JOB INFORMATION PACK HEALTHCARE ASSSISTANT - www.sath.nhs.uk - NHS Jobs in Shrewsbury
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HEALTHCARE ASSSISTANT
JOB INFORMATION PACK
1
www.sath.nhs.uk
CONTENTS This pack has information on the role of the healthcare assistant, including entry requirements and skills needed. 3 ABOUT THE TRUST 6 THE ROLE OF A HEALTHCARE ASSISTANT 10 OUR VALUES 13 LIVING AND WORKING IN SHROPSHIRE 16 HOW TO APPLY www.sath.nhs.uk 2
ABOUT THE TRUST
The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) is the
main provider of acute hospital services for around half a
million people in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and mid-Wales.
Encompassing some of the most picturesque parts of We also provide services such as consultant-led
England and Wales, the Trust’s catchment stretches outreach clinics at the Wrekin Community Clinic,
from the Cambrian Mountains in the west, to Newport Telford, the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt
and the fringes of the Black Country in the east. Orthopaedic Hospital, Gobowen and the
Bridgnorth, Ludlow and Whitchurch Community
The main towns include: Bridgnorth, Ludlow, Market
Hospitals.
Drayton, Oswestry, Shrewsbury and Whitchurch (in
Shropshire); Newport, Telford and Wellington (in Telford
We employ almost 6,000 staff, and hundreds of
& Wrekin); and Newtown and Welshpool (in Powys) –
staff and students from other organisations also
all beautiful and unique.
work in our hospitals. We benefit from around
Our main service locations are the Princess Royal 1,000 wonderful volunteers, and our main
Hospital (PRH) in Telford and the Royal Shrewsbury charitable partners are the League of Friends at
Hospital (RSH) in Shrewsbury which are located 20 the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, Friends of the
minutes drive apart. Together they provide 99% of our Princess Royal Hospital, and the Lingen Davies
activity. Both hospitals provide a wide range of acute Cancer Appeal which is based at the Royal
hospital services including accident & emergency, Shrewsbury Hospital.
outpatients, diagnostics, inpatient medical care and
critical care.
3 www.jobs.sath.nhs.uk
PRINCESS ROYAL HOSPITAL
TELFORD (PRH)
PRH opened in 1989. It generally serves Telford & Wrekin and
eastern Shropshire, as well as being the Trust’s main centre
for inpatient head and neck services (and currently
hyper-acute and acute stroke services on a temporary basis).
PRH has approximately 285 acute adult inpatient beds and 36 acute paediatric inpatient beds, with 3 beds
allocated for haematology and oncology, and an 8 bedded Children’s Assessment Unit. It also has 24 surgical
day case beds and a 20 station renal dialysis unit. The hospital also includes a private outpatient facility (the
Apley Clinic).
The hospital currently provides A&E, inpatient, outpatient and day case facilities. Services include; general and
acute medicine, inpatient head and neck, cardiology, breast surgery, urology, critical care, trauma and
orthopaedic services, paediatric services, emergency treatment, and renal dialysis. PRH also provides day-case
treatment for general surgery including; paediatrics, ophthalmology, haematology, and oncology.
In September 2014 PRH became our main centre for inpatient women and children’s service when the £28
million Shropshire Women and Children’s Centre opened. The centre includes consultant-led maternity
services, with a standalone midwifery-led unit on site, and is supported by a level 2 neonatal unit.
www.sath.nhs.uk 4
ROYAL SHREWSBURY HOSPITAL
SHREWSBURY (RSH)
RSH opened in 1977 (although some services, such as the midwife-led
unit, have been provided on the hospital site since the 1960s). It
generally serves Shrewsbury, western Shropshire and mid-Wales, as
well as being the Trust’s main centre for cancer services and acute
surgery.
RSH has approximately 370 acute adult inpatient beds, in addition to 30 surgical day case beds, a 16 station
chemotherapy day centre, and 24 renal dialysis stations. RSH provides; A&E, inpatient, outpatient and day-case
services. Specialties include general and acute medicine, cardiology, general surgery, colorectal and upper GI surgery,
vascular surgery, urology, gynaecology, critical care, trauma and orthopaedic services, medical day case for
paediatrics from Monday to Friday, emergency treatment, oncology and haematology, renal, and ophthalmology.
