HEALTHCARE ASSISTANT BAND 2

Transcription

1 HEALTHCARE ASSISTANT BAND 2 INTRODUCTION Thank you for your interest in applying for the waiting list for Temporary Band 2 Healthcare Assistants within the Western Trust. This short information sheet is designed to give you some background information to how the selection process will proceed. Please take the time to read the information carefully as it will help you to complete your application form and ultimately assist you as you progress through the selection process. THE SELECTION PROCESS WHAT TO EXPECT The Assessment Process for this recruitment exercise will take the form of a written test. If you are require any reasonable adjustments to allow you to participate you should ensure this is clearly detailed in your application form. The Assessment Test will be held 30 July The test will form the complete assessment for inclusion on the waiting list. There will be no other form of assessment i.e. there will be no interview. Following the closing date all applicants will be issued with a written invitation to attend the assessment test. Outcomes the assessment test will be marked and all those scoring above the set pass mark will be placed on the waiting list for temporary, full-time and part-time posts. The scores from the assessment test will be used to place candidates onto the waiting list with the person scoring the highest in the test placed 1 st and so on. WHAT THE TEST WILL CONSIST OF? There will be five sections within the test and it will take approximately 45 minutes to complete. Each section will be timed and they will range between 4 and 10 minutes per section. In Section 1 you will be given a list of tasks and asked to prioritise them as if you were in a work situation. Section 2 will involve you calculating a fluid balance sheet for patients and you will be required to do this without the use of a calculator.

2 Section 3 consists of situational type questions and there are multiple choice answers for you to choose from. The questions will be based on the typical situations that arise daily on our wards and that our currently Healthcare Assistants have to deal with. In Section 4 you will listen to a number of telephone messages and be asked to take massages to pass onto your nursing colleagues. Finally, in Section 5 you will be required to demonstrate that you can complete a simple form using basic calculations. HOW WILL THE WAITING LIST OPERATE? Along with your invite to test letter you will receive a Preference Sheet. You must read this carefully and bring a completed copy with you on the day of assessment test (see next section for details). The importance of you carefully and accurately completing this form cannot be over stated. If you are successful in being placed onto the waiting list, it is this information that will inform us as to where you are willing to accept a post, and what hours you are willing to work. You will only be offered jobs matching your stated preferences so this information is particularly important in the overall process. Once on the waiting list, you will be ranked in order of merit and taking account of the preferences you have stated, jobs will then be offered in that order. Once you have accepted a post from this waiting list your name will be suspended from the list for the duration of the contract. The full set of rules for the waiting list management will be issued to those who are placed on the waiting list. All posts will be offered conditionally and subject to number of pre-employment checks which typically include; Verification of ID, required Qualifications, eligibility to work in the UK and information stated in the application form. Satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI. Satisfactory Occupational Health check. Satisfactory References. DURATION OF TEMPORARY WAITING LIST It is currently anticipated that this waiting list will last until 21 March However you should be aware that due to on-going organisational change within the HSC it is possible that the list could be brought to an end at an earlier date. Should this occasion arise all remaining persons on the waiting list will be given due notice. 2

3 WHAT TO BRING TO THE ASSESSMENT / TEST CENTRE IDENTIFICATION: You are required to bring photographic identification with you to the test centre. Any of the following are acceptable forms of identification: Driving Licence Passport Electoral Identity Card Citizens Card YOU WILL NOT BE PERMITTED INTO THE TEST CENTRE WITHOUT PHOTOGRAPHIC ID PREFERENCE SHEET: You are required to complete and bring with you to test centre the preference sheet issued with your invite to test letter. PLEASE NOTE: Once you have been checked in to the test centre you will not be permitted to leave for any reason. You should therefore ensure that you have equipment such as spectacles etc. with you on your arrival. You do not require any other additional equipment as all pens, paper, pencils etc. will be provided. Other than immediate personal belongings such as car keys, purse / wallet / handbag you will not be permitted to bring any items into the test centre. 3

