HEALTHCARE ASSISTANT -
GYNAECOLOGY OUTPATIENTS
INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES
1
ABOUT THE TRUST
The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) is the main provider of acute
hospital services for around half a million people in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin
and mid Wales.
Encompassing some of the most picturesque parts of England and Wales, the Trust’s catchment stretches
from the Cambrian Mountains in the west, to Newport and the fringes of the Black Country in the east.
The main towns include: Bridgnorth, Ludlow, Market Drayton, Oswestry, Shrewsbury and Whitchurch (in
Shropshire); Newport, Telford and Wellington (in Telford & Wrekin); and Newtown and Welshpool (in
Powys) – all beautiful and unique.
Our main service locations are The Princess Royal Hospital (PRH) in Telford and The Royal Shrewsbury
Hospital (RSH) in Shrewsbury which are located 20 minutes drive apart. Together they provide 99% of our
activity. Both hospitals provide a wide range of acute hospital services including accident & emergency,
outpatients, diagnostics, inpatient medical care and critical care.
We also provide services such as consultant-led outreach clinics at Telford, the Robert Jones and Agnes
Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, Gobowen and the Bridgnorth, Ludlow and Whitchurch Community Hospitals.
We employ more than 6,000 people, and hundreds of colleagues and students from other organisations
also work in our hospitals. We benefit from around 1,000 wonderful volunteers, and our main charitable
partners are the League of Friends at The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, Friends of The Princess Royal
Hospital, and the Lingen Davies Cancer Appeal which is based at The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.
2
OUR VISION AND VALUES
The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust is an organisation that strives
to provide high quality, safe care for our patients in an environment which
our staff are proud to work in
Our Vision:
“To provide excellent care for the communities
we serve”
Our Values:
OUR VISION
We believe that by adhering to our Vision and working with our Values in mind we can behave in a way
which will ensure the right results for the people that matter most – our patients and their families.
OUR VALUES
Our Trust Values provide a guide for our daily lives which we are all expected to uphold, both at work and when we
are representing the Trust.
Our Values were developed by staff and our patients, so they represent what is important to us within the
organisation and the way we should all behave towards patients, carers, visitors, partners and each other.
You will see our Values throughout the Trust; they are not just words on a page, they represent what we
are about here at SaTH. We want patients and their families to say that the care and service they receive
from all of us is consistently high-quality, safe, effective, and personalised, so the feelings behind the
Values shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone working in the NHS.
The reason why it is important that they are clearly written down is, so we all know what’s expected, and none of us
are surprised if we are asked to explain any unacceptable behaviour. Ultimately, if we follow our Values, we will
provide services that are better for our patients and better for each other.
3
A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO
Thank you for your interest in this role.
Our Trust’s Vision is to provide excellent care for the communities we serve. We are striving
to provide high quality, safe care for our patients in an environment which our colleagues are
proud to work in.
We are looking for an inspiring, motivated individual who demonstrates our values, and who
can provide clear vision and direction as we continue to move forward.
You will know that our Trust is on an improvement journey. Our recent Care Quality
Commission inspection demonstrates that we are making progress towards our aim of
Getting to Good, despite the challenges of a pandemic. We also know that we have more to
do and that we must sustain the changes if we are to keep on improving. We are
wholeheartedly committed to this and have plans in place to support this including our
exciting Hospitals Transformation Programme. This will support the reconfiguration of where
and how we deliver our services and the modernisation of our facilities and infrastructure, so
that we can deliver better quality care for all of our communities.
It is a really exciting time to be a part of our Trust. I hope that you will join us to help steer
and support us on our journey.
