IV Resource Team Health Care Assistant

Job overview

The post holder will work in the Intravenous Resource (IV) Team, as part of the Infection Prevention Team.

The majority of their time will be spent in the clinical areas assisting qualified members of the team in sterile vascular access device insertions. They will undertake line care and maintenance of vascular access devices and undertake the insertion of peripheral intravenous cannulae where appropriate.

They will also be involved in supporting the ongoing function of an Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic service for patients across the whole Trust.

The role will also include participating with audit data collection and entry into electronic data bases to support the work of the Team, but also may be called on occasion to support other Infection Prevention projects.

To keep the clinical environment tidy and well maintained.

To provide support to the nursing team which will contribute positively to the continuing development of the service.

The post-holder will be required to train new starters and less experienced staff in own discipline as instructed by a registered nurse. The role will involve working outside of office hours, including weekends.

Main duties of the job

To assist registered nurses with IV related care of patients to include line insertion, contribute to the daily maintenance and care of long intravenous lines across the Trust.  To support the discharge of patients into the community whilst receiving iv antibiotics by assisting with the assessment for suitability and the organisation of the appropriate referral documentation.  Participate in the maintenance of databases as relevant tot he IV Team.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1. To assist registered nurses with IV related care of patients, working regularly without direct supervision, ensuring that set standards of care are maintained for all patients.

2. To follow Trust policies and procedures relating to IV therapy, and provide advice on the basis of these documents.

3. To undertake simple device insertion site dressings utilising appropriate aseptic techniques as instructed by the registered nurse following appropriate training and assessment.

4. To identify when patients treatments do not comply with set treatment algorithms, and inform qualified nurses within the team if clinically significant issues are identified.

5. To undertake venepuncture as requested by qualified/medical staff (hand and antecubital fossa only) following appropriate training and assessment relevant to the service.

6. To work as part of a team ensuring maintenance of IV related surveillance systems

7. To liaise with primary care practitioners regarding patients with suspected IV device related infections.

8. To ensure that appropriate moving and handling techniques and equipment are used when manual handling.

9. To feedback information gathered from patient interaction, plus care given, to registered nurse entering relevant information into the care records as necessary.

10. To assist in health education or information giving as indicated by the registered nurse.

11. To liaise with patients, members of the public and other colleagues of all disciplines in an efficient and courteous manner face to face, in writing, via the telephone and through the use of e-mail, and take messages as required.

12. To take specimens to laboratories as required.

13. On occasion to escort patients to other departments within the hospital as requested by the department lead nurse.

14. To ensure all areas are kept clean, tidy and appropriately stocked, including storage areas and medical equipment.

15. To comply with Health and Safety Regulations and to report accidents/untoward incidents/hazards and unsafe equipment to the nurse in charge of the ward/department immediately, utilising the incident reporting system.

16. To attend mandatory training and such courses/lectures/in-service training, as indicated by the needs of the service and own personal development as identified at appraisal and within personal development plan.

17. To be familiar with, and comply with, all appropriate Trust policies and procedures.

18. To undertake any other duties as may be required to meet with the needs of the service within the limitations of the grade for the post.

19. Within the scope of the role to work according to national guidance on cleanliness and to comply with the Trusts Infection Control Policy 20.

At all times to maintain professional images e.g. Comply with the Trusts Uniform Policy.