An exciting opportunity has arisen to work with the Community Nursing Teams in Reading based at 7-9 Cremyll Road, Reading, RG1 8NQ. You will be working in the role of Community Health Care Assistant an important part of the ever-evolving Community Nursing service. The core hours of the service are Monday- Friday however the hours are negotiable. You will be responsible for providing care to housebound patients. The role of the Health care assistant is a vital role to support the ongoing work of the Community Nurses and Community Nursing Sister/District Nurse. The staff work closely with members of wider multi-disciplinary teams including the local Palliative Care team, Community Matrons, Social Care Coordinators and Specialist Nurses. Clinical skills required for this post would include venepuncture, basic wound management, and continence assessment skills. Full training is available within the Trust for the successful applicant and there is the opportunity to attend training to extend the role to the administration of certain injectable medication.
Working closely with the nursing staff to provide a high standard in individual patient care.
Responsible for maintaining detailed, accurate and confidential patient records, adhering to Trust policies.
Able to prioritise work using time appropriately, referring patients to other agencies as necessary.
Part of an effective supportive team, working together to provide clinical advice and support to other staff and patients.
As a community healthcare assistant, you'll work one-to-one with adult patients in their own homes and in local neighbourhoods – where people prefer to be treated for many conditions and diseases.
You will have the opportunity to build ongoing relationships that benefit patients, families and the different professionals involved in cases.
You may be the kind of person who enjoys the independence of travelling around the community outside of a clinical setting. The working hours suit many people too. You will occasionally work bank holidays and weekends. All rosters are published at least 8 weeks in advance.
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.
Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:
Caring for and about you is our top priority
Committed to providing good quality, safe services
Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions
Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:
Flexible working options to support work-life balance
27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
Generous NHS pension scheme
Excellent learning and career development opportunities
'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
Free parking across Trust sites
The "must haves" for this role:
People skills to work effectively with colleagues and patients – with excellent listening and communication skills.
A driving license and access to a car
Calm approach and ability to prioritise and work within a busy team
For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.
We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point - by - point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted .
We're c ommitted to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditation s: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed .
We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don't hesitate to call: Laura Rayfield at or email: who'll be delighted to help.
Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.