Nursing Assistant Academy

If you're looking for a new opportunity, this is the perfect environment in which to gain a foothold in a new career. You will need to be motivated to provide the highest standards of care and to treat our patients with dignity, compassion and respect.

The Care Certificate in Oxford University Hospitals

Since April 2015, all new staff, employed in Bands 2, 3 and 4, working in health and social care who have a clinical aspect to their role, must hold the Health Education England (HEE) Care Certificate Award.

Health Education England (HEE) Care Certificate Award

The Care Certificate is an identified set of 15 standards that health and social care workers adhere to in their daily working life. It is designed to give everyone the confidence that the non-regulated workforce have the essential skills, knowledge and behaviours to deliver a high standard of compassionate care to our patients.

As part of their preparation to care for patients, new staff members will undertake a seven day Care Certificate programme to enable them to complete the award during their probationary period.

If the Care Certificate has been completed in another organisation the new staff member will be asked to present their completed portfolio and certificate at interview. Further work may be requested for quality assurance and this is identified by the Care Certificate Practice Educators.

The Care Certificate provides clear evidence that the health worker has been trained and developed and achieved each of the 15 standards which are underpinned by full learning outcomes and assessment criteria.

We hold two Care Certificate Graduation ceremonies every year. These are held in Tingewick Hall on the John Radcliffe Hospital site. The graduation is always a joyous occasion where the achievement of the new staff members is celebrated with family and work colleagues.

Thoughts from a member of staff who recently completed their Care Certificate

Q: What did you enjoy about completing your Care Certificate?
A: Really changed my perception of the role, which can be seen as a kind of lower position and looked down upon. From doing this it makes me respect my role more and how important it is. Also made me think much more out of the box to help in a patient centred way rather than just ticking boxes and routine 'One fits all kind of thinking'.

Q: Do you think the Care Certificate has given you confidence in questioning practice?
A: Yes! It helps. I am much stronger and not afraid to question if something doesn’t look correct or to query if something might be able to be achieved in a different/better way

Q: Did you find it was relevant to practice?
A: I use everything I learnt every day every minute! It covers all we have to think about while doing an action or dealing with information and how we are responsible for what goes on around us.

Email: carecertificate@ouh.nhs.uk

The Care Certificate may be just the start of the journey (YouTube video)

Vacancies

There are a number of vacancies across the Trust. Departments regularly advertise for, and recruit, new nursing assistants, therapy assistants, maternity support workers and theatre support workers to support patients who:

• are older people
  
• have cancer
  
• have specialist medical conditions
  
• require surgery
  
• require emergency medical treatment or ongoing support as an outpatient
• are living in their own homes.

You may be supporting patients with personal care, such as assisting them to the toilet, with bathing and at mealtimes. In some departments, following specific training, you may also take on additional clinical roles.

You are likely to be required to work shifts and these could include several different patterns, including early, late, night or 12 hour shifts throughout the week, at weekends and on Bank Holidays.

There may be opportunities open to you if you can only work fixed hours or days, but there are some wards and departments where this may be difficult as flexible working is part of the job. Working hours would be something to discuss with individual departments during the application process. You will still be required to complete the Care Certificate course.

The values, standards and behaviours expected at OUH define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community.

We call this delivering compassionate excellence, and its focus is respect, dignity, trust and learning. These values put patients at the heart of what we do, and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family.

For more details, please contact us:

Email: nursingassistantacademy@ouh.nhs.uk