The Shropshire and Mid-Wales Fertility Centre relocated to Severn Fields Heath Village in November 2018 and is one
of the top IVF clinics in the country. The department now consists of a large secure admin area; an outpatient and
diagnostics area, a clinical hub which features state-of-the-art laboratories, treatment rooms, and recovery area.
The £5 million Lingen Davies Centre provides improved facilities for oncology and haematology patients. The new
surgical assessment and surgical short stay unit is part of RSH as our main centre for inpatient acute surgery. Since
the opening of the Shropshire Women and Children’s Centre at PRH in Telford, RSH has continued to provide
midwife-led maternity services and outpatient services.
5 www.jobs.sath.nhs.uk
THE ROLE OF A HEALTHCARE ASSISTANT
OVERVIEW
In this role, you will have the opportunity to personally make a difference to our patients’ lives and the lives of
their carers and relatives every single day. Our Healthcare Assistants work at the heart of our multidisciplinary
teams who support our patients by assisting the Registered Nurses in planning, delivering and evaluating care. This
will require you to be able to communicate effectively with a broad range of individuals, both verbally and in
writing; to share our commitment to maintaining high standards in everything we do; and to demonstrate that
you can work effectively within a team that behaves in accordance with our values.
Healthcare assistants (HCAs) work in hospital under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional. The roles
are varied and busy as you will be working a variety of shifts including ‘long days’, nights, weekends and bank
holidays.
WORKING LIFE
The work varies depending on where you're based, in a hospital for example, you may be:
• washing and dressing patients
• serving meals and helping to feed patients
• helping people to move around
• toileting
• making beds
• talking to patients and making them comfortable
• monitoring patients' conditions by taking temperatures, pulse, respirations and weight
As well as nurses, HCAs work with doctors, midwives and other healthcare professionals. As a HCA you will have
a lot of contact with patients.
www.sath.nhs.uk 6
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
The essential educational requirement for working at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital as a healthcare
assistant is :
• GCSE in Maths and English – new grades grades 2-3 (essential) or higher (desirable)
• Previous GCSE grades in Maths and English – D-E (essential) or higher (desirable)
or equivalent
Level 1 Functional Skills in Maths and English (essential)
Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths and English (desirable)
If you haven’t got these qualifications (eg if you have been out of education for a long time), there are a
number of ways in which you can achieve them after some study or practice. Successful completion of the
study and/or test will enable you to obtain the necessary certificate as evidence that you are able to use these
skills at the required level for the post. You can use the resources signposted below (others are available):
Free Online Study and Testing Sites (some may charge for the test)
• www.learndirect.com
• www.moveon.org.uk
• www.excellencegateway.org.uk
• www.bbc.co.uk/teach/skillwise
Face to Face Sources of Support
• Telford College, Haybridge Rd, Wellington (01952) 642200
• Shrewsbury College, London Rd, Shrewsbury (01743 342342)
• Job Centre, Telford House, Southwater Way, Town Centre, Telford (0800 1690190)
• Job Centre, Princess House, The Square, Shrewsbury (0800 1690190)
If you an existing member of SaTH staff, you may contact Recruitment to arrange an internal test.
7 www.jobs.sath.nhs.uk
ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
To be a healthcare assistant, you’ll need to be:
• caring and kind
• cheerful and friendly
• willing to be hands-on with patients (eg moving and handling)
• willing to do personal care tasks (washing, toileting, feeding etc)
• able to follow instructions and procedures
• able to work in a team but use your own initiative
You’ll also need
• communication skills, including listening
• organisation skills and working efficiently
• observational skills
• attention to detail (eg completing patient records)
• ability to prioritise tasks and work unsupervised when required
PAY AND CONDITIONS
Healthcare assistants usually work standard hours of around 37.5 hours per week. Shifts vary depending on what
area you will work in and can include nights, long days (eg 12 hr shifts), evenings and weekends. In the NHS,
HCAs are paid on the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay system. In many areas, flexible and part-time working
arrangements are possible.
