Healthcare Support Worker - Band 3

Job overview

All applicants are required to pass BKSB (Maths and English Functional Skills) test. Successful applicants will proceed to the next stage of the interview . The interview and BKSB assessment will take place on the same day

The Senior Health Care Support Worker is responsible for the delivery of holistic, patient- centred care which is planned and directed by health care professionals. This will include a range of core clinical skills and depending on the area worked will include specific patient or speciality clinical skills.

The post holder is responsible for delivering high standards of care and providing services in accordance with the Trusts values and behaviours to support the nursing team in the delivery of patient care which is safety and effective.

The post holder is a fundamental part of the nursing team in providing care to patients/ carers/ relatives at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital NHS Trust, including the safe delivery of a range of clinical competency skills. The post holder is expected to cover the duties of colleagues in posts of the same banding or lower within the range of the postholders knowledge and skills.

Main duties of the job

Healthcare Assistants are a vital part of the team that supports the staff and patients in wards and departments throughout the hospital. Working under the direction of qualified nursing/ midwifery staff, healthcare assistants carry out a wide range of duties to care for, support, and provide information to patients and their families and the role can be very varied depending upon the area in which the person is employed. They also carry out a range of housekeeping duties, as well as performing basic medical checks, such as taking a patient’s temperature, pulse and respiration rate.

The attitude and behaviour of a healthcare assistant is of far more importance than any formal qualifications. Suitable candidates for the role are friendly, caring and sensitive individuals, who are able to offer social stimulation as well as care to the patients they tend.

They will also demonstrate the Trust values – Kindness, Respect, Safety and Excellence – in all aspects of their role.

The post holder will aim to ensure that all patients are provided with a safe and high quality standard of care.

Understanding your role

• Working under the direction of a Registered Nurse (RN), Midwife or Nursing Associate (RNA), participate fully in the delivery of planned nursing care, within the boundaries of your role which may include chaperoning of patients, escorting/ transferring of patients and providing 1-1 patient centred care or caring for a group of patients that require enhanced care.
• Demonstrates own duties to new starters and supervises work of students, undertaking a buddying role for new Health Care Support Workers
• Frequent exposure to emotional/distressing events, e.g., breaking of bad news.
• Assist in the care of patients at end of life and after death.
• Orders supplies under the direction of the nurse in charge.
• Participate in patient and public involvement activities.
• Participate in general cleanliness and tidiness of ward environment.
• Undertake mandatory training and role specific training relevant to role.
• Record and escalate patient physiological observations.
• Demonstrate an understanding of sepsis and when to escalate to a Registered Nurse, Midwife or Medical staff
• Acts on own initiative when delivering patient care with supervision accessible.

Undertakes a range of core clinical skills which include:

• Venepuncture & Cannulation
• Patient observations including blood pressure, oxygen saturations, heart rate, respirations, temperature, pain score, NEWS score & escalation
• Peripheral Cannula removal
• Swabbing to include MRSA, FLU, COVID
• Obtain samples including urine dip, from a catheter, MSU and faeces, sputum
• Blood glucose and ketone testing
• ECG recording
• Observe wounds and change simple dressings using asceptic/non touch technique
• Bladder scan
• Skin assessment
• Urinary catheter insertion and removal
• Urinalysis and pregnancy testing
• Bone density scans in out-patient setting
• Neonatal observations
• Undertaking quality assurance checks of machines used for point of care testing

Person centred care

• Exchange factual information with patients using a variety of methods to help patients understanding, supporting RNs and RNAs in providing health promotion/education.
• Undertake personal care duties e.g., bathing, washing, mouth care, toileting, catheter care, dressing, support with meals and assisting patients with their personal hygiene appearance.
• Repositioning patients and supporting patients during mobilisation.
• Act as patient advocate at all times.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain a professional appearance in line with the Trust professional appearance policy and infection control policy.
• Uphold the Trust’s values and behaviours and behave in a manner fitting with the responsibility this brings to maintain the public confidence.
• Maintain professional and courteous working relationships with staff, patients and families, and respect the equality and diversity of each and every person they come into contact with.
• Uphold the privacy, dignity and confidentiality of the client group and respect equality and diversity of everyone at all times.
• Work collaboratively with others in the care setting to ensure that patients’ needs are met.
• Use social media as per Trust policy and procedures.
• Read and follow the Skills for Health Code of Conduct for Health Care Support Workers and always maintain the confidentiality of patient information.
• As part of your employment with the Trust, you are bound by the policies and procedures within the organisation and the wider NHS.
• Cover the duties of colleagues in posts of the same band or lower and within the range of the postholder’s knowledge and skills ensuring patients are at the centre of every decision.
• The core clinical skills competencies should be completed within 12 months of starting within the role as a Senior Health Care Support Worker.

Communication

• Involve patients and carers/relatives in delivery of patient care and provide assurance and support when required.
• Identify concerns regarding the patients’ health, safety and wellbeing while undertaking personal care and discuss with the nurse in charge.
• Assisting in gathering family & friends test feedback

Handling information

• Participate in the maintenance of accurate records of care both written and verbal.
• Accurately record height, weight age, fluid, nutrition intake and output, bowel movements, physical observations, patient repositioning, patient property and completing behavioural charts for patients with challenging behaviour.
• (This list is not an exhaustive list and other documentation may be expected as part of the role). This may be written documentation or entry within electronic systems.

Developing yourself

• Develop own skills and knowledge and contribute to the development of others.
• To undertake in-service training relevant to the post.
• Attend mandatory ‘in-service’ training programmes.
• Maintain up to date skills and knowledge.

Duty of care

• Report to Manager/Nurse in charge all untoward occurrences, comments and complaints from patients and visitors.
• To report any accident, untoward incident or loss relating to staff, patients or visitors according to Trust policies.
• Report any incidents, complaints, or accidents to the Nurse in Charge.
• Ensure the effective and efficient use of resources.

Safeguarding

Support the safeguarding of individuals within your care.

Infection prevention and control

Follow the Policy for Infection, prevention, and Control.

Equality and diversity

Support people’s equality, diversity, and rights.

Personal Responsibilities

• Maintain a professional working relationship will all members of the multi- disciplinary team.
• Participate in audits, surveys, research, and development activities as required.

Resource and Financial

• The post holder will ensure the proper use of the Trust’s resources such as stationery, telephone usage, photocopying and other consumables, ensuring minimal waste and minimal cost supporting the Trust’s sustainability plan.

Organisational Responsibilities

• The post holder will be required to undertake training events at any site across the Trust.
• The post holder may be required to work on other wards/ department within the Trust at short notice to cover unplanned sickness or to cover planned sickness or annual leave on other wards/departments.

Health and Safety

• Work in accordance with Health and Safety regulations at all time
• Report any incidents of breaches of Health and Safety and report any dangerous acts or omissions that are seen in the course of duty that compromise the Health and Safety of staff or patients using the Trust Health and Safety policy.
• Comply with audit recommendations and risk assessment recommendations to make the workplace and work practice safer.
• Assist when required to do so, in any risk assessment activity undertaken.
• Recognise and respond appropriately to urgent and emergency situations.
• Maintain health, safety, security and report any concerns regarding patient care.
• Instigate emergency procedures as required.
• Take reasonable care with regard to themselves as well as for any colleagues, patients or visitors who might be affected by any act or failure to act by the post-holder in accordance with the Trust’s policies on Health and Safety at Work.

Key working relationships

• Ward Manager & Matron
• Registered Nurses & Nursing Associates
• Health Care Support Workers
• Therapists
• Specialist Nurses
• Medical Staff
• Domestic, Catering, Portering, Linen & Security Staff

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.