Health Care Assistant

Job overview

Working under the supervision of the qualified nursing staff, the HCSW will participate and support the members of the multi-disciplinary team in delivering high quality patient care. Band 3 HCSWs will be expected to carry out specific skills depending upon the requirements of the clinical area.

Main duties of the job

To provide efficient running of clinics within the department

Provide nursing support where required (see Job description)

Charonone clinics where required

Complete investigations required, within scope of practice

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Direct patient care 2.1 To practice the Care Certificate and support junior staff to achieve the standards. 2.2 Communicate with tact, empathy, overcome barriers to understanding e.g., patients with physical impairment, mental health conditions or learning disabilities. 2.3 To assist with nursing care as instructed by the registered nursing staff, including patient toileting/ elimination. 2.4 To care for the patient’s personal clothing, property and valuables in accordance with relevant Trust policies. 2.5 To assist with the moving and handling of patients and loads, using the correct moving and handling aids and techniques, in accordance with Trust policy, local guidelines and risk assessments. 2.6 To ensure that patient privacy and dignity are respected at all times and that nursing care is patient focused. 2.7 To demonstrate an awareness of the importance of patient confidentiality and ensure a safe and secure environment at all times. 2.8 To perform patient observations e.g. temperature, pulse, blood pressure, respiration, urine testing, fluid balance charts, height & weight and to record these correctly in the patient’s records, reporting any abnormality or change in these to a qualified nurse. 2.9 Undertake a limited range of delegated clinical care duties relevant to the specific clinical area following training and or competency sign off, for example, ECG, urinalysis, catheter removal, MRSA screening swabs, blood glucose monitoring, pregnancy testing, removal of peripheral cannula, observing patients for signs of agitation or distress, providing heightened observation through, recording of allergies on EPR and other clinical tasks where training/competency sign off deemed appropriate for a Band 3 HCSW. This would also include venepuncture (cannulation could be included but only in specific areas according to Trust policy – e.g. ED). 2.10 To work within own personal/professional limitations and seek help of others to maintain safe practice. 2.11 Assisting with nutrition where applicable e.g. assisting with menu completion, feeding assistance. Working closely with the ward host/hostess and housekeeper. Understanding the dietary needs of patients and utilise diet charts and fluid balance charts appropriately. 2.12 Take an active role in maintaining effective communication with all disciplines, patients and relatives, liaising with the trust’s MDT as appropriate, to ensure complete holistic care is provided and harm free care is monitored. 2 2.13 Demonstrates an understanding of nursing care plans and utilises them in line with Trust policy and procedure. 2.14 Assisting in the provision of basic care to patients so as to ensure their comfort, cleanliness and well-being, for example mouth care, hygiene and eye care. 2.15 Reporting to registered nurses any problems or concerns arising during observation of or conversations with patients and carers. 2.16 To report faulty equipment to the relevant department for repair. 2.17 To transport, as required, clinical specimens, blood and blood-products as per Trust policy. 2.18 To support and reassure patients during clinical procedures or treatment. 2.19 To escort patients to and from the ward area if required and if the patient is stable. 2.20 Provide enhanced care to patients according to the Trust policy, ensuring therapeutic engagement with patients. Support new HCSWs to become competent in fulfilling the responsibilities of the enhanced carer role. 2.21 In addition to the main skills above, there may be other clinical skills required of the role. 3 Maintenance of the environment: 3.1 To support the housekeeper in the maintenance of a clean environment by ensuring that lockers and the surrounding bed area is cleaned and maintained properly, and that beds are cleaned and re-made when patients are discharged. 3.2 To ensure that all linen is stored, transferred and disposed of correctly within Trust policy. 3.3 To assist the ward team to keep the ward/clinical area tidy, including storage cupboards, sluice, equipment and treatment rooms. 3.4 To assist in the checking, unpacking and storing of items delivered to the clinical area. 3.5 To ensure that all equipment is cleaned after use, in line with Trust policy. 3.6 To be aware of, and demonstrate adherence to, the Trust’s policy on infection control and waste disposal. To adhere to the principles of universal precautions in all aspects of patient care. 3.7 To run errands as requested to assist in patient care/smooth running of the clinical area. 3 3.8 3.9 To assist in the signposting of health promotion advice as appropriate to the role and in line with own level of competence. To liaise with the housekeeper and clinical team to ensure that maintenance problems are reported to the Estates maintenance desk promptly. 3.10 To adhere to the recommendations for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health and risk assessments appropriate to the clinical area. 4 Customer Service 4.1 To answer the telephone in a courteous manner and relay both oral and written messages accurately and promptly. 4.2 To greet all visitors to the ward courteously and in a professional manner. 4.3 To establish and maintain good relationships with visitors, relatives and staff, helping them to find their way around the clinical or ward environment and hospital site. 4.4 To be punctual at all times. 5 Professional Development 5.1 To participate in the Trust’s Individual Performance Review process and demonstrate commitment to ongoing professional development by working towards the objectives agreed within an annual Personal Development Plan. 5.2 To assist with the induction and ongoing development of Band 2 HCSWs and other support staff and learners, acting as a role model and buddy. 5.3 To understand own level of responsibility and accountability in relation to qualified nurses. Identify own learning needs and produce a personal development plan in conjunction with the ward manager/ line manager. 5.4 Take part in reflection and appropriate learning from practice, to maintain and develop competence and performance. 5.5 All HCSWs recruited to the Trust ,will be required to attend designated study days, and complete relevant activities and competency assessments, whilst working towards achieving this award within a culture of life-long learning. 6 General 6.1 To have responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of self and others, and to comply at all times with the requirements of the Health & Safety regulations. 4 6.2 To promote equal opportunities for staff and clients in accordance with St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust policies. To ensure that no person receives less favourable treatment than another does on the grounds of sex, marital status, race, religion, creed, colour, nationality, ethnic or national or sexual orientation. 6.3 To comply with the Trust’s No Smoking Policy 6.4 To be clean, tidy, and smart in appearance by wearing the correct uniform at all times as per Trust policy. 6.5 To perform any duties as may be required from time to time that are consistent with the responsibilities of the role and the needs of the service. . 6.6 To work at all times within the policies and procedures of St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust. 6.7 To be familiar with the Patient Administration System (PAS) and Electronic Patient Record (EPR) and any other computerized system integral to the running of the ward or clinical area. 6.8 To report all accidents, incidents, and complaints as per Trust policy and to participate in their investigation and management. 6.9 To attend annual mandatory training in: 6.9.1 6.9.2 6.9.3 basic life support fire manual handling. 7.0 To attend mandatory training in:

• Food handling
• Blood products
• Blood glucose monitoring (where appropriate) The HCSW works under the direct supervision of a qualified nurse at all times and must acknowledge when a particular task is outside of her/his role or competence.

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.