Health Care Assistant

The acute neurology and neurological and spinal Rehabilitation Healthcare Assistant will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to provide safe, effective and efficient care for patients while delivering key performance targets including assurance that the professional nursing practice and delivery of care is aligned to the Cleveland Clinic London mission and values.

The Healthcare Assistant will primarily be a valuable member of the nursing team working within the scope of their role whilst supporting the registered nursing team to ensure the best possible patient care is delivered. Health Care Assistants will deliver direct patient care involved in assisting nursing Caregivers and providing direct patient care, as well as ensuring the safety and well-being of patients and always working in a manner that promotes privacy and dignity.

This specialist rehabilitation is multidisciplinary, reflecting the needs of each patient, with involvement from Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Dietetics, mental health support and Nurses personal care. The patient’s intervention is orientated towards their achievement of individualised goals and is responsive to their changing needs.

The post holder will build and maintain excellent working relationships with other departments to ensure a seamless service of our patients. 

Key Responsibilities

• To provide a high standard of personal care to clients in a sensitive and respectful manner under the supervision of registered nursing Caregivers.
• To monitor the physical and emotional well-being of all patients in order to be aware of changes and to alert senior colleagues as necessary.
• To work with therapists/team members to ensure optimum cognitive, social, emotional, physical and functional recovery.
• Maintain high standards of care as agreed and delegated by the registered nurse.
• To ensure that rehabilitation goals, strategies and procedures are implemented and reinforced throughout the 24 hour period.
• Be competent in carrying out basic observations and recording the results whilst recognising own limitations and the need to escalate as necessary.
•  To assist in maintaining morale of clients by communication and contact - achieved by talking, and working with them
• To work as an effective member of the multi-disciplinary team.
• Maintain patient confidentiality, privacy and dignity at all times.
• To attend to and assist clients in achieving a high standard of physical care, including diet, hygiene and appearance.
• To contribute to and attend training and staff meetings as required.
• Ensure any equipment faults identified are reported immediately and appropriate actions taken.
• To be aware of Universal Precautions, basic Infection Control Procedures and Sharps Safety Procedures.
• Convey blood and specimens to the correct location as efficiently as possible, whilst giving due regard to the handling of such substances which may be of a bio-hazardous nature.
• To remove and safely dispose of used clinical sharp bins correctly according to the Health and Safety and Infection Control policy.
• Ensure the safe handling of waste products in relation to personal protection as regards to the threat of injury from sharps.
• Ensure the correct disposal of confidential waste in order that the security of material of a sensitive nature is not compromised in any way.
• To participate in an internal rotation of duty shifts, (days and nights) designed to meet the rehabilitation needs of the clients on a 24-hour basis.
• To provide first line response and 24 hour care to clients with acute medical conditions such as diabetes and epilepsy.
• The post-holder will use all equipment appropriate to the care and rehabilitation needs of the clients’ development.
• Identify any patient concerns or anxieties and report appropriately
• Answer any general enquiries from patients
• Answer telephone calls, redirect appropriately, take messages and assist where possible
• Liaise with other departments as required

Additional Responsibilities

• Act as a role model, ensuring the reputation of the nursing profession is upheld
• Behave in a way that reflects the CCL values and promote these behaviours within the team
• Take responsibility for own performance
• Where acting as ward/department Champion/Ambassador, encourage, involve and communicate effectively with Caregivers, providing feed back to the Charge Nurse or ward manager

Quality & Safety

• Support the team in delivering department KPIs as appropriate
• Ensures adherence to CCL Complaints Management Policy and communicates with patients, families, visitors and external providers in a calm, courteous, helpful manner, endeavouring to resolve difficult issues at the departmental level.
• Support Caregivers to ensure a safe environment for patients, staff and visitors following the guidelines of risk management.
• Demonstrates Infection Control principles and takes appropriate action where there is variance to the agreed KPI’s.
• Use departmental resources in a cost effective and responsible manner.
• Carry out additional roles and responsibilities needed for the role as delegated by the team.
• Communicates patient clinical information clearly and accurately, documenting pertinent information in nursing record and ensuring complete documentation of patient care.
• Identifies own training needs and maintains professional development in accordance with Revalidation requirements.

Education + Certifications:

• NVQ level 2 or higher; Care Certificate.

Languages:

• Ability to speak and write in English is required.
• Equivalent to a level of 7 of the International English Language Testing System or the Occupational English Test (OET) at level B is required

Complexities of Work (Skills):

• Requires critical thinking skills and the ability to work as part of a team.

• Working in an international, multi-cultural environment, being respectful of others cultures and beliefs.

Work Experience:

Essential:

• Demonstrable clinical experience in or similar setting
• Track record of achievement of objectives in present and past jobs in the clinical field.
• Good communication and organisational skills

Desirable:

• Experience working in a neurological or spinal rehabilitation setting.
• Experience working in the Independent Sector.
• BLS provider course completed and qualification in required upon hire, or within 3 months of hire.
• Desirable to be competent in /have had exposure to the use of electronic clinical systems (EPIC, similar modern clinical systems)

Personal Protective Equipment:

• Follows standard precautions using personal protective equipment as required.

As part of one of the world’s most respected academic medical centres, Cleveland Clinic London offers access to a global network of physicians and specialists. We provide patients with high-quality, integrated care, enabled by technology.

Cleveland Clinic London is part of a global health system that consistently ranks among the top hospitals in the world. We focus on clinical excellence, safety and patient outcomes, all supported by research, medical education, technology and teamwork.

Our mission — caring for life, researching for health, educating those who serve — has driven us to seek continual innovation and improvement over our 100-year history.

Cleveland Clinic London

Cleveland Clinic is an integrated healthcare system with hospitals and outpatient centres in the U.S. (Ohio, Florida and Nevada), Canada (Toronto), the U.A.E. (Abu Dhabi) and now London. Cleveland Clinic’s first healthcare facility in London, Cleveland Clinic Portland Place Outpatient Centre, opened in September 2021. Cleveland Clinic London’s 184-bed hospital followed and opened in Spring 2022.

Cleveland Clinic employs more than 70,000 people globally with patients coming to us from more than 185 countries every year. Cleveland Clinic London offers:

1,250 caregivers, including 270 medical doctors and 450 nurses.

184 inpatient beds.

29 ICU beds.

8 operating theatres.

21 day case rooms for surgery.

42-bed neurological suite for rehabilitation.