Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic professional who can help the Community Independence Service (CIS) make Hammersmith & Fulham (H&F) a great place to grow old. Join us and be part of a committed and caring team as we deliver high quality patient care.

Your role as a Health Care Assistant (HCA) within the CIS Home First Team will involve providing a rapid response care service for people who need urgent help with primary acute physical health illness in their own homes, often immediately after a hospital admission. Please note that this role is not an inpatient ward based or mental health service, and the vast majority of our patients need support with functional activities.

As a HCA you will be expected to provide support to our patients in a wide range of community and patient home environments, working autonomously and collaboratively in supporting the integrated multidisciplinary team in the delivery of excellent patient care. You will be responsible for the holistic, comprehensive care of complex community patients, delivering clinical care delegated by a registered professional and contributing to the evaluation of person centred care plans.

You will have excellent communication skills, IT skills, and the ability to be adaptable, flexible and reliable as changes to your caseload and patient visits may happen on a daily basis.

The service is operational 7 days a week 8am to 8pm. Hours of work for HCA may vary between these hours.

Main duties of the job
Key Responsibilities:

• Carry out day to day care of patients within their own home environment, such as personal care, medication prompting, toileting and meal preparation.
• Carry out safe moving and handling of patients with the use of equipment prescribed by Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists, for example rollator frame, sara steady, re-turn and hoist.
• Review and adjust basic equipment that has been prescribed and installed by Occupational Therapists or Physiotherapists, for example mobility aids or toilet frames.
• To be able to take observations (for example blood pressure and temperature) after completing the appropriate competency, NEWS2 scoring and early identification and escalation of the deteriorating patient.
• Participate and contribute to audits, service development and projects associated with improving the quality of service of CIS.

About us
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.

Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.

The Trust is rated as 'Good' overallby the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as 'Outstanding'.

The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.

Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached

The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.

Qualifications and Training
Essential

• Level of general education (GCSE or equivalent)

Desirable

• Care certificate
• Foundation Degree in Health & Social Care/NVQ Level 3 or above or equivalent
• Evidence of continuous development

Experience
Essential

• Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience using common IT programs, including word, outlook and excel.

Desirable

• Experience of working as a health care assistant within a health or social care setting.
• Experience of working with frail and elderly people.
• Experience with use of moving and handling equipment.
• Experience of lone working within a working within a community setting
• Experience of using ICT systems within a health care service
• Experience of undertaking observations such as blood pressure, temperature and heart rate.

Knowledge & Skills
Essential

• Understanding of the care industry and organisation.
• Ability to question and clarify knowledge of own limitations and importance of risk assessments.
• Awareness and understanding of confidentiality
• Highly competent IT skills

Desirable

• Knowledge of NHS PDR and supervision systems
• Knowledge of conditions relevant to older adults which may impact on individual capabilities and health
• Knowledge of CIS service provision
• Ability to use SystmOne
• Basic competency in mobility assessment and low level equipment provision
• Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and appropriate escalation
• Maintaining accurate, concise and legible clinical records

Personal Qualities
Essential

• Friendly, approachable and able to demonstrate empathy
• Able to communicate clearly and accurately, verbally and in writing to a wide range of people including users, colleagues, carers and managers.
• Exceptional ability to prioritise tasks and organise time effectively
• Professional and proactive attitude
• Flexible approach to work
• Positive approach to problem solve and ability to motivate others.
• Willingness to learn and develop personal competencies

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.

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 (Opens in a new tab).

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 (Opens in a new tab).