JOB DESCRIPTION

POST: Community Children’s Senior Healthcare Assistant

LOCATION: Home setting and/or a variety of settings within

Belfast Trust

GRADE: Band 3

REPORTS TO: Community Children’s Nurse Band 5/6

RESPONSIBLE TO: Clinical Co-ordinator

Job Summary / Main Purpose

 To work as part of the Community Children’s Nursing Team to provide

care for children who may be technology dependent in a variety of
settings, e.g. home and school. In addition you will provide support to
nursing staff in Special school or clinic settings under the direction of a
Community Children’s Nurse.

 To be competent in providing a range of patient related activities as

considered appropriate to specific children’s needs at home and in
school.

 To be competent in providing individualised patient related activities

within the Special School or clinic setting under the supervision of the
Nurse in Charge.

 Support from a registered children’s nurse and where applicable

parents will be available.

 The post involves 24 hour cover to include day and night duty,
evenings, weekends and bank holidays in any area of the Trust to meet
the needs of the service as required.

 The post holder will adhere to the Standards for Nursing Assistants 1

Main Duties / Responsibilities

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Department of Health (2018) Standards for Nursing Assistants employed by HSC Trusts in
Northern Ireland. Belfast: DoH.

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Provision of Care

 To complete home visits/special school duty as directed by the

Community Children’s Nurse and carry out care as prescribed in care
plans.

 To listen to the requests of children and parents, and whenever

possible perform the duties consistent with their wishes.

 Maintain the confidentiality of all information, regarding patients/clients

at all times.

 To assist with all activities of daily living including dressing, personal

hygiene.

 To participate in pressure area care, observing for skin changes and

reporting any deterioration to the Community Children’s Nurse/Special
School Nurse.

 To assist with mobility and transfers, using any specialised equipment

provided appropriately.

 To deliver oral/nasopharyngeal suctioning, enteral feeding,

tracheostomy care, pressure area care and stoma care as appropriate,
following appropriate training and attaining of competencies.

 To provide play and stimulation activities appropriate to the child’s level

of development in consultation with the Community Children’s
Nurse/Special School Nurse.

 To provide emotional support to the child and family as part of a caring

team.

 To maintain a safe environment for the child.

 To work in partnership with the family and the other professionals

involved in a variety of Trust setting as required.

 To report any changes in child’s condition to the child’s parents and the
Community Children’s Nurse/Special Schools Nurse.

 To maintain good communication with the child, parents, Community

Children’s Nursing Team and other agencies/professionals as
appropriate.

• To complete accurate, timely records of care given to the child in the

home and at school. Be required to assist in the provision of safe,
effective patient centred, compassionate care.

• Assist patients/services users2 with fundamental nursing care in all

aspects of the activities of daily living, as delegated by registered

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 nursing staff, for example, washing, toileting, eating and drinking.

• Be competent in providing a range of patient related activities as

considered appropriate to specific children’s needs at home and in
school, as delegated by the Community Children’s Nurse.

• Be competent in providing individualised patient related activities within

the Special School, home or clinic setting under the supervision of the
Nurse in Charge.

• Have support from a registered children’s nurse and where applicable

parents will be available.

• To ensure the provision of supplies and ensure that home nursing

equipment is appropriately used and maintained in a safe condition in
accordance with BHSCT policies and procedures.

 To maintain a courteous manner at all times.

 To adhere to all Trust policies, procedures and guidance:

It is expected that the support worker will work in a flexible manner in order to
provide child specific care in the most appropriate family environment.

Communication

The post holder will:

 Deal courteously with patients/service users and others with
whom they come into contact in the course of their duties.
 Communicate effectively with patients/service users and others
taking into account physical and mental state.
 Report any changes in patients/ service users’ condition or
behaviour to relevant registered nursing staff.
 Ensure that all information/messages are passed onto relevant
registered nursing staff in an appropriate and timely manner.
 Where required make accurate and complete written records, for
example fluid balance charts.
 Maintain the confidentiality of all information, regarding
patients/service users and staff, at all times.

