Health Care Assistant

Job overview

The Senior Healthcare Assistant/Support Worker will be an integral member of the ward/department team working through close supervision of a registered practitioner.

The Senior Healthcare Assistant/Support Worker is responsible for providing personal and clinical care, undertaking clinical observations and other interventions as delegated by the registered practitioner and in accordance with existing competencies.

The Senior Healthcare Assistant/Support Worker will ensure that their practice is guided by standard operating procedures and established policies and guidelines. They will demonstrate self-directed development, recognising own limitations, and work within the scope of their role at all times.

The Senior Healthcare Assistant/Support Worker will contribute to supporting and developing other colleagues.

The Senior Healthcare Assistant/Support Worker will act in a manner that upholds privacy, dignity, respect and confidentiality for patients and colleagues.

Main duties of the job

Welcome and orientate patients, carers, relatives and other visitors to the ward/department demonstrating care and compassion at all times.

Report any observed changes or concerns in the patient’s physical or psychological needs to the registered practitioner.

Provide support to the registered practitioner, and where appropriate, other members of the ward/department clinical team as required.

Initiate and participate with emergencies i.e., cardiac arrest, patient falls and patients with a rapidly deteriorating condition.

Undertake transfer/escort of patients from one area to another within their scope of practice and after appropriate delegation from the registered practitioner.

If required, log patients personal property/valuables on admission.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Ensure patient’s nutritional needs are met through assisting in the preparation of patients prior to meals and beverages providing assistance in feeding drinking where appropriate.

Correctly record and monitor dietary intake of patients, informing registered practitioners of progress and/or any difficulties relating to dietary/fluid intake experienced by the patient.

Communicate effectively and maintain good relationships with patients, relatives, and healthcare practitioners and contribute to effective Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) team work.

Ensure that information passed to patients, relatives or colleagues is understood using tact, encouragement or empathy as required.

Ask for, listen to and value the views of patients and their relatives on their experience and discuss this with registered practitioners in order to improve care and patient experience.

Actively support and assist in alleviating distress and anxiety for patients and carers in line with their personal beliefs and preferences whilst in hospital informing a registered practitioner where any changes and/or concerns are observed.

Undertake clerical duties, including filing, as directed by the registered nurse practitioner in relation to all verbal and written communications.  Ensure that messages and communications are passed to other team members, as required.

Further details provided in attached JD /PS document