Healthcare Assistant

Healthcare Assistant, Operating Theatres, Band 2
We are recruiting for an enthusiastic and motivated Health Care Assistant to join our Theatre team. This post would be ideal for a person who in the long term is pursuing a formal career in medicine or one of the allied healthcare roles and is able to demonstrate this desire. On that basis we are considering applicants with experience in this field as well as applicants with no prior experience in this field. We have 11 operating theatres covering a range of surgical specialties and Burns for adults and children.
You will support the qualified staff in preparing equipment and the theatres to deliver safe standards of quality care for patients requiring surgery. You will be supported whilst you are learning, and therefore a flexible approach is required as there is a need to work different shift patterns, some weekends and some night shifts.
You need to be kind and compassionate and be a team player who learns to anticipate and be ready to work in a busy department.
If you believe you have these traits we would like to hear from you.
We welcome department visits us and we will be pleased to show you around and answer any questions you may have.
Please note that the job description supplied is generic to the healthcare assistant role and not specific to the operating room.
PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT APPLY
PLEASE NOTE THE ADVERT WILL BE CLOSED ONCE SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED
Healthcare assistants (HCAs) are a vital part of the team that supports the staff and patients in wards and departments throughout the hospital. Working under the direction of qualified nursing/ midwifery staff, healthcare assistants carry out a wide range of duties to care for, support, and provide information to patients and their families and the role can be very varied depending upon the area in which the person is employed.
They also carry out a range of housekeeping duties, as well as performing basic medical checks, such as taking a patient’s temperature, pulse and respiration rate
The post holder will aim to ensure that all patients are provided with a safe and high quality standard of care. They will be aware of the Care Quality Commission standards and support the multi-disciplinary team ensuring that they are maintained. The individual must provide a patient cantered approach and will be expected to uphold and maintain the standards of care to support a culture of compassionate care. The post holder will also work closely with the administration staff to provide additional administrative support to the service as required
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites—Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital—along with award-winning clinics across North West London.
Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5 million, providing full clinical services, including maternity, A&E, and children’s services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health clinics. The Care Quality Commission rates us 'Good' in safety, effectiveness, care, and responsiveness, and 'Outstanding' in leadership and resource use.
We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and Westminster and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex.
Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites.
**Clinical Support Role**:
Under direct supervision assist with the delivery of care plan as described by the Registered Nurse.
Assist patients with their care needs as required reporting any change in the patient’s condition to the registered nurse/ midwife
Support the Registered Nurse/ Midwife and other health professionals with the mobilization or transfer of patients
Develop awareness of patients in pain and discomfort and report any changes in the patient’s condition to the registered Nurse/ Midwife
Have an awareness of patient’s dietary needs, delivering meals, providing patients with drinks where necessary and providing assistance with eating and drinking if required
Demonstrate an understanding of the different needs of individual patients and their carers/ families
Develop an awareness of vulnerable patients and their safe guarding needs
Prepare the theatre for surgery ensuring infection control procedures are adhered to.
Assist theatre staff to assemble requirements for surgery
Act as circulating nurse during surgery to provide all required items during surgery and maintain patient safety
Cleaning of the environment between patient
Support the patient’s with their elimination needs recording quantities and frequency on the relevant documentation charts as prescribed by the Registered Nurse/ Midwife
Develop an awareness of effective pressure area care and skin assessment supporting the patient to maintain their skin integrity
Support the Registered Nurse/ Midwife and ot