HCA – Orthopaedics

The Healthcare Assistant (HCA) in Orthopaedics plays a key supportive role in delivering safe, effective, and compassionate care within the Orthopaedic service at Glasgow. Working under the direction of registered nurses and clinicians, the HCA contributes to high-quality patient care for individuals recovering from trauma, fractures, elective surgery, and musculoskeletal conditions.

Key responsibilities include assisting patients with personal care, mobility, and rehabilitation activities; supporting nutrition and hydration; taking and recording observations; preparing patients for procedures; maintaining a clean and safe ward environment; and accurately documenting delegated care tasks. HCAs also help with patient comfort, reassurance, and emotional support throughout their recovery.

The role requires empathy, professionalism, resilience, and strong communication skills. HCAs must work effectively within a multidisciplinary team, follow clinical instructions closely, escalate concerns to registered staff promptly, and adapt to changing patient needs in a busy clinical environment.

Individuals are expected to uphold all safeguarding, infection-control, and clinical governance standards while promoting a culture of dignity, respect, and patient safety. Participation in training, team meetings, and service improvement initiatives is encouraged to support professional development.

A commitment to teamwork, adaptability, and consistently high-quality patient support underpins this role, contributing positively to the broader healthcare mission at Glasgow.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver safe, effective, high‑quality clinical services.
• Conduct assessments and develop patient‑centred treatment plans.
• Maintain accurate documentation and adhere to clinical guidelines.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
• Support service development and quality improvement initiatives.
• Participate in training, teaching, and supervision where appropriate.
• Uphold safeguarding, governance, and regulatory standards.

Key Requirements:

• Relevant professional qualification and registration.
• Experience in the specialty of practice.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities.
• Ability to work autonomously and manage workloads.
• Commitment to evidence‑based and patient‑centred care.
• Understanding of clinical governance and risk management.
• Professionalism, reliability, and problem‑solving skills.