Job Advert
NHS Forth Valley supported by the Job Centre and our Employability Partners is looking to recruit trainees to enrol in our Healthcare Support Worker pre-employment training programme starting Monday 19th August for a period of 5 Weeks.
This is an unpaid training programme however trainees registered with the DWP (Job Centre) or who are eligible to register with one of our Employability Partners will receive support for travel, childcare and other programme expenses for the duration of the programme. DWP Clients will not be required to attend their local Job Centre during the programme and will continue to receive their benefits.
This programme is designed to support candidates who have not previously worked in a Healthcare Support Worker role to develop the skills and experience to help them begin their career in Healthcare.
In addition to developing an understating of the role of a ward based healthcare support worker (HCSW), our programme will provide you with classroom training in core NHS topics, ‘hands on’ training in key areas including Patient Care and Introduction to Ward Skills, Moving and Handling and Management of Violence and Aggression training and in Weeks 3 to 5 you will be placed within one of our wards at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert to undertake a supervised hospital based placement.
Training will be delivered from our Training Suite at Stirling Community Hospital with Ward Based Placements at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert.
All trainees who successfully complete the programme are guaranteed to be interviewed for a suitable Healthcare Support Worker roles within NHS Forth Valley Hospitals.
Who can apply?
Candidates must be resident in the Forth Valley Board area and a Job Centre Client or registered/eligible to register with one of our 3 Employability partners in Stirling, Falkirk or Clackmannanshire
Candidates who are interested in applying for this programme must not be in employment or education, be genuinely interested in training to become a Healthcare Support Worker and are available to be interviewed for vacancies at the end of the programme and to take up employment if offered.
The selection day for this programme will take place on Friday 21st June at Stirling Community Hospital with selected candidates invited back to begin pre programme checks on Monday 24th June.
Please note that places on the programme are limited and not everyone who is referred will be invited to attend for a selection day.
How do I apply for this programme?
Applications for this programme are through referral by your Job Centre Work Coach or one of our Local Employability Partners. Please speak to your work coach or contact your local Employability Service to request a referral.
· Stirling Council residents email: learningandemployability@stirling.gov.uk or tel: 01786 237517 · Falkirk Council residents email : etu@falkirk.gov.uk or tel: 01324 504408 · Clackmannanshire Council residents email: cworks@clacks.gov.uk or tel 01259 226699
INFORMATION FOR WORK COACH AND EMPLOYABILITY TEAMS
Referral process
Interested candidates should first be invited to attend an online or in-person information session. This is a mandatory part of the process and referrals for selection should only be made after a candidate has attended an information session and has been screened as suitable to progress to selection day.
Please note that places at the selection day are limited with a maximum of 40 places available, of which a maximum of 15 candidates can be offered a place on the programme. If number of referrals exceeds the numbers of places available at selection day we may need to review profiles of clients, request additional information or select by DWP/LEP priority or underrepresented groups to progress to selection day.
Post Information Session Screening - Referrals should:
· Be registered with the DWP or registered/eligible to register with one of our employability partners
· not employed in any capacity during the training week days (e.g. self-employed or agency) or in education/returning to education.
· Have good communication and interpersonal skills and demonstrate a caring disposition
· Demonstrate the ability to follow instructions and are literate and numerate (required for recording important clinical information)
· Feel ready to commit to working in a hospital environment
· Be able to approach training activity with positivity and enthusiasm and be enthusiastic about developing knowledge and skills
· Understand that the role of a HCSW is primarily one of providing personal care and hands on support to our patients and understand the importance of meeting the needs of patients in a professional, respectful and dignified manner
· Have the right to work in the UK – this programme does not offer sponsorship.
· Be able to commit to the full 5 week training programme – see page 3 as Progression to interview is dependent upon successful completion of the programme in full.
· be aware that placements are hands on and will be in busy hospital based wards.
Participants who feel unable/unwilling to be exposed to the following would not be suitable
o Elderly patients or patients with dementia, challenging behaviour or mental health conditions
o Being on their feet for the duration of a shift (except for breaks)
o Bodily fluids (urine, vomit, phlegm, faeces etc.)
o Cleaning duties
o Supporting patient’s personal hygiene e.g. bathing patients, changing incontinence pads
o Helping people to eat and drink
After Selection Day – Pre Programme Checks for Selected Candidates
Candidates begin the pre programme checks process on the Monday following selection day.
· Create an electronic candidate record in our system
· PVG Screening and Occupational health clearance are mandatory. Participants should be advised that a criminal record, a disability or a pre existing health condition are not necessarily a barrier to working as a Health Care Support Worker.
· References – at least two referees that will cover a period of the last three years, we understand that this can be difficult if clients have not worked before or have a limited employment history and advice and guidance on this will be provided at information session.
Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.