Job summary

We are looking to appoint health care support Assistants who are enthusiastic, motivated with a passion for caring to join our dedicated Team on Fielding Ward.
We are a 27 bedded adult cardiology ward caring for patients with a variety of cardiac conditions including arrhythmia, angina, myocardial infarction, heart failure and patients pre and post surgery.

As a Health Care Assistant you will work as part of a large multidisciplinary team and will play a key role in delivering the fundamentals of care for patients under the supervision of a nurse, whilst supporting patients to achieve the shared goals. Individuals should be able to demonstrate excellent communication skills who are willing to learn and take on new challenges as the service develops.

Main duties, tasks & skills required

Experience of working in a care setting would be advantageous but all necessary skills training, professional updates and mandatory training as appropriate to the post will be provided.

Full details of duties can be found in the job description.

There will be an expectation of a flexible approach to shifts patterns.

Please be advised – this vacancy may close early if we reach a sufficient amount of applications.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we’re committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you’ll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away – and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it’s a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all – the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Job description

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING

• Evidence of secondary education

Desirable

• QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING
• Care Certificate (Skills for Care) inhouse training or prepared to undertake within agreed timescale
• Vocational level 2 Healthcare or prepared to undertake within agree time scale

Experience

Essential

SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Previous experience in a care environment or able to demonstrate a caring nature/ life experience.
• Understands the need for strict confidentiality
• Understanding of the health or social care setting.
• Understanding of the concept of promoting independence.
• Be flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of the individual and the service.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

• Able to demonstrate empathy, sensitivity, and to adapt communication style to circumstances.
• Good standards of written communication skills, with the ability to use email and internet.
• Good verbal communication skills with an ability to provide and receive routine information.

PLANNING & ORGANISING SKILLS

• Able to prioritise and organise workload
• Able to work under instruction and as part of a team
• Able to work under pressure

PHYSICAL SKILLS

• Basic keyboard skills
• Ability to undertake manual handling training to assist the movement and handling of patients adhering to manual handling guidelines
• Assist and enable patients with all activities of daily living – maintaining personal hygiene, dressing and appearance
• Assist patients to eat and drink
• Assist and enable patients to use toilet facilities

Additional Criteria

Essential

OTHER

• Works well in a busy environment
• Willingness to work flexibly to cover a variety of shift patterns.
• Adaptable/ flexible
• Good time keeping

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

For help with your application, contact:

Julie Napier

julie.napier@somersetft.nhs.uk

01823342015