Senior Health Care Support Worker (SHCSW)

Job overview

Tavistock Hospital is located approximately 14 miles from Plymouth city centre, in a beautiful rural town setting outside the city. While there are bus links between Tavistock and Plymouth, services may be more limited compared to those within urban areas. Tavistock itself is a historic market town and civil parish in the West Devon district of Devon, England, and an ancient stannary town situated on the River Tavy.

To assist in the delivery of patient-centred, compassionate care planned and assessed by the Registered Nurses, and other registered healthcare professionals. To carry out that care & other duties under direct supervision.

To work as part of the nursing and multidisciplinary team to deliver patient care and rehabilitation.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Main duties of the job

• Obtain consent prior to giving care in accordance with Trust policies.
• Competently undertake delegated duties in line with patient care plans.
• Ability to use your knowledge and experience to undertake non-routine duties and an understanding to take decisions within your area of responsibility.
• To carry out a range of (limited) clinical duties with minimal / no supervision, including for example, blood pressure monitoring, oxygen saturation levels, body temperature, pulse rate and respiration rate, glucose monitoring, collection and testing of urine samples / faecal samples / sputum samples and wound swabs ensuring delivery of high-quality patient care at all times. NB: this list is not exhaustive and will vary depending on area of work.
• Participate in patient assessment providing high quality holistic patient care and escalating concerns about patients to other clinical staff.
• Practice safe standards of care to patients following Trust guidelines and policies and be able to concentrate for periods throughout the day with occasional interruptions.
• Provide clinical care in accordance with the infection prevention and health and safety policies and procedures.
• Maintain the work environment in line with Trust infection control and patient safety policies.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Provide and deliver a high standard of nursing, care (i.e. washing, mouthcare, toileting, manual handling and mobility), recognising and meeting the specific needs of patients.
• Prioritise own tasks under the direction of registered nurse.
• To carry out clinical observations on patients, recognising, recording and reporting all changes in patients condition to senior staff.
• To support maintenance of fluid balance and dietary charts, recognising, recording and reporting all adverse findings to senior staff.
• Undertake the escort of patients to appointments on other sites under the direction of the registered nurse (when deemed competent).
• To support nutritional needs of patients by assisting with feeding and drinking, reporting on concerns about dietary intake to senior staff.
• An awareness of skin integrity over pressure points, recognising and reporting all adverse findings to senior staff.
• To recognise the importance of health education and teaching of patients and carers, and refer patients to senior staff.
• Document and sign for all observations and care given with counter signature from a registered practitioner.
• To maintain his/her own professional development, attending courses/further training to enhance and optimise his/her role within the work area.
• To promote and safeguard the well-being of patients, their families and colleagues.
• To share responsibility in the care and maintenance of all equipment on the ward and stock control.
• To respect the confidential information, in line with Trust policy Data Protection Act, obtained in the course of work and not disclose this information.
• To be familiar with and adhere to Trust and Departmental policies and procedures mindful of responsibilities to self, colleagues and patients.
• Report untoward incidents, complaints, clinical emergencies to senior staff