Personal & People Development

The post holder will:

 Participate fully in the HSC Trust’s KSF/PCF Personal
Performance and Development Review and comply with the Trust’s
appraisal system.

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 Attend Induction Programme and participate in training and
other learning and development activities as required.
 Keep up to date records of own development review process.
 Participate in the induction and development of others as
required.

The Community Children’s Healthcare Assistant will undertake a period of

child specific training in the patients home, schools and across the trust.
This training will be ongoing and dependent on the changing needs of the
child. Competencies will be assessed on a regular basis.

Health, Safety & Security

The post holder will:

 Undertake duties that are required to ensure adequate standards
of environmental hygiene and prevent cross infection.
 Report any accidents and incidents to relevant registered nursing
staff and assist in the investigation of same.
 Comply with health and safety policies and statutory regulations.
 Contribute to effective and economic use of resources and the
maintenance of all equipment.
 Work within own role in emergencies and summon help.
 Identify and report any health, safety and security issues to the
appropriate person.
 Comply with HSC Trust policies, procedures, guidelines and
protocols.

Service Improvement

The post holder will:

 Fully participate in all work place audits.
 Report all concerns and complaints to appropriate registered nursing staff in
a timely manner.

Quality

The post holder will:

 Work within the limits of own competence and responsibility and will refer
issues beyond these limits to registered nursing staff.
 Act responsibility as a team member and seeks help if necessary.
 Contribute to the delivery of respectful and professional care in order to
provide a quality service.

Equality & Diversity

The post holder will:

 Adhere to current legislation and HSC Trust policies on equality
and diversity.

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 Present a positive image of self and the organisation, and treat
others with dignity and respect.
 Recognise and report behaviour that undermines equality and
diversity.

General Responsibilities

Employees of the Trust are required to promote and support the mission and
vision of the service for which they are responsible and:
Maintain effective communication with clients, managers and other
professionals to ensure effective service delivery.

 At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they
come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner.
 The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering
a culture of openness and transparency. The post holder will ensure that
they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance
with Belfast Trust’s Whistleblowing Policy and their professional code of
conduct, where applicable.
 Demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance and the
efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them.
 Comply with the Trust’s Smoke Free Policy.
 Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with the Health
and Safety Policies and Statutory Regulations.
 Adhere to Equality and Good Relations duties throughout the course of
their employment.
 Ensure the on-going confidence of the public in-service provision.
 Maintain high standards of personal accountability.
 Comply with the HPSS Code of Conduct.

Records Management

All employees of Belfast Health & Social Care Trust are legally responsible for
all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Belfast
Health and Social Care Trust, including patient/client, corporate and
administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including
e-mails.  All such records are public records and are accessible to the general
public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000,
the Environment Regulations 2004, Data Protection Act 1998 and GDPR
(2018).  Employees are required to be conversant with the Belfast Health and
Social Care Trust policy and procedure on records management and to seek
advice if in doubt.

Environmental Cleaning Strategy

The Trusts Environmental Cleaning Strategy recognizes the key principle that
“Cleanliness matters is everyone’s responsibility, not just the cleaners” Whilst
there are staff employed who are responsible for cleaning services, all Trust
staff have a responsibility to ensure a clean, comfortable, safe environment
for patients, clients, residents, visitors, staff and members of the general
public.

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Infection Prevention and Control

The Belfast Trust is committed to reducing Healthcare associated infections

(HCAIs) and all staff have a part to play in making this happen. Staff must
comply with all policies in relation to Infection Prevention and Control and with
on-going reduction strategies. Standard Infection Prevention and Control
Precautions must be used at all times to ensure the safety of patients and
staff.

This includes:-
 Cleaning hands either with soap and water or a hand sanitizer at the
appropriate times (WHO ‘5 moments’);
 Using the correct ‘7 step’ hand hygiene technique;
 Being ‘bare below the elbows’ when in a clinical environment;
 Following Trust policies and the Regional Infection Control Manual
(found on intranet);
 Wearing the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE);
 Ensuring correct handling and disposal of waste (including sharps)  and
laundry;
 Ensuring all medical devices (equipment) are decontaminated
appropriately i.e. cleaned, disinfected and/or sterilised;
 Ensuring compliance with High Impact Interventions.

