins Trust the centre of excellence in Gloucestershire when it comes to providing nursing respite care for young children.

We are dedicated to providing a safe and nurturing environment for all children to thrive and have some fun. We understand the challenges that families face when caring for children with complex medical needs, and we are committed to offering them a much-needed break while ensuring that their children receive the care and attention they deserve.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Good general education including GCSE in Maths & English Language at grade C/4 or equivalent
• NVQ Level 3 in health & social care, child care or equivalent
• Demonstrates high standards of care
• Ability to maintain boundaries.
• Willingness to learn and undertake appropriate training
• Proven experience of communicating sensitively in challenging situations with patients and families
• Excellent interpersonal and team working skills
• Treats all children, young people and families with dignity, respect and understanding
• Ability to work under supervision and recognise own limits.
• Ability to work constructively within a team
• Demonstrates initiative, reliability and a flexible approach to working
• Ability to work rotational shifts including nights/weekend work.
• Ability and willingness to undergo further appropriate training.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Desirable

• Children & young people safeguarding
• Have undertaken communication training e.g. PECS/Makaton
• Awareness of related voluntary and statutory organisations
• Knowledge/experience of working for a charity
• Worked with children and younger individuals with complex nursing needs
• To be able to support individuals who express strong emotions.
• Have a holistic approach to all care provided.
• Have an awareness of and be supportive of the James Hopkins Trusts Five Year Strategic Business Plan.
• Demonstrate motivation and commitment towards personal and professional development