Children Healthcare Assistant - Band 4

Job responsibilities

Designed by families, for families, The Ark was opened in September 2019 by the Mayor of London. The grounds offer wheelchair accessible outdoor experiences, including a Woodland Walk through a 7-acre nature reserve, a hydrotherapy pool and overnight suites for families to be close to their loved ones. At The Ark we are able to provide Specialist Care and Nursing for babies, children and young people, supporting their full clinical, emotional, social and practical needs. We have created a space where children who are seriously unwell are accepted as they are, safe to play, explore, express themselves and build confidence.

Rated as 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission, the charity has had a sustained period of growth over the last two years and we are looking for high quality employees to come and be a part of that success.

Our expert staff and trained volunteers provide clinical, emotional and practical support for families across North and Central London and Herts Valley. We carefully adapt our support for every child and offer it wherever it is required - whether in their home, their community or at our state-of-the-art children's hospice building, The Ark, in Barnet.

As part of the Specialist Care Team you will be required to facilitate clinical and holistic care to babies, children and young people in our care. You will be required to work in our Woodlands inpatient unit, our families' homes and in the community, delivering the highest quality family centred palliative care. You will need to be available to work a variety of shifts across a rota including days, evenings and weekends. There will also be regular travel across our operating region. Specialist Carers provide care for children and young people with life threatening and/or life limiting conditions and support for their families and carers. This will involve working collaboratively with the family, and internal and external multidisciplinary teams and colleagues. You will use your skills, knowledge and expertise in a variety of situations within the hospice as well as out in the community and in family homes. You will be trained and competent to work as a lone worker in the community. Shift patterns will include a rotation of weekend, bank holidays, early morning/evening and night shifts, which are an integral part of the service delivery. You will safeguard all children and young people accessing our services, by responding to concerns raised in a timely and appropriate manner and effectively escalating these in accordance with policies and procedures.

You will enjoy creating experiences, activities and play for those in your care, as well as working with your team to ensure their clinical needs are met. You will understand and adhere to policies and procedures at all times, underpinned by competency in clinical skills, and will be supervised by a Senior Specialist Carer and/or Registered Nurse. A full driving licence and access to your own vehicle for business use is essential to cover our wide geographical operating region

Noah's Ark Children's Hospice is an equal opportunity employer and particularly welcomes applications from groups who are currently under-represented in our staff.

Our diversity council is working hard to construct positive changes within our organisatio n.

Please refer to the Job Description for further details about the role.

Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

• 1. Minimum of GCSE grade C in English and Maths (or equivalent).
• 2. Evidence of a formal qualification (NVQ or Care Certificate) or willingness to complete.
• 3. Competent I.T. skills

Desirable

• 1. Willingness to undertake specialist training in complex health needs including tracheostomy care, enteral feeding etc. with support.
• 2. NVQ level 2/3 (health and social care) qualification or equivalent

SKILLS / KNOWLEDGE / EXPERIENCE

Essential

• 1.Experience of caring for babies, children and young people in a professional setting such as early years, school or health care.
• 2. Understand the importance of play and fun when caring for children/young people.
• 3. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Desirable

• 1. Experience working with babies, children and young people with life threatening and life limiting conditions, including children with special needs.
• 2. Experience of providing total care for babies, children and young people with complex needs or disability for sustained periods e.g. 4 hours.
• 3. Experience of using equipment such as hoists and suction machines
• 4. Awareness of legal and ethical issues affecting children, young people and their families.
• 5. Understanding of current issues and best practice in childrens palliative care

BEHAVIOURAL / PERSONAL

Essential

• 1. Ability to work alone and to use initiative to respond assertively.
• 2. Enthusiastic and confident approach to work.
• 3. Flexible attitude and approach to the changing work environment.
• 4. Adopt a mature approach to personal and professional boundary setting with children, young people and their families.
• 5. Demonstrate honesty, integrity, care and compassion at all times.
• 6. Proven track record of reliability.
• 7. Maintain confidentiality of the children, young people and families.
• 8. Live Noahs Arks values - kindness, courage and excellence

Desirable

• Please refer to the attached Job Description for further details

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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