Personal Public Involvement

Staff members are expected to involve patients, clients, carers and the wider
community were relevant, in developing, planning and delivering our services
in a meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust’s on-going commitment
to Personal Public Involvement (PPI).

Please use the link below to access the PPI standards leaflet for further
information.

http://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/PPI_leaflet.pdf

Clause: This job description is not meant to be definitive and may

be amended to meet the changing needs of the Belfast
Health and Social Care Trust.

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 PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION
JOB TITLE / BAND: Senior Nursing Assistant Band 3

DEPT / DIRECTORATE: Community Children’s Nursing Service BHSCT

Notes to applicants:
1. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how
you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being
shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable
criteria.
2. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out below,
using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the
Trust reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined below at shortlisting.
You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable
criteria.
3. Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of
employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting
stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage.
You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet
these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the
process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.
Factor Criteria Method of
Assessment
Experience Hold NVQ/VRQ/QCF Level 3 Certificate Shortlisting by
Qualifications in Health/Health & Social Care or an Application Form
Registration equivalent qualification
Or
Hold NVQ/VRQ/QCF Level 2 Certificate
in Health/Health & Social Care or an
equivalent qualification, and **1 years’
experience of delivering direct care in a
care environment.
Or
Hold 4 GCSE’s at grade A-C including
English and Maths (or equivalent
qualifications) and **1 years’ experience
of delivering direct care in a care
environment.
Or
Have **2 years’ experience of delivering
direct care in a care environment.
Other  Must undertake the regional induction Shortlisting by

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 programme in the first two weeks Application Form
following the allocated start date &
complete within 6 months of taking up
post.

 Must undertake to complete RQF

Application Form
Level 3 Certificate (health specific)
within 18 months of taking up post
****.
 Must undertake relevant training to Application Form
meet the service needs.

 Ability to work flexibly including

evenings, nights, weekends, bank Application Form
holidays as required. Please Note
current vacancies are required to
cover night duty in patient’s homes
across Belfast Trust.

Driving  *** Current full driving licence valid

for use in the UK and access to a car
on appointment. Application Form
Interview
Knowledge  Knowledge of role and responsibilities
Skills of the post Interview
Abilities  Knowledge of patient/client needs in a
caring environment
 Knowledge of health and safety
issues
 Effective communication skills
 Ability to work as part of a team
 Effective organisational skills

**Care environment is defined as: paid work within a hospital/residential/ nursing

home or community setting. This must be evidenced on the application form and
will be tested at interview.

*** The criteria will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits
driving but who have access to a form of transport which will permit them to carry
out the duties of the post.

**** It is required that the candidate must undertake to complete RQF Level 3
Certificate (health specific) within 18 months of taking up post. It may be the case
in some exceptional circumstances that this requirement is not met. All such
cases must be signed off by the professional head of service/ senior nurse for the
division and reported and explained to the Trust Director of Nursing.

NOTE:
Where educational/professional qualifications form part of the criteria you will
be required, if shortlisted for interview, to produce original certificates, and

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one photocopy of same, issued by the appropriate authority. Only those
certificates relevant to the shortlisting criteria should be produced. If
educational certificates are not available an original letter and photocopy of
same detailing examination results from your school or college will be
accepted as an alternative.

If successful you will be required to produce documentary evidence that you

are legally entitled to live and work in the United Kingdom. This
documentation can be a P45, Payslip, National Insurance Card or a Birth
Certificate confirming birth in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland.
Failure to produce evidence will result in a non-appointment.

Where a post involves working in regulated activity with vulnerable groups,

post holders will be required to register with the Independent Safeguarding
Authority

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 HSC Values

Whilst employees will be expected to portray all the values, particular

attention is drawn to the following values for this role

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