Respiratory Assistant

Are you currently working within health or social care and want a new challenge to develop your experience and be part of transforming local care for Medway?
- Do you have a desire to work in Respiratory and be part of a team?
- Are you dynamic, proactive and thrive to make a difference?
- Do you hold a full driving licence?

If you answered yes and are passionate about improving the health and wellbeing for people we have just the role for you

We have an exciting opportunity for a respiratory assistant to join our team working alongside nurses, physiotherapists and senior respiratory assistants.
- The community respiratory team works to support patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial lung disease and bronchiectasis. - We see patients in their homes and in clinic settings.
- We also provide a point of contact for patients via the telephone.
- The Community Respiratory Team liaises closely with the local hospitals, GPs and other health care professionals via mail and telephone.
- A new set up of the Virtual wards will include managing patients in their home settings and setting up virtual equipment, helping prevention of hospital admissions.

So what else?
- This is your chance to join a progressive and innovative service in a social enterprise that is patient and staff focused - you’ll even have the opportunity to become an MCH shareholder.
- We encourage staff to get involved in exploring new ways of working and service development.
- We’ll provide well established, in-service training, one to one supervision, and appraisals with regular support.
- You’ll be able to develop your skills in a friendly and supportive team.

Would you like to work flexibly? In the NHS, we are reminded every day of how importantwork life balance is. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement”

The small print
- Informal visits can be arranged on request.
- We will offer you the choice of two pension schemes; the NHS Pension scheme and our Scottish Widows group personal pension.
- MCH encourages all staff to be double COVID vaccinated to protect themselves, their colleagues, their family and their patients.

To work as a member of the Community Respiratory multidisciplinary team under the guidance of professionally qualified members of the team, to assist in the provision of respiratory care to patients with chronic lung disease, having regard for health and safety at work and the need for confidentiality.

In liaison with the Lead for Respiratory Service and other members of the multi-disciplinary team:

- Assist in the treatment of patients with COPD, Bronchiectasis and Interstitial Lung Disease in the Medway community.
- Implement set up of Virtual equipment in patients homes and support the Virtual ward initiative
- Implement a treatment and rehabilitation program for the patient as instructed by the qualified team members.
- To support the administration and organisation of the respiratory service.
- Assist in the ongoing development and evaluation of the respiratory service.

**Summary of Service**:
The community respiratory team works to support patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Interstitial Lung Disease and Bronchiectasis. We see patients in their homes and in clinic settings. We also provide a point of contact for patients via the telephone. The Community Respiratory Team also liaises closely with the local hospitals, GPs and other health care professionals via mail and telephone.

1. Communication and Relationship Skills
- Give consideration of the needs and well-being of relatives/carers and promote relative/carer participation in care programmes.
- Respect individual clients and their environment, maintaining confidentiality at all times.
- To attend and contribute to multi-disciplinary team meetings as appropriate.
- Develop skills to communicate with clients and their relatives using reassurance, tact and empathy skills, and may have to overcome barriers to understanding when dealing with clients and difficult issues.

1. Knowledge, Training and Experience
- Literate and numerate.
- Good verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to work in a team and under the supervision of qualified staff.
- Ability to follow written, verbal and visual instructions and treatment programs.
- Able to use to initiative.
- To gain experience of working with a range of people.
- Able to take on a range of administrative tasks.
- To develop the ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
- Knowledge of personal care and/or community working.

1. Analytical and Judgement Skills
- To liaise fully at all times with team members with particular reference to the condition of the patient and their progress.
- To be aware of own competency and how to seek appropriate action.
- To use ob