Enhanced Care Worker

Job overview

The Enhanced Care Worker (ECW) will provide a full range of therapeutic interactions using activity based interventions and provide support to patients on a one to one basis whilst maintaining respect for the individuality, confidentiality and dignity of the patient. They will be working collaboratively with multi-disciplinary team members to ensure a high and consistent standard of one-to-one care is delivered to individual patients following the assessment and planning of care by an Enhanced Care Coordinator.  The post holder will be an active member of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT), undertaking routine personal care activities for patients, for example, bathing, toileting, dressing, supporting with meals and refreshments.  The post holder has a personal responsibility and duty of care to patients/service users;  they are expected to comply fully with all Trust policies and protocols, including those related to patient safety and the prevention of healthcare associated infections. They must also promote dignity, privacy, and respect, to deliver compassionate, safe, high-quality patient care.  As a Trust employee, they will honour their work commitments, be reliable and trustworthy. They will uphold the Trust values, the Trust code of conduct and will always display civility towards others. The post holder will be expected to complete the Care Certificate within the first 6 months of employment and participate in ongoing learning and career development

Main duties of the job

To provide high quality and consistent enhanced care to patients who have complex health and social needs.   To provide Enhanced Care to individual patients on a one to one basis who have complex health and social needs within an Acute ward environment or department as directed by the Enhanced Care Coordinator which includes:  Enhanced one to one observation of patients who are deemed suitable including patients with dementia, learning disability, mental health, drug & alcohol withdrawal, falls, abscond risk, self-harm and delirium.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Accompanying patients, allowing freedom to walk if safe to do so.  Being involved in therapy and continuing this with the allocated patient so as not to decondition.  Utilising meaningful and therapeutic activities such as dominoes, cards, drawing, jigsaws etc. provided by the Enhanced Care Team activity bags.  Utilising the Reminiscence Interactive Therapy Assistant (RITA) technology and the Magic 360 Table to engage patients in meaningful activities.   Talking and listening to patients. Assist with nutritional and hydration needs with staff permission and guidance. Accompany patients off the ward for appointments and transfers to care homes with staff  permission.  Respect and acknowledge skills and boundaries, taking opportunities to develop personal  knowledge base to contribute to effective teamwork. Actively participate in personal care provision and associated procedures as part of the  MDT and work with other stakeholders to assist patients/service users to regain their health  and independence.  Provide assistance with all aspects of personal hygiene, bathing, toileting and other basic  continence needs that the patient/service user may require, using hoists, wheelchairs and  other equipment to safely transfer or position patients.   Supports patients with dressing, using appropriate dressing aids to promote  independence. Will assist patients with other care needs associated with personal  appearance, including routine nail and hair care.  Will support the basic nutrition and hydration needs of patients appropriate to any care  plans. May be required to assist patients with fluid/nutritional intake and complete input  and output records/charts and any other associated metrics, e.g. patients’ height, weight.   Will report patients progress, status, changes or any concerns that may be identified when  undertaking aspects of personal care to the registered professional / senior member of the  team accordingly, for example a breakdown in skin integrity, weight loss etc.).  Timely update of basic records/charts related to personal care and associated activity in  accordance with Trust policy, updating electronic or paper-based systems accordingly  following completion of the Health Care Record Keeping course. Entries will be  countersigned by the registered professional.  Forge good communications with patients/service users, family, carers, colleagues and  other professionals to ensure integrated quality care is provided.  Acts as an advocate for the patient, respecting patient’s wishes, dignity and beliefs.