Louise Barnett
Louise Barnett
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
4
COLLEAGUE BENEFITS
27 days annual leave entitlement at Access to various local and national
joining, increasing with length of discounts via various external websites
service, plus 8 bank holidays
• Blue Light Card
Flexible working policies Health Service
•
• Discounts NHS
Generous maternity pay and 2 weeks full Staff Benefits
pay paternity leave Salary sacrifice schemes for home
FINANCIAL
electronics and bikes
GENERAL
Colleague recognition scheme and long
service awards Generous Pension scheme
Option to buy and sell additional Access to a financial support booklet
annual leave
Pre-retirement courses
Greener travel initiative, including
cycle to work scheme and lift share Free Will writing service
Childcare information and support Savings and Loan schemes
available, including onsite nurseries
Discounted bus passes with Arriva
PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT COACHING AND MENTORING
• Coaching Opportunities to grow, develop and
• Mental Health First perform at your best
• Aiders Chaplaincy
LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Team LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
PHYSICAL SUPPORT
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Leadership and management training for
• Fast track physiotherapy service Free all levels of staff
• eye test vouchers
ACCESS TO ELEARNING COURSES
HEALTHY LIFESTYLES AND
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT Many eLearning modules to learn from
with access available at home
• Slimming World referral scheme Staff
• cervical screening service Long Covid APPRENTICESHIPS
• support
• Access to wellbeing/rest rooms There are a growing number of
• Menopause support including apprenticeship opportunities at SaTH
advocates, webinars, toolkits, clinics, across all disciplines
and bi-monthly meet ups Men's
• Secondment and acting-up
Health - Bi-monthly forums and men's
opportunities
MOT
• Sleep School Wellbeing Support
Support to complete qualifications such
as NVQ, Masters etc. whilst on the job
Discounts with local gyms
5
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title Healthcare Assistant - Gynaecology Outpatients
Band 2
Directorate Womens & Childrens
Accountable to Ward Manager
DBS Required? Yes
JOB OVERVIEW
The post holder will provide support and assist Registered Nurses delivering all aspects of health care
directly to patients, within defined levels of competence and practice. This will include assisting in
maintaining a suitable environment in which to deliver that care.
6
To work on an ad hoc and flexible basis to support ward/department teams throughout the Trust
delivering care.
Patient care
• Provide support to patients to maintain their hygiene needs. This may include actions such as:
Bathing/washing
Care of mouth, hair, nails and eyes
• Provide support to maintain their elimination needs. This may include actions such as:
- Encouraging continence
- Emptying urinary catheter bags
- Mobilising to toilet or use of commode or bedpan
- Maintaining hygiene needs after episodes of incontinence
• Assist in the delivery of pressure area care. This may include actions such as:
- Repositioning of patients as directed
- Maintenance of good levels of skin hygiene
- Reporting the observed condition of a patient’s skin
• Assist in the maintenance of patients nutritional and hydration needs. This may include actions such
as:
- Assisting patients in the selection of appropriate food and drink
- Serving meals and drinks
- Report any observed swallowing difficulties to the Registered nurses
- Measure and record intake and output accurately
• Accurately undertake and record patient observations (at a frequency determined by the Registered
nurses), reporting any abnormalities immediately to a registered nurse. This may include actions such
as:
- Recording, Temperature, Pulse, Blood Pressure and Respiratory Rate
- Peak Flow
- Oxygen saturation level
- Hourly urine output
- Patient at Risk/Early warning score
- Weight
• Escort patients to and from other wards and departments under the direct instruction of the
Registered nurses.
• To move patients safely using techniques taught by the Manual Handling Team, including the safe use
of mechanical and non-mechanical manual handling aids.
• To provide clinical administrative support to Registered nurses. This may include actions such as:
- Assemble nursing documentation
- Advise Admissions/Bed Bureau of patients’ arrival
- Record patients’ biographical data in manual/computerised records
- Collate patient documentation on discharge or transfer
- Answer the telephone courteously, relay messages accurately and promptly, answer
general enquiries by visitors
- To ensure that patient’s valuables and possessions are cared for as per available policy
7
Management
To effectively manage own workload when caring for a group of patients and reporting to a Registered
nurse when expected roles have not been fulfilled.