You would start at the Agenda for Change band 2 (currently £17,652 - £19,020 per annum for full time
depending on experience). With further training and experience, you could apply for posts at bands 3 and 4.
WHERE CAN THE ROLE LEAD TO?
With experience and further training, you could become a higher level healthcare assistant. You could also apply
to train as a nursing associate and when qualified you could take up a band 4 role within the organisation. With
the appropriate qualifications/evidence of academic ability, you could also go on to study and train as one of the
many degree-level healthcare professionals such as a nurse, podiatrist, midwife or occupational therapist.
www.sath.nhs.uk 8
CHELSEY DAVISON
HEALTHCARE ASSISTANT - SURGICAL ASSESSMENT UNIT
How did you develop into the role?
In July 2016 I started at SaTH on The Surgical Assessment Unit. It was a big career change for me as I had
always worked in retail. However, as soon as I started I knew I loved it and couldn’t see myself doing anything
else apart from progressing hopefully to a Registered Nurse. I’ve undertaken more training in order for me to
be able to cannulate and take bloods from patients as the ward is always so busy.
What does a typical day for you involve?
Coming onto shift, we take handovers for the patients already admitted onto the Ward. Alongside this, we
have patients being admitted through Shrop Doc, GP Referrals and A&E, as well as having scheduled patients
coming into our clinic. I will do patient’s observations on arrival; heart rate, blood pressure, temperature,
respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, a routine MRSA swab, blood sugars, cannulate and take blood from
patients if needed.
What’s your favourite part of the job?
My favourite parts of my job are meeting new people and the fact that no day is ever the same. I enjoy
helping patients, as well as their family members. I love the fact that I can make a difference to someone. I
also really enjoy working with a great team on my Ward – which I feel we have.
What’s your biggest achievement?
Working full time, as well as completing the Access To Higher Education In Health Course to get me into
University, alongside having my son. Being offered places in different universities last year to do a degree In
Adult Nursing was also great.
www.sath.nhs.uk 9
OUR TRUST VALUES
Our Trust Values provide a guide for our daily lives which we
are all expected to uphold, both at work and when we are
representing the Trust.
Our Values were developed by staff and our patients, so they
represent what is important to us within the organisation and
the way we should all behave towards patients, carers, visitors,
partners and each other.
You will see our Values throughout the Trust;
they are not just words on a page, they represent
what we are about here at SaTH. We want
patients and their families to say that the care
and service they receive from all of us is
consistently high-quality, safe, effective and
personalised, so the feelings behind the Values
shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone working
in the NHS.
The reason why it is important that they are
clearly written down is so we all know what’s
expected, and none of us are surprised if we are
asked to explain any unacceptable behaviour.
Ultimately, if we follow our Values, we will
provide services that are better for our patients
and better for each other.
10 www.jobs.sath.nhs.uk11VALUES BASED INTERVIEW PREPARATION
The Trust now recruits all members of staff via a Values,
behaviours and attitudes interview (also referred to as
Values-based interview or VBI). The purpose of a Values,
behaviours and attitudes interview is to measure whether your
attitudes and behaviours align to the Trust’s. We only want
great people.
The interview will be split between a skills-based interview and a Values-based interview – this could either be a
combined panel, or a separate Values-based and main panel.
All questions within the values-based interview have been developed around our four Values (which can be
found on the next page). The questions will ask for real life experiences, so we advise that you have a think
about how you have demonstrated our Values in the past - examples can be from work, or from an experience.
For example, where you’re been proud of the care or work you’ve delivered or maybe where you haven’t been
as proud and the circumstances which surrounded your experience.
It might appear obvious but it is important that you prepare for the day.
• Make sure you are familiar with the job description and person specification.
• Remind yourself of what you wrote in your application on how you met those requirements.
