COMPLEX HEALTHCARE ASSISTANT – INVASIVE VENTILATION AND COMPLEX CARE
Location: Worthing, West Sussex (BN14)
Pay: £17.00 per hour Monday to Friday, including holiday pay
Weekend rate: £17.50 per hour, including holiday pay
Hours: Full-time
Day shifts: 8:00am–8:00pm
Night shifts: 8:00pm–8:00am
Working pattern: Monday to Sunday, including weekends
IMPORTANT REQUIREMENT: A FULL UK MANUAL DRIVING LICENCE IS ESSENTIAL. You will be required to drive the service user's mobility vehicle to support his independence and access to the community.
ABOUT THE ROLE
We are looking for a compassionate, reliable and experienced Complex Healthcare Assistant to support a sociable and independent young man with complex physical and clinical needs in his family home and within the community.
The service user has congenital muscular dystrophy and chronic respiratory failure. He relies on a home ventilator (Nippy 4), which provides CPAP support 24 hours a day. He also receives all nutrition and medication through his PEG.
Despite his complex care needs, he enjoys an active social life and likes going to pubs, clubs and spending time with friends. We are looking for carers who are confident with clinical care but also enjoy supporting someone to get out, socialise and enjoy life.
The service user has full mental capacity and understands everything happening around him. It is important that carers communicate respectfully, involve him in decisions and support his choices and independence.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
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Providing high-quality, person-centred care in the family home and community.
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Supporting the service user with invasive ventilation and humidification in line with his clinical care plan and training.
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Monitoring respiratory wellbeing and oxygen saturation levels.
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Providing cough assist and oral suctioning as required.
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Supporting PEG feeding, flushing, medication administration, balloon volume checks and venting in line with the care plan.
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Administering nebuliser therapy as prescribed.
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Carrying out clinical observations, including blood pressure, pulse, temperature and respiratory rate.
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Supporting safe moving and handling, including the use of mobility aids.
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Supporting eating and drinking needs in accordance with the dysphagia and choking risk guidance, where applicable.
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Providing support with daily routines and personal care.
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Driving the service user's mobility vehicle to support appointments, social activities and community access.
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Accompanying the service user to pubs, clubs and social occasions.
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Promoting independence, dignity, choice and control at all times.
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Working respectfully alongside the service user and his family.
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
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Previous experience supporting adults with complex healthcare needs.
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A full UK manual driving licence is essential.
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Experience with PEG feeding and enteral medication administration.
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Experience with invasive ventilation and respiratory care.
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Understanding of ventilator humidification and respiratory monitoring.
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Experience with oral suctioning and cough assist.
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Confidence with nebuliser therapy.
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Experience monitoring oxygen saturation and carrying out clinical observations.
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Knowledge of dysphagia and choking risks.
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Experience supporting mobility and using appropriate moving and handling equipment.
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A confident, calm and compassionate approach.
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Good communication skills and respect for the service user's independence and decision-making.
ABOUT THE SERVICE USER
The service user is a sociable, witty young man who enjoys going out, spending time with friends and making the most of life. He does not want his complex care needs to prevent him from enjoying his interests and accessing the community.
He lives with his parents and siblings and has a friendly, well-trained dog who moves freely around the family home. Applicants must therefore be comfortable working in a household with a dog.
He has full mental capacity, so it is essential that staff communicate directly with him, respect his decisions and involve him in all aspects of his care.
TRAINING AND INDUCTION
You will be required to complete three days of package-specific training, including virtual and face-to-face sessions. Additional training, potentially up to five days, may be required depending on your experience and the Clinical Care Manager's assessment of your competencies.
SHADOW SHIFTS
You will be offered between three and five shadow shifts to help you become familiar with the service user's clinical needs, equipment, routines and family environment. Shadow shifts are paid at a lower rate.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
We are looking for someone who is clinically confident, reliable and approachable, with the ability to deliver complex respiratory care while supporting an active social lifestyle. You should be happy to drive, accompany the service user on outings and help him maintain his independence.
If you hold a manual driving licence and have the relevant complex care and respiratory experience, we would love to hear from you
