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Job summary

Main area
Ophthalomology
Grade
Band 3
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
203-EL834
Employer
South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
warwick/stratford
Town
Warwick
Salary
£24,071 - £25,674 Per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
26/11/2024 23:59

Employer heading

South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust logo

Clinical Support Worker - Ophthalmology

Band 3

South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust is one of the top performing organisations within the NHS. Our staff think this is a great place to work and we hope you will agree. We have recently been rated as 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following our most recent inspection.

We provide services across Warwickshire and beyond ranging from Hospitals in Warwick, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Royal Leamington Spa and Shipston-on Stour to Community Services across the whole county. This includes our Community Teams in North Warwickshire.

We are a progressive, expanding organisation with great ambition around improving quality, integrating pathways and delivering high levels of productivity. Over 6000 people work for the Trust and many of them have been here a long time. People find they don’t need to go elsewhere to find a fulfilling career in healthcare. 

The first thing you will notice about us is how we take our values seriously. We believe that our values underpin everything we do. If you are interested in a role with us you need to make sure our values match your own.

Our values can be summed up in one sentence. We are ‘Trusted to provide inclusive, safe, effective and compassionate care’. Throughout the recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you demonstrate these values and how they impact on your work. It doesn’t matter what role you do, whether it is patient facing or not, we are all working in the same way with our values at the core.

Probationary Period

All new staff to the Trust will be subject to a standard 6 month probationary period, the details of which will duly follow in your contract of employment.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust is committed to creating and sustaining a positive and inclusive working environment for all our employees. Our aim is to ensure that employees are equally valued and respected and that our organisation is representative of all members of society. We define diversity as valuing everyone as an individual – we value our employees, job applicants, students, patients and visitors as people. This is reflected within our values of being Inclusive, Safe, Effective, Compassionate and Trusted.

Agile and Flexible Working

All our staff will have a work base. However the Trust operates as an Agile Working Team therefore staff may be working from home on a regular basis as required by the service. However, occasionally travel around Warwickshire and into your base will be required so access to your own transport would be helpful.

The Trust also welcome staff to work flexibly and we would welcome the conversation at interview regarding flexible working.

Staff Benefits

The Trust offer a wide range of additional benefits to staff. Anyone who joins us on a substantive basis can assess things such as the Lease Car Scheme, Electronics Scheme, Discounted Leisure and Travel, Cycle to work scheme amongst many others available. 

Car Parking

The Trust have recently completed the construction of a multi-storey car park at our Warwick Hospital site which has allowed us to reduce waiting times for car parking passes. 

To keep up to date on our latest recruitment activity follow us on twitter @swftrecruit or look us up on Facebook (Recruitment - South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust).


Job overview

We have an opportunity for Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW) to join our friendly Ophthalmology Outpatient Team

You will work with a team of doctors, nurses, specialist teams and other Healthcare Support Workers to care for Ophthalmology patients.

It is essential that you are able to work well as a member of a multidisciplinary team and possess good verbal and written communication skills.

You will gain the opportunity to learn and develop Band 3 skills on a daily basis to assist the team in providing excellent patient care.

The unit is open Monday-Friday including some evenings.

A working knowledge of Ophthalmology would be an advantage but not essential.

The successful candidate is required to be able to demonstrate the Trust values, the responsibilities of the job description and person specification.

Our vision is to provide safe, high quality seamless services delivered with courtesy and respect.

Main duties of the job

The Band 3 Clinical Support Worker will undertake high quality, caring and compassionate personal care and associated duties under the direction but not direct supervision of the registered staff and working as part of the multi-disciplinary team.

As a Band 3 Clinical Support Worker (CSW) you make a valuable and important contribution to the delivery of high quality healthcare, supporting the registered professional in the delivery of safe, effective, compassionate patient care. This job description is to be read in conjunction with the person specification for this particular job.

Working for our organisation

Come and join a Trust rated Outstanding by the CQC. South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust have been rated as outstanding following our latest inspection by the CQC and we are recruiting new staff to come and help us improve even further. In addition our staff survey results have placed us 4th in the country for recommended place to work.

We provide services across Warwickshire and beyond ranging from Hospitals in Warwick, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Royal Leamington Spa and Shipston-on Stour to Community Services across the county. We are a progressive, expanding organisation with great ambition around improving quality, integrating pathways and delivering high levels of productivity.

Our values can be summed up in one sentence. We are ‘Trusted to provide safe, inclusive, effective and compassionate care’. Throughout the recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you demonstrate these values and how they impact on your work. It doesn’t matter what role you do, whether it is patient facing or not, we are all working in the same way with our values at the core.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

 Key Result Areas:

Professional Values

To act in a professional manner and ensure Trust standards are maintained and monitored to improve the quality of care to all who come into contact with the services provided by South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust

Uphold the Trust values and standards at all times. 

Ensure records and documentation are maintained, kept confidential and meets Trust standards in line with the Data Protection Act

Demonstrates a positive and enthusiastic approach to their work in order to maintain high morale and motivation within the team. Promoting a professional and positive working environment

To report any accidents or incidents as described by the Trust’s policy and procedures ensuring an open and transparent culture.