• Learn about the organisation itself – what makes it different from others and whether those differences will
have an impact on your work.
• Think about what type of questions will be asked about yourself and write down some thoughts on how you
might answer them.
• Prepare some questions to ask the panel. Be careful not to ask for information that has already been provided
or discussed during the interview.
• Study our Trust Values.
11 www.jobs.sath.nhs.ukPROUD TO CARE MAKE IT HAPPEN
We strive for the highest standards We take personal responsibility
of excellence and professionalism for making it happen
in our work
We help empower and support
We make people feel valued others to take responsibility
We care about the wellbeing of others We are positive about change
and innovation
We treat patients, their carers and
others with sensitivity and kindness We do not pass the buck
and are focused on solutions
WE VALUE RESPECT TOGETHER WE ACHIEVE
We are considerate and respect one We work together effectively, at every level,
another to deliver better care for our patients
We are prepared to challenge behaviour We support others to achieve their
that is not respectful potential
We respect different people’s needs, We are open and honest, admitting
aspirations and priorities mistakes and acting with integrity
We value and recognise the contribution
of everyone
www.sath.nhs.uk 12NEW TO SHROPSHIRE?
Shropshire is a wonderful place to live, and few people would
disagree. Shrewsbury has been named as one of the best
places to live in the country in the “Sunday Times Best Places
to Live Guide”.
The majority of our staff live within our main local catchment area of Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and
mid-Wales. Between them, these three areas offer a rich variety of places to live.
NIGHTLIFE AND CULTURE
Shrewsbury, Telford and the surrounding areas offer a You can even rent a rowing boat and sail down
whole host of activities outside of working life. Whether the river yourself, or watch the many rowers
you prefer watching a blockbuster in a building dating from the Boat House Pub overlooking the river.
back to 1596, or dancing till the early hours, there is
something for everyone. Telford is the birthplace of the Industrial
Revolution with many places of historic interest
Shrewsbury is rich in history and culture all displayed in including the Ironbridge Gorge Museum.
the town’s quaint architecture. The town boasts an Telford is also in close proximity to Weston
impressive selection of independent restaurants, bars, Park, a wide range of events are hosted at this
theatre, live music venues and nightclubs, all set among stately home and country park, including
the pretty cobbled streets. International Horse Trials, the Midland Game
Fair, and the Classic Ibiza concert (pictured
This vibrant town has seen a massive boom in nightlife below. Photo credit: Phil Drury).
recently with the addition of University Centre
Shrewsbury with regular events organised to satisfy all Just a short journey away is Ludlow. A town
tastes. However, the heart of Shrewsbury is the Quarry in renowned for high-quality music and theatre
the weave of the River Severn. The Quarry is home to the performances at the annual Ludlow
famous Shrewsbury Flower Show, the Splash Park (which Shakespeare and Arts Festival, whilst the town
opened 2016) attracts youngsters of all ages, and there also hosts an excellent annual Food Festival
are the variety of events that take place throughout the building on the town’s reputation as a great
year such as Oktoberfest or the Dragon Boat Festival. destination for restaurants and local produce.
13 www.jobs.sath.nhs.ukSHOPPING
Shrewsbury and Telford offer a diverse range of shops, they are also complemented by a wealth of nearby market towns,
and villages.
Telford Shopping Centre is located in the heart of Telford, with over 160 of your favourite high street stores and easy
parking. The shopping centre is just across from Southwater, the exciting new leisure quarter which has an array of shops,
restaurants, cafes, IMAX cinema, hotel, ice rink and modern library.
Shrewsbury has two main shopping centres; The Darwin Centre and Pride Hill Centre. These shopping malls sit among
the old streets of Shrewsbury which host a unique ray of independent shops, cafes and restaurants.
Local villages that surround Shrewsbury and Telford are not to be overlooked, for example, Bishops Castle offers an
unexpected variety of art, antiques, crafts and textile shops alongside the renowned Three Tuns local brewery.
OUTDOOR PURSUIT
One of the main attractions of this area is the fantastic outdoor life, both
within Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, mid-Wales, and in nearby Snowdonia
and the Brecon Beacons.
