Healthcare Assistant

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our inspiring Oncology Critical care team. We are an 8 bedded combined level 2 and 3 unit that supports both medical, surgical and Hematology patients. We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual with good communication skills, who is keen to help to deliver a high standard of care to patients and their carers. If you enjoy a challenge and can be flexible with your working pattern and approach then we would like to hear from you. Critical care can be a fast paced dynamic environment that requires a diverse multi skilled workforce that is able to adapt quickly to the ever changing needs of critical care patients. Nursing ratios are 1:1 or 1:2.

Main duties of the job

The role requires clinical skills including phlebotomy, ECGs, basic wound care and more. Basic Computer skills are required. We have a critical care practice based educator who can support individual learning and development and you would be part of a team that loves to learn, develop and teach. Applicants should preferably have experience at band 3 but experienced band 2 Healthcare Assistants will be considered if you have prior experience within an acute care setting. Applicants need to poses an apprenticeship Level 2 in Health or NVQ 2 in Health and Social Care.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Clinical:

• Assists with the care of patients by: - Under the delegation of the Registered Nurse undertake care delivery, record the patient interventions carried out utilising the patients nursing records. These records must be countersigned by the Registered Nurse who delegated the duties.

- Demonstrate respect for the individual patient, ensuring religious, cultural and social needs are considered at all times and acknowledge their individual rights. - Where required, assist nursing staff if they are conducting procedures or investigations. - Assisting patients in gaining access to, and in the use of, appropriate toilet facilities including catheter care, measuring and recording body waste/fluid balance accurately. - Ensure patient’s nutritional needs are met by assisting in the preparation of patients prior to meals and beverages, giving help and assistance in feeding/drinking as necessary. Record intake on food charts, where in place. Support nutritional monitoring by weighing patients. - Assist, direct and escort patients/visitors where and when appropriate. - Ensuring a clean and safe environment for patients and escalating any concerns. - Fluid balance monitoring. - Handling patient’s personal possessions, ensuring money and valuables are kept securely. - Providing enhanced therapeutic observation as appropriate. - Carrying out of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation as required.

• Complete all appropriate documentation relevant to care provided and update patient’s named nurse / shift coordinator where required.
• Assist patients in maintaining their personal hygiene, grooming and dressing needs with specific concern for their religious, cultural and personal preference, ensuring privacy and dignity at all times. Undertake oral hygiene procedures for patients as per trust protocol.
• Perform and record patient’s vital signs as directed, reporting findings to Registered Nurse on duty, or in their absence to Medical staff. Perform and record temperature, blood pressure, respiration and pulse, oxygen saturation, modified early warning scores, height & weight, urine testing (including Midstream Specimen, 24Hr urine collection, etc.) as per Trust policy, reporting results to a Registered Nurse.
• Provide a clinical phlebotomy service demonstrating expertise according to Phlebotomy guidelines and ensure that the samples and specimens are forwarded to appropriate laboratory services. Perform venous cannulation. Carry out central venous catheter bloods and central line care as per trust policy. Have a basic understanding of normal and altered blood values and escalate results as appropriate.
• Perform electrocardiograms (ECG) in line with Trust policy and reporting to the Registered Nurse and/or medical staff once completed.
• Assist patients in their mobility requirements, help move and position appropriately to maximise their physical comfort utilising equipment as directed by the multi professional team. Assist in the care of patients’ pressure areas and prevention of pressure sores. Assist patients to improve and maximise their mobility, utilising equipment as directed by the multi professional team.
• Assist in meal service as required in line with Trust hygiene and food handling policy.
• At the delegation of the Registered Nurse transfer the patient/client from one care area to another, i.e. ward environment to discharge lounge/ other ward. Chaperone the patient as required ensuring appropriate support.
• Welcome and orientate patients, visitors and others to the ward/department and ensure that all communications result in effective customer care.
• Assist in the correct procedure of duties relating to last offices for deceased persons. Ensure that all religious and cultural wishes, obligations are adhered with.
• Communicate well within the team at all times. Demonstrate a pleasant and approachable manner and help create and promote a good team working relationship. Proactively help patients and carers to take an active role in care delivery.

Clinical Support:

• Assist the Registered Nurse in the process of undertaking clinical risk assessments e.g. recording height and weight, updating the nurse on any changes to a patient’s condition/circumstances. Responsibility for undertaking the risk assessments lies with the Registered Nurse.
• Appropriately record and monitor dietary intake of patients, informing relevant staff of progress and/or any difficulties relating to dietary/fluid intake.
• Assist in providing conditions to meet the patient’s need for rest and sleep.
• Actively support and assist in alleviating distress and anxiety of patients or carers, consistent with their personal beliefs and preferences.
• Record patient’s items of property, ensuring valuables are correctly placed into safekeeping.
• Prepare trolleys for specific clinical procedures in line with trust policy utilising asceptic non touch technique practices.
• Recognise and report abusive behaviour to an appropriate member of staff, documenting the same.

Environment Support:

• Be responsible for self and others through identifying risks and undertaking work activities in a safe manner.
• Maintain cleanliness in the work environment, ensuring a clean and safe environment for patients, adhering to infection control policies and guidance in line with Trust health and safety policies.
• Prepare and maintain environments for clinical procedures.
• Contribute to the general tidiness and cleanliness of the clinical environment including the correct disposal of waste.
• Assist with the checking of ward linen stock, where required. Contribute to the supply and maintenance of materials and equipment to ensure the efficient running of the clinical environment.
• Assist with the checking and recording of deliveries to the clinical areas against original orders. Ensure stock rotation is undertaken to minimise the risk of equipment becoming out of date.
• Assist in the transfer of materials and equipment as requested, including the maintenance of equipment as appropriate.
• Report faults on the ward as necessary.
• Reports all accidents and complaints according to the agreed policy to shift coordinator or senior staff.
• Contributes to the continuous improvement of services. May be required to demonstrate and assist more junior staff to gain clinical experience, skills and knowledge.
• Undertake all training required to perform duties effectively to the requirements of the post, including but not limited to attending all required mandatory training courses.
• Maintain own professional portfolio in accordance with personal development plans.
• Demonstrates the agreed set of values and accountable for own attitude and behaviour.

Administration:

• Assist in preparing patients notes, relevant charts, nursing documentation and identity bracelets prior to, and on admission.
• Undertake clerical duties as directed by the Registered Nurse in relation to all verbal and written communications, ensuring messages and communications are passed to other team members, storage of patient information and retrieval of such information.

These duties and responsibilities are neither exclusive nor exhaustive and staff may be required to undertake other duties and responsibilities consistent with the band.

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.