4 THE BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR THE HSC There are many key benefits of working for the HSC. It offers a competitive remuneration package and terms and conditions of employment - full details of these are available on Annual Leave and General Public holidays The Trust offers excellent provision for annual leave and General Public Holidays as follows: On appointment After 5 years service After 10 years service 27 days plus 10 public holidays 29 days plus 10 public holidays 33 days plus 10 public holidays HSC Pension Scheme / HPSS Superannuation Scheme Trust staff may choose to join the Health & Social Care Superannuation Scheme. Further information may be obtained from the HSC Pension Service Website at Applicants who are already members of the HPSS Superannuation Scheme may continue with their current arrangements. Human Resources Policies Each Trust offers a wide range of Human Resource Policies to underpin the value that is placed on our staff such as a range of Work Life Balance/Flexible Working Policies; Child Care Voucher Scheme etc. Further information is available on Trust websites. Committed to Equality of Opportunity Each Trust recognises and values the diversity of its workforce and the population it serves. Each Trust is committed to a working environment which is free from intimidation of any kind. Through a systematic and objective recruitment & selection process the Trust is committed to ensuring that appointment decisions are taken solely on the basis of merit. 4

5 TIPS ON COMPLETING & SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION FORM The application form is designed to ensure that applicants provide the necessary information to determine how they meet the essential criteria, as well as providing additional information required at the various stages of the recruitment process. Please see below for some useful tips on completing your application form. Remember it is important that you allow sufficient time to submit your application form, ensuring that it is accurate and complete. Meeting the Criteria set out in the Personnel Specification Always refer to the Job Summary and Personnel Specification when completing your form. Clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the essential criteria as detailed in the Personnel Specification. Failure to do so will result in the rejection of your application form at a later stage in the process. Completing the Reference Section Your references should normally cover at least 3 years of previous employment / training / education. Ensure that you have provided the names of two referees (who must not be relatives). One of your referees should have knowledge of your present work / or most recent employment and be in a supervisory / managerial capacity. If you are a student you should provide the name of your college tutor/lecturer or teacher / principal. Please note that we will always seek a reference from your last HSC / NHS employer, where applicable. Please see below for guidance: Candidate Employment Reference 1 Reference 2 Position Currently employed From current employer From employer prior to current Not currently employed From most recent From previous employer employer Never been employed Character* reference / relevant Academic** reference / Other Previously employed in the HSC/NHS From current employer From previous HSC/ NHS employer Self Employed Character reference* From previous employer / relevant Academic** reference / Other *Character Reference e.g. Accountant, Banker, HM Revenue & Customs, Solicitor, Client references or voluntary organisation **Academic Reference e.g. school, college, university This section must be completed in full, therefore be sure to include complete names, job titles, and addresses, including addresses for both of your referees. 5

6 TIPS ON COMPLETING & SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION FORM CONTINUED Completing Your Current / Previous Employment Details Ensure that full details are provided. Be specific about all the dates that you provide, these should be stated in the following format DD/MM/YYYY. Explain any gaps between periods of employment and include reasons for leaving each post. Provide a list of key duties that you have been responsible for in current post / previous posts. Completing the Criminal Convictions / Offences Section Legislation requires you to tell us about any criminal convictions or offences that you may have. Within the HSC, criminal convictions are never regarded as spent and therefore you must tell us about all previous or pending convictions or offences, even if they happened a long time ago. This also includes motoring offences. Each Trust is committed to the equality of opportunity for all applicants, including those with criminal convictions. Whilst the disclosure of information does not automatically prevent an individual from obtaining employment, it is essential that all convictions are disclosed to allow us to adequately consider their relevance to the post in question. We consider failure by an applicant to declare complete and accurate information about convictions to be a serious breach of trust which will normally result in any withdrawal of offer. Access NI Disclosure Each Trust operates in line with the Access NI Code of Practice. Further details can be obtained from Completing the Medical History Section This section requires you to tell us about any periods of sickness you have had in the last 3 years, whether you have been in employment or not. Please ensure that you include all dates that fall within this time period giving relevant details on the nature of the illness / absence. Failure to disclose all periods of sickness may affect your application. Your sickness absence record will be verified through the reference checking process therefore it is important that you give full and accurate information. Disability requirements We ask on the application form if you require any reasonable adjustments, due to disability, to enable you to attend the interview or undertake the duties of the post. Details of any disability are only used for this purpose and do not form any part of the selection process. If you require any reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process please contact Rachael Colhoun on extension to discuss. 6

