Job overview

Would you like to work Monday to Friday? Do you love working in a team? Do you like variety in your role? We are currently looking for Assistant Practitioners to join our team within the Cardiac Catheter Lab & Day Unit at the University Hospital Southampton, NHS Foundation Trust (UHS). This role is instrumental in ensuring the smooth running of the Catheter Labs on a daily basis.

The unit is purpose built and houses a 13 bedded Day Unit, four fully equipped Cardiac Catheter Labs, a Hybrid lab, a reception area for adults and a reception bay for Paediatrics as well as a recovery area for local and general anaesthetic cases.

The day unit is open 07:15 - 21:00. The Labs, 08:00 -18:00. The team of Assistant Practitioners cover the department from 07:15 – 18:00, Monday to Friday, shift pattern of 10 hour shifts four days a week.

Main duties of the job

Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting. 

For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the ‘Job Description and Main Responsibilities’ section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached. 

Working for our organisation

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care. 

All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

WHAT YOU’LL DO

You will coordinate, admit patients, assist with the running of small clinics, and start the discharge summaries for the Doctors. Based in the reception area and on the day unit, the Assistant Practitioners work closely with the multidisciplinary team.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

We are looking for Caring Innovative Professional Assistant Practitioners (Senior Healthcare Assistants) who share our Trust Values of “Patients First, Working Together, Always Improving” to complement our friendly team. You will be well organised, have excellent attention to detail and enjoy the challenge of working is a fast paced, ever-changing environment.

If you would like to find out more about joining the Cath Lab & Day Unit team, please contact us. Informal visits are welcomed and very strongly encouraged.

Person specification

Trust Values

Essential criteria

• Patients First
• Always Improving
• Working Together

Qualifications / training required

Essential criteria

• Numeracy skills and Literacy skills at level 1 or 2 (or equivalent)
• 2 A-Levels in Science related subjects or equivalent ( e.g.BTEC HNC/HND in applied Sciences or Electrical Engineering).

Desirable criteria

• Experienced and competent in additional clinical skills as per job description
• e-CaMIS trained.
• Knowledge of Doctors Worklist and e-Docs.

Previous or relevant experience necessary

Essential criteria

• Good keyboard and computer skills
• Knowledge of medical terminology
• Logical and consistent work and career pattern
• Experience in a busy and demanding clinical environment
• Experience working under pressure and to deadlines
• Experience of working within a customer focused environment

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working within a cardiac unit and the ability to demonstrate understanding of the department
• Experience of working within the NHS and associated IT systems

Aptitudes and skills required

Essential criteria

• Demonstrates clarity and breadth in use of verbal and written communications in relation to our patient group
• Able to organise own workload
• Able to maintain records, using appropriate computer and manual files and extract information
• Good organisational and interpersonal skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to work as part of a team and under own initiative
• Conscientious approach, attention to detail
• Patient, dependability and motivation demonstrated
• Aware of personal limitations

Desirable criteria

• Ability to question appropriately
• Ability to prioritise

Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if large numbers of applications are received.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to acknowledge receipt of your application. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date of this post, please presume that you have not been selected for interview.

Applicants from University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust whose posts are considered to be ‘At Risk’ will be given prior consideration for this post

Our Trust runs the return to practice course each year for nurses who have been out of the profession and wish to return. To find out more please visit our website:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/WorkingHere/Typesofjob/Nurses/Returntonursing.aspx

http://www.discoversouthampton.co.uk/   Information on Southampton as a place to live and enjoy

https://www.uhs-vle.co.uk/   See what fantastic training and development we have on offer at UHS

http://www.youtube.com/user/SouthamptonHospitals learn about the Trust through visiting our YouTube channel 

Getting to Work

Application can be made for parking on site at UHS or through one of the park and ride schemes. This will be based on specific criteria to determine eligibility for site parking as this can be very limited.  UHS encourages staff to utilise other green methods of getting to work such as cycling or walking where possible. UHS is well connected through bus services to the city centre and other areas.

Please note that we will not accept any applications or queries via agencies, under any circumstances.

Our staff are positive about working at UHS and rate us above average compared to other NHS Trusts in the Staff Attitude Survey. We are rated strongly on a number of areas including teamwork, communication and engagement.

Equality remains at the centre of all Trust policy making, service delivery and employment practice with all employees being given equality of opportunity to develop, apply for promotion and have working arrangements that enable them to achieve a manageable work-life balance.

The Trust actively promotes a work environment free from harassment and discrimination and provides training for managers and staff to ensure this happens. The Trust also closely monitors recruitment activity, training and development and employment practices to ensure equality of practice with regard to race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status and age.

As a service provider the Trust ensures equality of access and delivery of our services through the provision of interpreter services, facilities for the disabled and sensitivity for patients ethnic and religious differences and needs.

Relocating to Southampton

If you are thinking of moving to the Hampshire area, please find below a link to our website which offers guidance on finding accommodation:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/relocating-to-southampton

The Trust is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers, and to this end may use the information you have provided on this form for the prevention and detection of fraud. It may also share this information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds for these purposes.