Senior Health Care Support Worker (SHCSW)

Job overview

To assist in the delivery of patient-centred, compassionate care planned and assessed by the Registered Nurses, and other registered healthcare professionals. To work under direct supervision of the Registered Health Care Professional.

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

1. Obtain consent prior to giving care in accordance with Trust policies.

2. Competently undertake delegated duties in line with patient care plans.

3. Ability to use your knowledge and experience to undertake non-routine duties and an understanding to take decisions within your area of responsibility.

4. 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.

5. Participate in patient assessment providing high quality holistic patient care and escalating concerns about patients to other clinical staff.

6. 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.

7. Provide clinical care in accordance with the infection prevention and health and safety policies and procedures.

8. Work within the Trust  guidelines for infection control and patient safety policies.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• 1.      Obtain consent prior to giving care in accordance with Trust policies. 2.      Competently undertake delegated duties in line with patient care plans. 3.      Ability to use your knowledge and experience to undertake non-routine duties and an understanding to take decisions within your area of responsibility. 4.      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. 5.      Participate in patient assessment providing high quality holistic patient care and escalating concerns about patients to other clinical staff. 6.      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. 7.      Provide clinical care in accordance with the infection prevention and health and safety policies and procedures. 8.      Maintain the work environment in line with Trust infection control and patient safety policies. 9.      Utilising skills to actively facilitate self-care and independence with patients. 10.   Promote health education specific to the clinical area and in line with national and local policies. 11.   maintain effective record keeping and communication with patients, relatives, and members of the Multidisciplinary team regarding all aspects of care demonstrating a range of appropriate communication skills, where there may be barriers to understanding. 12.   Ensuring equipment and stores are well maintained, taking appropriate action if the equipment is faulty.  This may include ordering supplies. 13.   Work effectively as part of a team. 14.   The SHCSW is responsible for inputting information into the electronic patient record where applicable and also into patients written records.  Comply with all relevant legislation and local policies regarding confidentiality and access to medical records.