7 TIPS ON COMPLETING & SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION FORM CONTINUED Completing the Personal Declaration It is important to remember that when signing the personal declaration section or submitting your form via you are stating that the information is true, complete and accurate, and that giving wrong information or leaving information out could lead to the withdrawal of an offer of employment, or dismissal if you take up a post. Data Protection The information you provide will be processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act Completing the Equal Opportunity Monitoring Form Please note that this information is regarded as part of your application and you are strongly encouraged to complete this section. This information is treated in the strictest confidence and is for monitoring /statistical purposes only. Selection panels do not have any access to this information at any stage of the recruitment process. Submitting your completed form to the Recruitment & Selection Team Your application must be received by the Recruitment & Selection Team by the stated closing date and time. Late applications will not be accepted. Forms will also not be accepted if they are incomplete or have been reformatted. Please remember that the standard Application Form is the only acceptable method of application. Application forms can be submitted through one of the following channels: full details on completing an on line application form are provided at this web address. REMEMBER to not leave it until the last minute as something could happen to the internet at either end. Posted to the Recruitment & Selection Team, Human Resources Department, Lime Villa, 12c Gransha Park, Londonderry, BT47 6SB. *Applicants using Royal Mail should note that 1 st class mail does not guarantee next day delivery. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that sufficient postage has been paid to return the form to the address above by the stated closing date and time. 7

8 Application Form Checklist Please use the checklist below to help ensure that you have completed your form in full and are now ready to submit your application. HAVE YOU. Read the Tips on completing / submitting your application form section of this information pack? Clearly demonstrated how you meet all criteria requirements? Provided full details of 2 relevant referees? Provided full details on relevant Qualifications, Registration i.e. subjects, grades, dates, registration number, as well as Driving Licence and access to a car details (as applicable)? Listed current / previous employment details since leaving education, including details of posts held, exact dates (DD/MM/YYYY), and a brief summary of main duties undertaken? Explained any gaps in employment and listed reasons for leaving previous employment? Told us about any previous / pending convictions or offences including any that happened a long time ago? Detailed on your form any periods of sickness in the last 3 years? Completed the disability related questions if you require reasonable adjustments? Read and signed / agreed to the personal declaration. REMEMBER: Failure to provide complete and accurate information may lead to a withdrawal of employment / offer of employment if this is subsequently discovered? Completed your equal opportunity monitoring form in full? If you have ticked all of the above you are now ready to submit your application form. Please remember to take a note of the closing date and time, as well as the reference number of the post you are applying for. 8

9 PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION POST: Health Care Assistant Band 2 DEPARTMENT: All Directorates LOCATION: Northern & Southern Sectors of Western Trust DATE: June 2013 FACTORS ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND/OR EXPERIENCE A minimum of 3 months caring experience in a Hospital, Private Nursing Home or Community setting. NVQ Level III Health related NVQ Level II Health related KNOWLEDGE Communication Health & Safety Infection Control Team Working

10 FACTORS ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE PROFESSIONAL OR CLINICAL / DEPARTMENT KNOWLEDGE Confidentiality COMPETENCES Understanding professional roles SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES Flexibility

