Senior Healthcare Assistant

The Oncology and Haematology Day Unit is looking for Senior Healthcare Support Workers who are enthusiastic and motivated with a passion for caring to join our dedicated Team. You will assist patients and Other Healthcare Professionals in the delivery and care for SACT (Systemic Anti Cancer Therapy)/Chemotherapy patients in an extremely fast paced and dynamic day unit setting.

The day unit consists of 12 recliner chairs where patients receive chemotherapy and other SACT. As a Senior Healthcare Assistant you will be supporting the Doctors and Nurses in providing high standards of care to our patients, whilst consistently upholding the values of the trust. The postholder will undertake when training and competencies are completed, Venepuncture, Cannulation, Venesection and PICC (Peripherally inserted central catheter) line care.

This is an exciting opportunity for a Senior Healthcare Assistant with a positive outlook to learn new skills and take on new challenges as the service develops.

The YDH Oncology and Haematology Day Unit is currently based at St Margaret's Hospice in Yeovil. This post can be full time or part time, comprising of 9 hour shifts (08:30-18:00) the Day Unit is currently open Monday-Friday only.

Experience of working in an Outpatient or Day Unit setting or within Oncology or Haematology would be advantageous but all necessary skills training, 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 within our opening days (Monday
- Friday).Please be advised - this vacancy may close early if we reach a sufficient amount of applications.

The YDH Oncology and Haematology Day Unit is based at St Margaret's Hospice Yeovil. This is a beautiful garden setting with plenty of wildlife, and it is lovely get to utilise the outside in the summer for breaks. There is wonderful low cost catering and free parking available for staff.

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!

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.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Act at all times in a respectful manner that protects and promotes patients' dignity and modesty.
• Communicate information to patients and carers within your scope of practice.
• Communicate information to the Multi-Disciplinary Team as required within your scope of practice.
• Communicate with outside agencies (e.g GP's, Community Nurses), as required within your and their scope of practice.
• Support and comfort the patient and their carer during treatments and when bad news is being delivered in a sensitive and caring manner.
• Participate in and contribute to departmental meetings as required.
• Accurately take and promptly pass on oral and written messages as appropriate.
• Be aware of the importance of health education and be able to advise patients on relevant advice accordingly.

• Working as part of a team and on your own, you will carry out basic patient assessment and recognise when to seek support and escalte when necessary.
• Provide support to Oncologists and Haematologists during out-patient clinics, ensuring clinics run smoothly.
• Support Healthcare professionals during clinical procedures.
• Support the trained nurses in delivering SACT/Chemotherapy treatments.
• Assist in monitoring patients' progress during treatment, investigations and therapy programmes.
• Assist with mobility.
• Assist patients to achieve emotional and physical comfort.
• Contribute to the management of patient continence.
• Contribute to the management of abusive and/or aggressive behaviour.
• Provide feedback forms to patients to complete on a daily basis.