Job summary
Employer heading
Healthcare Assistant Band 2
NHS AfC: Band 2
Job overview
To assist in the delivery of care planned and assessed by the Registered Nurses, and other registered healthcare professionals.
To carry out that care & other duties under direct supervision.
To promote independence and support rehabilitation activity 24/7
***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
Provide and deliver a high standard of individualised nursing care
- Prioritise workload under the direction of registered nurse.
- Report changes in patients condition to senior staff.
- Support maintenance of fluid balance and dietary charts, recognising, recording and reporting all adverse findings to senior staff.
- Support nutritional needs of patients
- Care of patients skin.
- To promote independence in patients
- Maintain professional development and training
- To promote and safeguard the well being of patients, their families and colleagues.
- Share responsibility in the care and maintenance of all equipment on the ward and stock control.
- Maintain confidentiality in line with Trust policy Data Protection Act,
- Adhere to Trust and Departmental policies and procedures.
- Report untoward incidents, complaints, clinical emergencies to senior staff
- Comply with Health and Safety regulations / Procedures
- Communication with patients, carers, families and colleagues of all disciplines
Working for our organisation
We are a people business – where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We are based in the rural market town of Tavistock on the Western border of Dartmoor National Park. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
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.
- 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 promote independence in patients and work within the Multi-Disciplinary Team towards rehabilitation and discharge from hospital.
- 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
- Demonstrating an awareness of and compliance with Health and Safety regulations / Procedures that apply to staff, patients and visitors within the trust premises, reporting any deficiencies in equipment, furnishings or matters of hygiene.
COMMUNICATIONS & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
§ Patients and their support network
§ Ward Sisters/Charge Nurses and all ward-based nursing staff
§ Modern Matron
§ Educational staff
§ Clinical Nurse Specialists, Nurse Consultants, Nurse Practitioners.
§ Infection Control Team.
§ Consultants in area of responsibility.
§ Housekeeping and domestic staff
§ Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists
§ Social Care Staff
§ Portering staff
§ Bank/Agency Nurses and Healthcare Assistants
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Training and qualifications are provided to enable the HCSW to comply with mandatory HCSW standards where you will obtain either: Vocational Qualification at Level 2 or equivalent relevant experience. Note that if you are new to care, training will be provided to NVQ Level 2 or equivalent.
Desirable criteria
- Level 2 QCF Diploma in Clinical Healthcare support or Level 2 NVQ in Healthcare Health & Social Care Or Level 2 in Health & Social Care (NVQ, QCF, RQF)
- GCSE A*- D in English Language, or equivalent (e.g. Certificate in Adult Literacy at Level 1)
- GCSE A* - D, or equivalent in Mathematics (e.g. Certificate in Adult Numeracy at Level 1)
Aptitude and abilities
Essential criteria
- Effective and appropriate communication skills both written and verbal
- Able to complete appropriate documentation accurately
- Committed to providing high quality patient care
Desirable criteria
- Demonstrate an awareness of healthcare work and policies and procedures.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
- Understands and committed to a caring approach to patients & relatives
- Ability to carry out assigned tasks effectively in a busy environment.
- Be able to work as a member of a team
- Experience of time management and prioritising work
Desirable criteria
- Experience of providing care in a healthcare or social setting
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.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Helen Gregory
- Job title
- Interim Matron
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01752 436112
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