11 JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Health Care Assistant Band: 2 Reports To: Responsible To: Department Manager Clinical Services Manager / Directorate Manager Role: To carry out general duties within the Directorate and to provide assistance and support within the ward / department. Participate in the NHS knowledge and skills framework as appropriate. Patient Care 1.1 Provide effective nursing care for patients on the ward / department ensuring patient supervision and safety at all times. 1.2 Assist in the safe transfer of patients from bed to chair, other ward, unit or department and return. 1.3 Assist in patient positioning with regard to: - procedure to be performed - patient comfort / dignity - pressure area care - moving and handling 1.4 Provide support and reassurance to patients undergoing procedures. 1.5 Ensure that patients are comfortable and that body temperature is maintained. 1.6 Participates in meal service, assists with feeding and orders patients meals/special diets when required. 1.7 Attend to patient s elimination needs as required. 1.8 Observe and report upon patient s condition whilst in the ward / department.

12 1.9 Ensure confidentiality is maintained at all times. 2.0 Ensure the safe keeping of patient s belongings and valuables in accordance with hospital policy. General Duties 2.1 Act as a member of the nursing team. 2.2 Be familiar with specific ward / department policies and all hospital policies. 2.3 Adhere to policies in relation to: - Fire Safety - Infection Control - Health and Safety 2.4 Develop good interpersonal relationships with patients and other members of the multi-disciplinary team. 2.5 Participates in the ordering and the maintenance of stock items. 2.6 Assist in the setting up and dismantling of trolleys/equipment. 2.7 Assist with other members of the team in the preparation and clearing of the ward / department area. 2.8 Provide assistance to nursing staff as required. 2.9 Participate in trials of new equipment. 3.0 Receive and deliver messages as required. 3.1 Report any defects in department or faulty equipment, remove from use, label and decontaminate. 3.2 Report incidents/accidents to nurse in charge. GENERAL DUTIES 1. Employees of the Trust will be required to promote and support the mission and vision of the service for which they are responsible. 2. Develop and maintain good communication with all levels of management and build partnerships with the wider HPSS, NHS and external organizations in the promotion of the Trust.

13 3. Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with health and safety policy and statutory regulations. 4. Participate in the grievance and disciplinary processes as required. 5. Promote equality of opportunity through his/her own actions and ensure this policy is adhered to by staff for whom he/she has responsibility. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Service Quality Western Health and Social Care Trust is committed to providing the highest possible quality of service to all patients, clients and community through supporting and contributing to Trust quality initiatives. Employees are expected at all times to provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner. Conduct Employees must at all times abide by Trust policies and procedures and the terms of their contract of employment. They must conduct themselves with impartiality, integrity, objectivity and honesty and maintain high standards of personal and professional accountability. Performance Employees are expected to demonstrate commitment to the Trust by ensuring regular attendance at work and efficient completion of duties. Risk Management Employee must ensure that they comply with any risk management responsibilities specific to their post, and as set out in the Trust s Risk Management Strategy. Governance The Trust is committed to the development and implementation of systems under Integrated Governance to ensure continuous improvement in the quality of services provided. Employees will be expected to co-operate and work with such systems. Records Management All employees of the Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Trust including patient/client, corporate and administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including s. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with

14 limited exceptions, under Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and the Data Protection Act Employees are required to be conversant with the Trust s policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt. Confidentiality All information concerning patients and staff must be held in the strictest confidence and may not be divulged to any unauthorized person. Equality & Human Rights Employees must ensure that equality and human rights issues are addressed within the post holder s area of responsibility in accordance with the Trust s Equality Scheme. Health and Safety Employees should note that under Health & Safety at Work Legislation they are required to take all reasonable steps while at work to ensure their own health and safety and the health and safety of those who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work. Smoking, Alcohol & Health The Trust operates policies on smoking, alcohol and health. Environmental Cleanliness The Trust promotes a culture of cleanliness and has adopted a partnership and collaborative approach that recognises cleanliness as the responsibility of everyone, cascading throughout every level of the organisation. The Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer. The duties and responsibilities outlined in the above job description are not intended to be definitive nor restrictive, and may be amended to meet the changing needs of the Trust. June 2013