Health Care Support Worker (HCSW)

Job overview

A Health Care Support Worker (HCSW) is a core member of the team delivering personal care to patients and supporting registered practitioners to deliver high quality, compassionate care.

You will carry out a range of non-clinical healthcare tasks, under the direct supervision of the registered healthcare practitioner. Your role is to provide compassionate care, to agreed quality standards and in accordance with Trust values.

There will be opportunities to develop your knowledge and skills, specific to your individual needs. Training will be provided to ensure you have the required core skills and skills set specific to your area of work. You will also be supported to obtain your care certificate if you do not have this qualification.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Main duties of the job

1. Develop the skills to obtain consent prior to giving care in accordance with Trust policies. 2. Under supervision follow individual patient care plans and report any changes immediately to the Registered Nurse/Assistant Practitioner. 3. Participate in basic patient assessment whilst providing personal care and feeding back to the registered nurse to ensure high standards of care, in particular relating to skin integrity and the alertness of the patient 4. Practice safe standards of care to patients following Trust guidelines and policies and be able to concentrate for periods throughout the day with occasional interruptions. 5. Ensure care is given in accordance with the infection prevention and health and safety policies and procedures. 6. Ensure that the patients bed space is clean, tidy, and accessible and that the person has what they need within easy reach. 7. Develop the skills to actively facilitate self-care and independence with patients. 8. Promote health education specific to the clinical area and in line with national and local policies 9. Develop the skills to maintain effective record keeping and communication with patients, relatives, and members of the Multidisciplinary team regarding all aspects of care demonstrating a range of appropriate communication skills. 10. Ensuring equipment and stores are well maintained, taking appropriate action if the equipment is faulty 11. Work effectively as part of a team

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• 1.     Develop the skills to obtain consent prior to giving care in accordance with Trust policies. 2.     Under supervision follow individual patient care plans and report any changes immediately to the Registered Practitioner. 3.     Demonstrate care and compassion to patients, carers, and relatives to help ensure high-quality person-centred patient care is delivered at all times. 4.     Undertake basic patient assessment whilst providing personal care and feeding back to the Registered Practitioner to ensure high standards of care, in particular relating to skin integrity and the alertness of the patient. 5.     Practice safe standards of care to patients following Trust guidelines and policies and be able to concentrate for periods throughout the day with occasional interruptions. 6.     Ensure care is given in accordance with the infection prevention and health and safety policies and procedures. 7.     Ensure that the patients bed space is clean, tidy, and accessible and that the person has what they need within easy reach. 8.     Develop the skills to actively facilitate self-care and independence with patients. 9.     Undertake personal care duties. 10.   Supporting with toileting, bathing, dressing, and feeding. Recording oral fluid balance and nutrition. 11.   Promote health education specific to the clinical area and in line with national and local policies. 12.   Develop the skills to maintain effective record keeping and communication with patients, relatives, and members of the Multidisciplinary team regarding all aspects of care demonstrating a range of appropriate communication skills, where there may be barriers to understanding. 13.   Ensuring equipment and stores are well maintained, taking appropriate action if the equipment is faulty. 14.   Work effectively as part of a team. 15.   The HCSW is responsible for inputting information into the electronic patient record where applicable and also into patients written records.  Comply with all relevant legislation and local policies regarding confidentiality and access to medical records. For further details please see the attached JD & PS