To take reasonable care of the health and safety of themselves and of other persons

To adhere to the Trust’s dress code policy, maintaining a smart appearance at all times

To assist other wards, departments and teams within the Trust as and when required by service needs

To adhere to the Trust’s IT policies regarding e-mail and internet usage 

To ensure children and adults are protected from abuse and avoidable harm and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with Trust policies and procedures. 

Clinical Practice

To accurately and promptly carry out the instructions of the registered professional who is professionally accountable for the delivery of care.   

To assist in the supervision of other healthcare and support staff as directed. 

To carry out duties as specified within the Trust’s approved core task list for Clinical Support Workers/Healthcare Assistant without direct supervision. 

To report to the registered professional any patient who gives cause for concern or any observed changes in the client or patient’s condition. 

Provide and deliver a high standard of individualised care under the direction but not direct supervision of the registered professional. 

To report all care that has been given to patients within the team to a registered professional  

To accurately document all care delivered to patients, countersigned by a registered professional, maintaining confidentiality at all times.   

To assist in the preparation of patients for treatment, investigations or procedures as directed by the registered professional.  

To keep the clinical area clean and tidy, maintaining a safe environment. 

To adhere to Trust infection control procedures, demonstrating an understanding of cross infection 

To chaperone or escort patients as needed under the direction of the registered professional. 

To support relatives demonstrating compassion and empathy under the guidance of a registered professional. 

To assist with the discharge process for patients as directed by the registered professional.

Communications and Interpersonal Relationships

Welcome patients, relatives and visitors to the clinical area, providing assistance, support and information where required. Being aware of barriers to effective communication and the means to overcome them.

Always introduce yourself in line with the Trusts privacy and dignity promises and the principles of good customer service. 

To answer the telephone when necessary in a polite, courteous manner and pass on enquiries to the registered professional.

Communicate effectively within the multi-disciplinary team and other departments to ensure that patient care is well planned and coordinated.

Contribute to the reporting, handover and documentation of patient care as delegated by a registered professional maintaining confidentiality at all times.

Report incidents, accidents and complaints as per Trust Policy and to the senior professional on duty, ensuring an open and transparent culture. 

Use the Trust information support system and other computer systems as required by the clinical area.

Team Working

Take all reasonable steps to ensure the safe keeping of patient’s property in accordance with Trust policy.

Promote a professional, welcoming and uncluttered environment; keep all storage areas safe, clean and tidy 

To share responsibility in the care and maintenance of all equipment in the clinical area including all equipment cleaning. 

Ensure all waste and soiled linen is disposed of in line with Trust policy 

Participate in audit under the direction of the registered professional 

Clean and check of beds, bed spaces and lockers in the patient area following discharge and in preparation for admission (inpatient areas only).

Ensure deliveries are stored correctly and stock maintained to the required level. 

Support the house keeper with general house keeping duties, reporting as necessary essential cleaning needs (inpatient areas only). 

Education, Training and Personal Development

To ensure attendance at mandatory training sessions, i.e. infection control, resuscitation and manual handling training.

To complete the Trust’s Clinical Support Worker/Healthcare Assistant Induction programme.

To participate in appraisals and personal reviews and work to achieve agreed set objectives.

To undertake training as necessary for the development of the post and the relevance of the department including IT and clinical skills. 

To continue personal development in relation to identified objectives.

Maintain up to date knowledge of changes in policies and procedures relevant to the post.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Obtained an educational level of GCSE level A – C English and Maths or equivalent
  • Minimum NVQ/Diploma Level 2, willing to work to Level 3 or equivalent higher apprenticeship in healthcare
Desirable criteria
  • NVQ /Diploma level 3 or equivalent higher apprenticeship in healthcare

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience in delivering care in a healthcare or people centred environment
  • Experience working as part of a team

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Evidence of competence in care skills
  • Able to delegate work appropriately
  • Good written, verbal and non-verbal communication skills
  • Competent IT skills
  • Able to present information, written and orally in an accurate clear and logical manner
  • Ability to organise and prioritise workload
  • Ability to write accurate and legibly in patient notes
Desirable criteria
  • Evidence of competence in relevant specialist skills / tasks

Personal Qualities

Essential criteria
  • Able to work as part of a team
  • Compassionate and caring nature
  • Empathetic
  • Reliable

Other Job Requirements

Essential criteria
  • Passes pre employment checks
  • Able to work flexibly over a 24 hour period
  • Able to carry out moderate to intense physical effort throughout the working day and carry out concurrent activities
  • Able, with appropriate support, to work in an emotionally demanding environment

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveDisability confident leaderInvestors in People: GoldImproving working livesMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Care quality commission - OutstandingStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Step into healthArmed Forces Covenant

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

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Harvinder Khera
Job title
Ophthalmology Clinical Nurse
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07808239362
Additional information
Machen Eye Unit, Warwick Hospital, Lakin Road, Warwick, CV34 5BW  (ext 4328)
Stratford Hospital, Arden Street, Stratford upon Avon, CV37 6NX (ext 5808)
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