Health Care Assistant - Treatment Centre
The closing date is 28 April 2026
We are looking for an experienced Endoscopy Health Care Assistant or an existing Health Care Assistant who wants to transition to a more specialist area and want further career development, with a passion for learning Endoscopy.
If you are looking to join an energetic and vibrant department that truly makes a difference to people's lives on a daily basis, we would like to hear from you.
Join us on our exciting journey of expansion here at Southport and Ormskirk Hospital. Here at Southport and Ormskirk we actively work towards securing accreditation through the Joint Advisory Group (JAG) on Gastrointestinal Endoscopy as a high‑quality gastrointestinal endoscopy service.
Our focus at all times is on ensuring that our patients receive high quality treatment quickly, in clean and comfortable surroundings.
You will be working as part of a friendly, welcoming and expert Multidisciplinary Endoscopy Team that is enthusiastic and encouraging in a happy working environment. Mentoring, training and guidance will be provided to the successful candidate.
Due to current service demands, we are only able to consider applicants who have relevant UK experience. Candidates must also be available to commence employment immediately or within a very short timeframe.
Main duties of the job
An HCA role with the team will vary from day to day, including admission and recovery of patients, to assisting with patient care in the procedure rooms after completion of training. It is a busy, active role. As part of the team, you will rotate throughout the different roles across both sites.
We work with many specialties including gastroenterology, urology, colorectal, respiratory, and vascular. Training is provided in house, with support from external sources.
Previous experience in endoscopy would be a strong advantage but relevant healthcare experience will be considered.
The successful candidate will work closely with both medical and nursing staff within the department, who think of the patient first and always uphold the Trust's values.
Our endoscopy service is based across two sites, with the Ormskirk site being the centre of our high‑volume activity. We work collaboratively with the medical and surgical teams ensuring a seamless journey for our patients.
We are looking for a motivated individual to join our team of nurses working within our busy endoscopy departments which are currently working towards achieving JAG accreditation. If you are eager to learn, have a flexible approach to work and are reliable and enthusiastic, we would like to hear from you. You should have excellent skills and commitment to continuing professional development.
Job responsibilities
* Work as part of a team and duties will be delegated by the registered healthcare professional.
* Act within the scope of your training and competence, knowing who to ask for help and support if you are not sure.
* Work within agreed ways of working, following relevant Trust standards, policies and protocols.
* Communicate compassionately and effectively with individuals and their families, carers and healthcare practitioners using a range of techniques, maintaining confidentiality and using tact, empathy, persuasion and reassurance.
* Observe, assess and respond to patients' needs appropriately, escalating concerns to nursing staff as required including instigating emergency procedures as per policy.
* Organise self and supervise other junior staff or learners in general work tasks or when delivering patient care with supervision from nursing staff.
* Prioritise a range of delegated clinical care duties.
* Acting on own initiative, undertake personal care duties and support activities of daily living, e.g. mouth care, personal hygiene and toileting needs, demonstrating person‑centred care.
* Assist the registered healthcare practitioners with clinical tasks, follow care plans, notice and report changes, assist with risk assessments, obtain samples and some specimens.
* Safely deliver care duties including manoeuvring of patient equipment such as hoists and wheelchairs.
* Gather evidence to assist the registered healthcare practitioner in obtaining a patient/client history.
* Undertake delegated procedures as required within the limits of required training and measured competence e.g. venepuncture / ECG recording / blood glucose monitoring, clinical observations, taking specimens, escalating any abnormalities to the registered nurse.
* Support patients' feeding, diet and nutritional needs and accurately record patients' nutritional intake and fluid intake and output, noticing and reporting changes to the nursing staff.
* Ensure patient property is managed as per Trust policy.
* Monitor levels of supplies and order supplies for the department as appropriate.
* Demonstrate own duties to new starters, contributing to the learning environment. Where requested, supports/supervises work of students and other junior staff.
* Occasionally participate in audits, surveys, development activities.
* To work in line with Trust policies and procedures.
* Contribute to maintaining a safe, healthy working environment.
* Follow the principles for implementing a duty of care, always acting in the best interest of individuals to ensure they do not come to harm.
* Work in partnership with the individual, their carers/families and the wider healthcare team.
* Maintain and further develop your own skills and knowledge through development and learning activities; maintain evidence of your personal development and actively prepare for and participate in appraisal.
* Participate in team handovers.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* NVQ level 3 Health and Social Care or equivalent
* Care Certificate (equivalent to level 1)
* Literacy and numeracy functional skills level 2 or equivalent
Knowledge & Experience
* Knowledge of personal care and related procedures
* Demonstrable experience of working in a patient care/health related role
* Knowledge of relevant legislation related to healthcare
* Experience of working in a team
Skills
* Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written formats
* Good interpersonal skills
* Able to work within a team
* Experience of supporting junior staff and learners
* Able to accept direction and guidance
* Aware of own limitations
* Able to prioritise own workload and manage time effectively
* Flexible, adaptable and responsive to change
* Reliable and professional
* Ability to cope in stressful and challenging situations
* Inclusive and non‑judgmental
* Punctual, motivated and committed
* Effective role model demonstrating Trust values
* Basic IT skills
Other
* Frequent moderate effort for several long periods during the shift such as manual handling patients to supporting patient's personal care.
* Concentration, focus and frequent record keeping requirements. Carrying out time critical tasks.
* Aware that developing resilience to distressing situations is necessary without losing the ability to care compassionately
* Aware of the process for accessing staff health and wellbeing support
* Daily exposure to distressing situations which may include challenging behaviour, care of chronic health conditions, patient end of life care / care after death
* Able to carry out direct clinical care as required on ward or department.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.
Employer name
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
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