To ensure that any observed incident, complaint or other undue occurrence is reported in accordance
with Trust policy.
Participate in the maintenance of an effective and safe environment on the ward/department. This will
include actions such as:
- Maintain general tidiness and cleanliness of the ward
- Maintain, monitor and control stock and equipment within the ward
- Prepare specific equipment required within the ward
- Assist in creating a restful and supportive environment
- Make occupied and unoccupied beds
- Prepare environment for clinical procedures
Education, Development and Supervision
To participate in annual appraisal and identify own learning needs
Attends annual statutory training sessions
Be aware of and adhere to work in accordance with the Trust policies and procedures and relevant
national legislation
Professional Conduct
To adhere at all times to uniform policy
To conduct oneself in a manner perceived by others as constructive
To address personal concerns constructively through appropriate channels
Communication and Relationships
To communicate in a manner that is perceived as being constructive and helpful by patients, relatives,
carers and staff
Be aware of and support individual, religious, cultural, psychological and special needs
Provide information about services available to patients within the ward
8
PERSON SPECIFICATION
The following pages contain a description of the
qualifications, skills, experience, knowledge and
other attributes a candidate should ideally
possess to successfully perform this role.
9
QUALIFICATIONS
ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE
• GCSE in Maths and English grade 9-4 (A – • NVQ2/3 in Health related subject
C)
OR
• Functional Skills Level 1 or higher
EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE
ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE
• Can demonstrate an understanding, • Previous hospital experience
through personal statement and
interview, of what is required within the
role of a Health Care Assistant in the care
setting
• Can describe the Trust Values and
demonstrate how they put these in to
practice within their caring role
10
SKILLS/ CAPABILITY
ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE
• Evidence of effective verbal (face to face
and via telephone), written
communication and listening skills
• Evidence of the ability to work with a
variety of teams, in a number of different
acute settings, on a daily basis, to achieve
a common goal
• Is aware everyone has different feelings
and values and is aware of the need to
respect and acknowledge those of other
people at all times.
• Is aware of their own values, attitudes
and cultural assumptions and does not
allow them to have an adverse impact on
other people.
GENERAL CONDITIONS
As they undertake their duties, all our people are required to uphold and demonstrate the Trust’s
core values of: Partnering, Ambitious, Caring and Trusted. Collaboration and partnership are also
central to our approach in delivering our fundamental activities of patient care, teaching, and
research.
HEALTH & SAFETY
As an employee of the Trust, you have a responsibility to:
• take reasonable care of your own Health and Safety and that of any other person who may be affected
by your acts or omissions at work; and
• co-operate with the Trust in ensuring that statutory regulations, codes of practice, local policies and
departmental health and safety rules are adhered to; and
• not intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health and
safety
11
INFECTION PREVENTION
AND CONTROL (IPC)
The prevention and management of acquired infection is a key priority for the Trust. As an
employee of the Trust, you have a responsibility to:
• ensure that your work methods are compliant with the Trust’s agreed policies and procedures and do
not endanger other people or yourself; and
• be aware of infection prevention and control policies, practices, and guidelines appropriate for your
duties and you must follow these at all times to maintain a safe environment for patients, visitors and
colleagues; and
• maintain an up-to-date knowledge of infection prevention and control, policies, practices, and
procedures through attendance at annual mandatory updates and ongoing continuing professional
development; and
• challenge poor infection prevention and control practices of others and to report any breaches, using
appropriate Trust mechanisms (e.g. incident reporting policy)
INFORMATION GOVERNANCE
The Trust is committed to compliance with Information Governance standards to ensure that all
information is handled legally, securely, efficiently, and effectively. You are required to comply
with the Trust’s Information Governance policies and standards.
