Healthcare Assistant

Wincanton Community Hospital has 21 beds providing rehabilitation, general medical and palliative care in a community setting.

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic, motivated and compassionate Health Care Assistant to join our inpatient nursing team to provide care centred on the patient’s individual needs.

The successful candidate will have previous HCA experience and ideally an NVQ 2 in Health & Social Care but this is not essential as you will be provided with an internal induction programme and opportunities to develop skills.

The successful candidate will need to demonstrate a compassionate and caring approach to their care delivery, working with patients who have undergone surgery or been medically unwell to support their rehabilitation. They should also have a genuine interest in nursing older people who may need encouragement to meet their full potential in order to return to their own homes.

You will be a reliable team player, have excellent communication skills, a kind and compassionate manner and be willing to work flexibly. You will be required to work on an internal rotation, which will include days and nights over seven days.

We are looking for a part time or full time Health Care Assistant to join this established team. Experience of working in care would be an advantage, but not essential as we will provide you with full training and support to help you succeed. There is an expectation that hours are worked flexibly which includes nights and weekends.

We’d like to hear from caring, dynamic and forward-thinking professionals who is able to work well in a team. With the patient at the centre of all you do, you will require good communication skills, be assertive and provide a high standard of care with the support of the ward Sister and Registered Nurses.

If you are ready for a new adventure, with different scenery and a committed friendly team - then you would love to work with us!
Somerset Foundation Trust also offers fully paid corporate & mandatory training days.

As an organisation, the NHS offers a wide range of benefits including flexible working, fantastic pension contributions, market leading annual leave allowance, career progression and regular conversations, not to mention our Blue Light Card and NHS exclusive discounts.

The benefits of working in Somerset include the idyllic countryside, with our areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines. You will get to enjoy these perks whilst still only being a stone’s throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London.

There are excellent educational facilities in the area and, when compared to other regions, house prices are reasonable. You will to experience the best of both in Somerset, the countryside and the cosmopolitan – there is truly something for everyone!

• Assisting and enabling patients with all activities of daily living. Maintaining personal hygiene and appearance, including dressing and undressing, washing hair, shaving males, cutting nails and oral care.
• Assisting patients to eat and drink, ensuring liaison with qualified staff regarding intervention, monitoring and diet sheets. Accurate recording of amounts taken. Ensure patient menus are filled out assisting patients where necessary, reviewing and discussing with qualified staff as needed.
• Assist and enable patients to use toilet facilities, monitoring and reporting changes to senior staff. Contribute to the management of patient continence.
• Contribute to the movement and handling of patients to maximise their physical comfort, referring and adhering to manual handling guidelines.
• Assist patients with routine exercises and mobility using aids as instructed by the therapist/qualified nurse.
• On admission to the ward orientate patient to bed space, locker, toilet facilities and call bell. Contribute to care of patients’ property.
• Make occupied and unoccupied beds, stripping linen and remaking with clean when necessary.
• Escort patients as directed by a qualified nurse.