Healthcare 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.

Perform area specific clinical duties to enhance the delivery of patient care, which may include:

• Maintaining personal hygiene, grooming and dressing needs with specific concern for their religious, cultural and personal preference, ensuring privacy and dignity at all times.
• Assisting patients in gaining access to appropriate toilet facilities and measuring and recording body waste accurately.
• Assisting or undertaking mouth care including brushing of teeth/care of dentures
• Assisting patients with their mobility needs, help to move and position appropriately to maximise comfort, using equipment when trained to use and as directed by a registered practitioner.

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.

In accordance with training, ensure safe and effective infection prevention and control (including waste management), handwashing and wearing of Personal Protective Equipment are adhered to at all times.

Maintain cleanliness in the work environment in line with Health and Safety and Infection Prevention policies and guidelines.

Prepare and maintain environments for clinical procedures in line with current policies.

Organise the supply and maintenance of materials and ward or department equipment ensuring they are in working order, placed in the correct area and present no hazards to colleagues, patients or visitors.

Assist in the transfer of materials and equipment as requested.

Clean and return equipment utilised in procedures and treatments to the Decontamination Unit or dispose of as appropriate.  Report any broken or faulty equipment in line with departmental procedures.

Assist with the checking and recording of deliveries to the clinical areas against original orders.

Assist with stock minimising the risk of equipment being out of date.

Use IT systems where appropriate and trained to do so, to record patient information.

Recognise and consistently works within boundaries of the role.

Maintain responsibility for own mandatory/role specific training and continuing professional development needs and take part in the annual appraisal process to help identify future development requirements.

Assist in the induction and orientation of new colleagues/learners to the ward or department.

Development and assessment of other Healthcare Assistants/Support Workers as directed by the registered practitioner.

Act as a role model by upholding and implementing good practice for Healthcare Assistants, Trainee Nursing Associates, and other Healthcare Assistants/Support Workers as required.