Advanced Dialysis Assistant

Job overview

An opportunity has arisen for a part time Band 4,  Advance Haemodialysis Assistant to join the team at Bromley Satellite Dialysis Unit. The unit is situated on a non-hospital site within the residential area of Bromley town centre, close to Bromley South rail station.  This unit is an integral part of the Kings College Hospital Renal Unit and has 17 Haemodialysis stations including 1 side room.

This is an exciting opportunity for anyone looking to expand their skills in the Haemodialysis health care setting as a Band 4.

The position is ideal for an enthusiastic Band 3 or 4 with clinical experience in Haemodialysis or another Healthcare setting. The main duties of this role will be to support the nursing team in delivering Haemodialysis, a form Renal Replacement Therapy to a cohort of patients in a nurse lead outpatient area.

Main duties of the job

• Work within the recognised boundaries of the remit of Advanced Dialysis Assistant.   • Assist the nursing staff in delivering a high standard of holistic care to patients • Assist in and perform patient assessment including HD intentional rounding  • Be proficient with IT systems used in the Trust for patient’s records  • Demonstrate a variety of communication skills:  • Obtain, relay, record and store information relating to care episode via EPIC, whilst at all times maintaining confidentiality.   • Demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of accurate documentation and contribution towards recording dialysis encounters via EPIC, recognising that the qualified practitioner has personal accountability for entries to patient records.   • Ensure the appropriate HD related nutritional intake and advice is provided to delegated patients, with due consideration to dietary and cultural needs.   • Prepare patient for and assist with specific HD related clinical procedures appropriate to the area in which they are working • Perform and record blood glucose, and potassium levels utilising point of care monitoring equipment as per Trust policy, report adverse results to a registered nurse.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To participate in the delivery of high quality, patient focused clinical care.   To support registered healthcare professionals in the provision of a safe and caring environment    To work effectively as part of the nursing team    Assist in the induction, supervision and training of HCA’s band 3 and trainee Dialysis Assistants   To uphold a duty of care and clinical governance   Key Working Relationships  Patients, relatives/carers, nurses, other members of the multi-disciplinary team, local social care services, partner health organisations and relevant voluntary organisations.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities:  • Work within the recognised boundaries of the remit of Advanced Dialysis Assistant.   • Assist the nursing staff in delivering a high standard of holistic care to patients, promoting their equality, privacy, dignity and confidentiality at all times.   • Assist in and perform patient assessment including HD intentional rounding (under supervision and an appropriate delegation from the registered practitioner), plan and deliver high standards of HD care.   • Be proficient with IT systems used in the Trust for patient’s records  • Demonstrate a variety of communication skills: provide concise handovers to the nursing team, provide and receive complex sensitive information with reference to patients, carers and members of the MDT regarding all aspects of care, which may be sensitive or contentious.   • Obtain, relay, record and store information relating to care episode via EPIC, whilst at all times maintaining confidentiality.   • Demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of accurate documentation and contribution towards recording dialysis encounters via EPIC, recognising that the qualified practitioner has personal accountability for entries to patient records.   • Provide and promote health education to delegated patients within the unit in which they work in line with national and local policies   • Ensure the appropriate HD related nutritional intake and advice is provided to delegated patients, with due consideration to dietary and cultural needs.   • Prepare patient for and assist with specific HD related clinical procedures appropriate to the area in which they are working, for example; insertion of temporary vascular catheter.   • Perform and record blood glucose, and potassium levels utilising point of care monitoring equipment as per Trust policy, report adverse results to a registered nurse.   • Assist with basic cardio-pulmonary resuscitation procedures.   • Patients delegated per shift will be at the discretion of the Nurse in  Charge/Unit Manager

Haemodialysis specific responsibilities:

• Be able to ‘set up’ all models of Haemodialysis machines according to patients’ dialysis prescription.   • Be able to safely and competently connect patients to the haemodialysis system, only after all setting and programming have been verified by a Registered Nurse   • Measure, monitor and record the following, escalating and reporting any abnormalities to the RGN:    Blood pressure, pulse, weight pre/post dialysis    Temperature    Respiratory rate     Oxygen saturation levels    Blood sugar    Vascular access arterial and venous pressure    Transmembrane /Dialysate Inlet pressure    Blood flow     Ongoing monitoring via the EPIC flowsheet     Patient environment for risk of falls    Assesses the patient for risk of needle dislodgement    Litres processed   Treatment start/stop time    Machine number    Document dialysis observations   • Be able to cannulate both arterial and venous sites of mature AV fistulas with minimal or no support as directed by a registered nurse   • Be able to undertake routine and monthly blood sampling as requested by a registered nurse   • Able to meet the needs or care and support at the end of life as well as provide care for the deceased person respecting cultural requirements and protocols, involving families and carers.   • Be able to competently and safely discontinue haemodialysis when treatment has been completed   • Be able to safely remove and dispose of AV fistula needles   • Be able to dispose of all HD circuit lines following infection control guidelines   • Be able to decontaminate dialysis equipment following infection control guidelines and document using the HD decontamination checklist.   • Ensure that the HD station equipment is decontaminated accordingly depending on the shift following infection control guidelines and complete documentation via the HD station checklist    • Identify and take appropriate action when equipment malfunctions adhering to HD faulty equipment reporting section of the decontamination guideline   • Able to participate in data collection for audit purposes   • Monitor patients under their care regularly and escalate to the registered nurse any changes to the Registered Nurse and/or raise the emergency call  • Recognise emergency situations, raise the alarm and be able to administer basic life support

Customer Care/Administration:   To ensure that all patients and relatives are welcomed and orientated to the ward environment   To assist with the care of distressed or bereaved relatives   To assist with clerical and ward administrative duties, including data  management, photocopying, transporting of equipment/data/ paperwork to other departments   To provide clear and effective information and communication, both verbally and in documentation.  Promptly referring enquiries to the relevant person   To maintain confidentiality at all times, in and out of the hospital environment   To demonstrate an awareness of the different cultural, ethnic and religious believes

Personal and Professional Responsibilities:   To adhere to, and work within the code of conduct for clinical support workers at King’s College Hospital   To be able to identify with support own development needs, completing a competency document and learning objectives within a specified time frame and as agreed by manager   To ensure own attendance at mandatory study days and training ( BLS, manual  handling etc.) as required by ward/departmental manager   To update skills and knowledge as required by the Trust   To actively participate in annual individual performance review

Education:   To be involved in teaching and education programs within the unit    Be involved in HD shared activities within the unit    Be active in link roles within the unit such as falls and HD Shared care     To assist in supervising HCA’s undertaking the Advanced dialysis assistant course    To participate in reflection and clinical supervision as provided  Leadership:   To adhere to, and work within the National Code of Conduct for clinical support workers at King’s College Hospital    To manage an agreed workload with supervision and support from colleagues and senior staff    To work within and support the multidisciplinary team, contributing ideas toward future developments    To act as a role model and advisor to less experienced staff demonstrating and promoting the Trusts Values and Behaviours    To provide day-to-day supervision and co-ordination of junior staff (e.g. healthcare  assistants (band 2), apprentices, work experience) supporting their local induction    Take personal ownership in giving and receiving feedback    To participate in reflection and or clinical supervision sessions as provided    To observe personal and collective responsibility for resource management    To be responsible with others for any specific risk management associated with the post, reporting and taking appropriate actions as necessary

Management:  • With guidance from the nurse in charge participate in appropriate action relating to complaints, accidents and serious untoward incidents involving patients, staff and visitors.   • To work within and support the multidisciplinary team, contributing ideas toward future developments   • To maintain effective communication and professional relationships    • To observe personal and collective responsibility for resource management   • To observe a general duty of care for the health, safety and well being of self, work colleagues, visitors and patients

Research and Service Development:     Assist with audits, surveys and research and developmental activities as instructed     Provide care to patients taking part in clinical trials as directed by registered healthcare  professionals in line with relevant research protocols     To act as a liaison with specialist teams and services as a link practitioner enhancing  communication and collaborative working by attending meetings and disseminating relevant  information (via face to face teaching and written/digital briefings)