Apprentice Health Care Support Worker

The Level 3 Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship at Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable clinical experience and training in community hospital settings.

An apprenticeship is suitable for anyone who has an interest in pursuing a career within healthcare as well as gaining a Level 3 Diploma in Clinical Healthcare.

Healthcare assistants play a vital role in the care of patients; working under the direction of healthcare professionals they take care of the day-to-day needs of patients by providing help with personal care, meals and mobility. They also carry out a range of housekeeping duties as well as performing patient observations such as taking a patient’s temperature, pulse, respiration rate and blood pressure.

The job of a healthcare assistant is a physical one. Daily responsibilities include:

- Assisting in the delivery of high quality patient care, promoting rehabilitation and independence under the supervision of qualified staff.
- Using a degree of initiative to ensure patient’s personal needs are met, and the patient’s condition is reported to qualified staff.
- Assisting in maintaining a safe and healthy environment, by ensuring orderliness and hygiene and safety of the ward/department.
- Gaining competencies in skills specific to the role and department.

At all times ensuring a high standard of care is delivered to patients, carers and visitors and a kind, caring and professional attitude, whilst considering dignity, privacy, cultural and religious needs are maintained.

The apprentice will receive Induction and training appropriate to the activities he or she will undertake, and following this induction period will be enrolled to the (L3) SeniorHealthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship Standard, with the selected training provider.

The apprentice will be expected to complete the elements of the apprenticeship within a 18-month timeframe and includes the following qualifications:

- Level 3 Diploma in Clinical Healthcare
- Level 3 Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship Standard
- Level 2 English Functional Skills
- Level 2 Maths Functional Skills

At Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, we are supportive of the people we care for in the community and aim to provide a fully responsive service to everyone who needs it. This is the same approach we take for our employees. We look to value the skills and experiences of those we work with, whether they are service users, carers, families or those looking to work with us.

Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust is part of the NHS. We treat NHS patients according to NHS principles and standards. The difference is the Trust is accountable to local people, rather than to Government, and so we are able to work closely with our community to develop services in the way that best suits the needs of local people.

Our Staff Survey results showed people at our Trust feel they are engaged, part of a team and work for a compassionate and inclusive organisation.

Our overall scores were better than average in eight of nine themes and level in one - the best overall results for a community, mental health and learning disabilities Trust in the south west and first equal amongst all sector NHS providers within the region too.

As a Health Care Assistant/ Support Worker you will be responsible for participating and assisting in the delivery of care / services to patients and service users as part of a Mental Health and Social Care Health Service. Health Care Assistant, Social Care Workers and other Healthcare Support Workers employed by the Trust are required to follow the guidance set out in Code of Conduct for Health Care Assistants/ Health Care Support Workers to provide safe and compassionate care of a high standard, and to challenge others who are not.

You will receive direct supervision and partake in reflective practice / training on a regular basis and be required to meet the Care Certificate standards. All successful applicants will also have the opportunity to discuss the prospect of undertaking a Level 3 Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship alongside their substantive post. This apprenticeship would include the Level 3 Diploma in Clinical Healthcare.

Gloucestershire Health and Care is committed to embedding and providing personalised care through all of its services as part of our high-quality care strategy. The purpose of personalised care is to empower people to lead the lives they want to live. Personalised care starts with a conversation with people about what matters to them. It builds on what people can do, as well as addressing their health needs. Including new ways of working and delivering care, emphasising that we need to make effective use of the full range of our people’s skills and experience to deliver the best possible patient care. So we want to know What Matters to You and that you will share our values and join us on this ver