• Confidentiality and Security - Your attention is drawn to the confidential nature of
information collected within the NHS. Whilst you are employed by the Trust you will come
into contact with confidential information and data relating to the work of the Trust, its
patients or employees. You are bound by your conditions of service to respect the
confidentiality of any information you may come into contact with which identifies
patients, employees or other Trust personnel, or business information of the Trust. You
also have a duty to ensure that all confidential information is held securely at all times,
both on and off site.
• Disclosure of Information - To ensure that information is only shared with the appropriate
people in appropriate circumstances, care must be taken to check the recipient has a legal
basis for access to the information before releasing it. Upon leaving the Trust’s
employment and at any time thereafter you must not take advantage of or disclose
confidential information that you learnt in the course of your employment, to protect
yourself and the Trust from any possible legal action.
• Information Quality and Records Management - You must ensure that all information
handled by you is accurate and kept up-to-date and you must comply with the Trust’s
recording, monitoring, validation and improvement schemes and processes.
12
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND
PERFORMANCE REVIEW
As an employee of the Trust, you have a responsibility to:
• participate in continuous personal development including, statutory and mandatory training as
appropriate for the post; and
• maintain consistently high personal and professional standards and act in accordance with the relevant
professional code of conduct; and
• take responsibility for the maintenance and improvement of personal and professional competence and
to encourage that of colleagues and subordinates
SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND
VULNERABLE ADULTS
We all have a personal and a professional responsibility within the Trust to identify and report
abuse.
As an employee of the Trust, you have a responsibility to ensure that:
• you are familiar with and adhere to the Trusts Safeguarding Children procedures and guidelines
• you attend safeguarding awareness training and undertake any additional training in relation to
safeguarding relevant to your role
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
The Trust is committed to behaving responsibly in the way we manage transport, procurement,
our facilities, employment, skills, and our engagement with the local community so that we can
make a positive contribution to society. As an employee of the Trust, you have a responsibility to
take measures to support our contribution and to reduce the environmental impact of our
activities relating to energy and water usage, transport and waste.
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust is committed to creating a culture that puts
Continuous Improvement at the forefront of our transformational journey and our aim is to
empower colleagues at all levels have the confidence, capability, passion, and knowledge, to test
changes and make improvements at SaTH and in the communities we serve.
Following a successful five-year partnership with the Virginia Mason Institute in the USA, SaTH
continues to further develop and embed the Trust’s approach to Continuous Improvement at all
13
levels of the organisation. You will be supported by an Improvement Hub, which will provide the
necessary expertise to support you make improvements, while also providing training at various
stages of your time at SaTH, as part of your continuing professional development.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
AND DIVERSITY
The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust is striving towards being an equal opportunities
employer. No job applicant or colleague will be discriminated against on the grounds of race,
colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, age, sex, marital status or on the
grounds of disability or sexual preference.
Selection for training and development and promotion will be on the basis of an individual’s ability
to meet the requirements of the job.
The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust the post-holder will have personal responsibility to
ensure they do not discriminate, harass, bully, or contribute to the discrimination, harassment or
bullying of a colleague or colleagues, or condone discrimination, harassment or bullying by others.
The post-holder is also required to co-operate with measures introduced to ensure equality of
opportunity.
NO SMOKING POLICY
There is a no smoking policy in operation within the Trust. Smoking within the Trust’s premises or
within the Trust’s grounds is not permitted.
MISCELLANEOUS
This job description is an outline of the key tasks and responsibilities of the post and is not
intended to be an exhaustive list. The job may change over time to reflect the changing needs of
the Trust and its services as well as the personal development.
14
The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital The Princess Royal Hospital
Telephone: 01743 261000 Telephone: 01952 641222
Minicom: 01743 261213 Minicom: 01952 641222 Ext: 4995
Address: Address:
The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital The Princess Royal Hospital
Mytton Oak Road Apley Castle
Shrewsbury Telford
SY3 8XQ TF1 6TF
Getting to The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital Getting to The Princess Royal Hospital
15
sath.nhs.uk
