Senior Health Care Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

All the following will be under the supervision of a RN as per recommendations from the Cavendish (2015) and Willis (2015) reports:

1. To support the Clinical Services Team Leader (CSTL) and RNs by providing a confident presence to which individuals can turn for assistance and support and be an advocate for the patients with palliative care needs within the Mary Ann clinical services settings.

2. To support with coordinating the work of all staff and volunteers contributing to undertaking patient care in the community services, so that professional and consistent standards of care are always maintained.

Specifically:

a) To support the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient needs under the direction and supervision of RN, ensuring personalised care is delivered and using evidence-based practice.

b) To ensure that holistic care is provided in accordance with approved policy and procedures and assessed needs.

c) Adopt a team approach to care.

d) To establish priorities and plans of care for individual patients and support those who matter to them i.e., family carers.

3. To develop and ensure good communication with all staff liaising with patients, relatives, carers and all other professionals in Mary Ann and community, ensuring quality and continuity of patient care.

4. To be confident with communication skills enabling important discussions with patients, families and professional colleagues in respect of preferences and wishes relating to palliative and end of life care.

5. To maintain regular communication with Mary Ann departments so that the needs of individual patients and their families are met, ensuring continuity of care.

6. To represent Mary Ann at fundraising, public and professional events to help promote the Mary Ann services as necessary.

7. To be confident and have the appropriate knowledge and skills to deliver online sessions using various mediums including Microsoft Teams and Zoom.

Clinical and Professional Activities

8. Be a competent practitioner demonstrating an evidence-based approach, acting as a resource and advisor to other colleagues, students, patients and carers.

9. Recognise changing patient and carer needs, condition or circumstances and report these to Rapid Response, community nursing colleagues and/or GP, RN or CSTL.

10. To assist in providing holistic care in partnership with the patient/family (and other care providers) for those with palliative and end of life needs

a. Personal care

b. Dressings

c. Transferring/mobilising safely

d. Emotional support

e. Assist with all other aspects of care e.g., assist with nutritional requirements, observe pressure areas.

11. To provide patient support calls to reach the patient earlier their journey, building relationships, educating and gaining trust. Being more proactive than reactive.

12. To participate in patient respite calls.

13.Ensure high standards of documentation and clinical records are always maintained which pay due regard to timeliness of completion, information governance standards and Caldicott principles and have the ability to use electronic record systems e.g., Lorenzo, EMIS. At all times ensure continuity of care through effective handover processes and telephone message processes.

14. To recognise emotional and distressing situations and provide support for self and team by undertaking reflective supervision.

15. To work within local and national guidance in respect of palliative and end of life care and standards set by national authorities i.e., the Care Quality Commission.

16. To contribute to Mary Anns quality and clinical governance processes e.g., audit, risk assessments, reporting and root cause analysis of significant incidents.

17. Work flexibly across the organisation and through all departments and sites as required to support the delivery of Mary Anns care services.

18. Provide and offer bereavement support to carers in collaboration with Family Support and Bereavement Team, promoting enabling support systems for people facing death of a loved one.

19. To liaise professionally with other health care professionals both internally and externally in the provision of patient care.

20. Participate in the recruitment of staff, volunteers and students when necessary.

21. Act as a role model to staff and volunteers.

Managerial Responsibilities

22. To meet monthly with CSTL/Team for exchange of information and discussion.

23. To ensure equipment and environment is safely maintained, participating in maintaining a healthy and safe environment in accordance with organisational health and safety policy and procedures including infection prevention and control.

24. To undertake appraisals of volunteers and others as directed by CSTL.

25. Promote an open and honest culture reflecting a can do attitude.

Education, Personal Development & Training

26. Take every reasonable opportunity for maintaining, developing and acquiring competencies and skills for self-development and personal responsibility for life-long learning, self-development, and reflection.

27. Undertake training to develop additional skills as necessary within Mary Anns competency framework, in relation to specific Mary Ann and / or practice development projects.

28. To participate in induction and training programmes for new staff/students/volunteers/ work experience.

29. To support staff and volunteer development through sharing of knowledge and experience relevant to post including student nurses and medical students.

30. Participate in informal and formal education as required.

31. Contribute to Mary Ann being a research active organisation by participating in research projects/surveys as directed by CSTL.

32. Support the CSTL to develop service provision and undertake specific key worker responsibilities as designated.

Standard Requirements of all MAEH Staff:

1. To be flexible and adapt to the needs of the department and your team.

2. To maintain strict confidentiality and always adhere to data protection policies.

3. To observe and maintain security procedures and to be aware of responsibilities towards Health & Safety, Mary Ann Policies & Procedures and COSHH.

4. Mary Ann operates a strictly no-smoking policy whilst on duty.

5. Exercise responsible stewardship of Mary Anns resources always.

6. Attendance at meetings, events and activities may require the post holder to work beyond the normal hours/days of work on occasions flexibility is essential.

7. To have an understanding and demonstrate regard for Mary Anns values, vision, mission and strategic aims.

8. Travel in the Warwickshire area, and on occasions within the UK, to fulfil role and attend/participate in training and personal development opportunities, using own vehicle or public transport, for which expenses will be met in line with policies.

9. To maintain an effective and collaborative working relationship with other members of staff and volunteers.

10. To participate in an annual performance appraisal, where the job description will be reviewed and objectives agreed.

11. Take responsibility for ensuring the timely completion and/or attendance for all statutory and mandatory training requirements relevant to role as outlined by Mary Ann Policy.

12. To participate in surveys and audits as required by the service in relation to your role.

13. Conform to conventional standards of professional uniform and business dress when representing Mary Ann.

14. To accept temporary redeployment within any part of the Mary Ann should the need arise ensuring Mary Ann goals and objectives are met.

Person Specification

Other Job Requirements

Essential

• Wear uniform when in clinical practice
• Dress in a manner that conforms to accepted formal code of business dress.
• Hold a current clean driving licence and daily access to a vehicle to enable travel as required.
• Flexible approach to work including weekend working where necessary.
• Ability to work in non-smoking environment
• Ambassador for the organisation

Qualifications

Essential

• Level 3 Diploma/NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care for adults or equivalent.
• Maths and English/GCSE Level 4 or equivalent.

Desirable

• Level 3 Diploma or equivalent certificate in palliative/end of life care
• Level 2 or 3 Diploma/NVQ Level 2 or 3 in awareness of dementia

Aptitudes & Attributes

Essential

• A personal approach and caring nature
• Self-motivated and have initiative.
• Have an excellent telephone manner.
• Resourceful and creative
• Ability to relate to the multi-disciplinary team in Mary Ann and with key partner provider colleagues.
• Willing to participate in lifelong learning ethos.
• A high level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to prioritise tasks, appropriately delegate and manage time effectively.

Desirable

• Able to recognise coping strengths for themselves and others

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Fundamental care skills and specifically in palliative and end of life care
• Communication Skills relevant to palliative/end of life care
• Excellent planning and organising skills.
• Adapting to and managing change
• Understanding of current issues and initiatives relating to palliative care
• IT skills ability to use computer, email, smart phone etc.
• Excellent interpersonal skills communication with patients, health and social care professionals and the wider multi-professional team encompassing verbal and written skills including:
• oMotivation of staff
• oTeam building
• oDecision making
• oConflict management
• oProblem Solving
• Excellent skills in writing and maintaining plans of care.
• Must be able to demonstrate an understanding of the need for confidentiality in all aspects of the work environment

Desirable

• Evidence of effective teaching and mentoring
• Able to write succinct and informative report.
• