Healthcare Support Worker

Job overview

Please note, you will need to provide one of the following criteria:

A Care Certificate issued by an NHS provider organisation (Care Certificate from private is not acceptable

An NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care certificate from a UK college.

We are unable to offer sponsorship for this post.

Job Summary

The Senior HCA /Senior Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW) is part of the multidisciplinary team delivering care to patients. Support and supervision is provided by a Registered Professional.

The Senior HCA / Senior Healthcare Support Worker carries out a range of patient care tasks and duties to enable the team to provide an effective and efficient service within Acute hospital settings.

To achieve this, the Senior HCA/ Senior Healthcare Support Worker will:

Competently perform the necessary aspects of care for patients

Ensure effective delivery of clinical care is provided to patients and that an acceptable standard is maintained.

Follow Trust policies and provide a safe and person-centred environment for the treatment of patients.

Participate in personal and practice development activities to maintain standards of care.

Main duties of the job

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There will be a training programme to ensure that you are supported to deliver confidential high-quality care.

The post holder will work to ensure smooth running of a very busy clinic by;

Ensuring that the clinic is managed efficiently and that any concerns are escalated appropriately.

Supporting the management and processing of results to specific guidelines.

Managing and reporting issues with reference to relevant policies and procedures.

Cleaning and stocking the clinical area ensuring stock levels are maintained.

Ensuring specimens are packed and transported to lab appropriately.

Chaperoning patients during intimate examinations and providing aftercare for those who require it.

Assisting clinicians in tasks and procedures.

Clean, process & decontaminate scopes in line with local protocols & infection control policy.

Taking blood (phlebotomy skills desirable but not essential as training will be provided)

Supporting the delivery of asymptomatic infection screening.

Providing microscopy (skills desirable but not essential as training will be provided

Additional contact information

Michelle Franklin, Matron, michellefranklin@nhs.net for further information or to arrange an informal visit.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Competently perform the necessary aspects of care for patients
• Ensure effective delivery of clinical care is provided to patients and that an acceptable standard is maintained.
• Follow Trust policies and provide a safe and person-centred environment for the treatment of patients.
• Participate in personal and practice development activities to maintain standards of care.

Key Result Areas & Performance

Patient care and clinical duties

• Demonstrates care and compassion to patients, carers and relatives to help ensure high-quality person-centred patient care is delivered at all times.
• To carry out a range of assigned patient care tasks as directed by a Registered Professional to ensure delivery of a high quality of patient care.
• To report observed changes in the patients’ physical/psychological needs to the Registered Professional.
• Performs a range of tests and report results to Registered Professional, e.g. urinalysis, blood pressure, pregnancy testing, patient observations and similar activities.
• Performs a range of patient care tasks e.g. wound observation and dressings, removal of peripheral cannula, stoma bag changing and reports any issues to the Registered Professional.
• To deal with questions and enquiries from patients, carers and relatives e.g. on the clients’ condition or for any suggestions or complaints that they wish to raise. Where appropriate, refer these to a Registered Professional.
• Assists with the safe transfer of all patients.
• Communicates/liaises with members of the multi-disciplinary team to ensure high standards of patient care.

Demonstrates care and compassion to patients, carers and relatives to help ensure high quality person centred patient care is delivered at all times.

• Assist patients with activities of daily living. This will typically include all basic care including the feeding, bathing and repositioning of the patient under the supervision of a trained Professional.
• Provide support to the registered professional and, where appropriate, other members of the Clinical Team as required.
• To co-operate with and maintain good relationships with team colleagues and staff in other disciplines that are attending and treating clients to maximise patient care.
• Maintain good relationships and an empathic approach to the patient’s’ family, relatives and carers and refer them to a trained professional for any questions they may have on the client’s condition or for any suggestions or complaints that they wish to raise.
• Report observed changes in the patient’s physical and psychological needs.

Policies, procedures and standards

• To maintain patient confidentiality at all times and follow information governance policies and procedures.
• To participate in maintaining accurate and up-to-date records, e.g. fluid intake charts to ensure effective communication.
• To follow Trust policies and procedures to ensure maintenance of safe working practices for patients and colleagues.
• To follow ward and unit procedures for the use of supplies and equipment in order to promote the effective and efficient use of resources.

Equipment and resources

Adhere to department procedures for the use of supplies and equipment in order to promote the effective and efficient use of resources.

Share responsibility for key aspects of housekeeping and stock control demonstrating a good awareness of cost efficiency and safety.

Undertakes routine and regular checks on patient trolleys and bed spaces ensuring all relevant equipment is clean, in good working order and in-tact and reports faults to Registered Professional.

Personal development and learning

To participate in personal career development plan to maintain skills and develop personal growth through training and education.

Equipment, Systems and Machinery

The post holder is expected to demonstrate and act on the responsibilities placed upon them under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, to ensure that the agreed safety procedures are carried out to maintain a safe working environment for patients, visitors and employees.

The healthcare support worker will use a range of equipment and resources in their role and some of these are listed below:

• Patient trolleys, beds, moving & handling equipment, patient positioning pressure relieving aids
• Glucometer, Blood Gas Machine, Bloodbank Fridge
• Drip Stands, Peak Flow
• PC/Printer, Phone

The post holder is responsible for inputting information into patient written records where applicable, e.g., Complying with the Data Protection Act, Caldicott Guidelines and local policies regarding confidentiality and access to medical records.

Under supervision by a Registered Professional, the post holder will assist with maintaining accurate patient care documentation. A number of systems are regularly used, including Icare, Rio, Safeguard, etc.

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.