The area is rich with opportunities for walking, cycling, horse riding, camping,
mountaineering, canoeing and sailing, gliding and other outdoor pursuits.
Ready access to the Wrekin, the Shropshire Hills including the Long Mynd,
Upland Powys, the Severn & Wye Valleys, Shropshire Canals and Meres,
and the Welsh coast add to the wide range of activities available.
Wildlife highlights include the conservation of Red Kites and Ospreys
in western Montgomeryshire, and the county boasts one of the most
varied geologies in the British Isles from Precambrian sedimentary rocks
of Haughmond Hill, to the igneous intrusions in the South Shropshire Hills.
For the really adventurous amongst you there are few counties with access
to such a wealth of outdoor pursuits. From paragliding in Lond Mynd,
Tandem and Solo Parachuting in Whitchurch, you can learn to fly just outside
of Shrewsbury at the Shropshire Aero Club, and, with easy access to North
Wales, there is no end of outdoor activities on the land, in the water, or even
below the ground.
PEOPLE WHO VISIT COME WITH NO EXPECTATIONS BUT THEY
ALWAYS LEAVE WITH A SENSE OF WANTING TO COME BACK. PEOPLE
COME AS A DAY VISITOR AND END UP ULTIMATELY MOVING HERE.
HELEN BALL
SHREWSBURY TOWN CLERK
www.sath.nhs.uk 14HOUSING SCHOOLS
Shropshire is diverse in it’s offering as well as a safe place If you are a family living in, or moving to, Shropshire
to live. The local area offers a wide range of housing to suit you will be satisfied by the many excellent schools
every need, from town centre flats to remote farmhouses and their results in national assessments.
and converted barns. Whether you are looking to buy or
rent, Shropshire has housing to suit most needs. Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin, have a strong
commitment to providing opportunities for every child
Both main hospitals are located by large residential areas, and young person to achieve their potential.
so there is an abundance of accomodation close to work.
Or, if you are looking for something quieter, then there are In Shropshire alone, there are around 61 primary
rural towns such as Ironbridge, Newport and Much schools, 20 secondary schools and 15 independent
Wenlock, or our picturesque villages such as Pontesbury, private schools. Local schools continually rank above
Allscot, Weston Lullingfields - all within easy commutable average in the league tables with schools such as
distance of the hospitals. Newport Girls’ High School and Shrewsbury School
often achieving a 100% GCSE pass rate.
The county also has many affordable housing offers for
first-time buyers, or those with investment interests have For younger children, there are various childcare
both the available housing and buoyant rental market to options available both on-site and off-site for staff at
capitalise on. RSH and PRH. Daisy Chain day care is located at the
RSH, and gives priority to NHS staff. The nursery has
superb facilities for children including a small forest
UNIVERSITIES school and a sensory room. Apley Day Nursery is
situated on the PRH grounds and their approach is
The up and coming University Centre Shrewsbury offers friendly, fun and informal.
high-quality teaching, learning and research in the
distinctive medieval town centre. But there are also a There are also many excellent private nurseries if you
number of universities within easy commuting distance find they are more suited to your needs.
from Shropshire such as the University of Wolverhampton
(Telford’s local university), University of Chester, University
of Birmingham, Birmingham City University, University of
Liverpool, Harper Adams University, Keele University, and
Staffordshire University.
15 www.jobs.sath.nhs.ukHow to Apply
ONLINE HOSPITAL ADDRESSES
Princess Royal Hospital
All our applications are completed online at
Apley Castle
www.jobs.sath.nhs.uk or www.jobs.nhs.uk.
Telford
TF1 6TF
If you have any questions, please contact the Recruitment Team
01952 641222
on 01743 492402 .
Royal Shrewsbury Hospital
Mytton Oak Road
Shrewsbury
SY3 8XQ
01743 261000
FIND US HERE:
SaTHJobs The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust
@SaTHJobs www.jobs.sath.nhs.uk / www.sath.nhs.ukYou can also read
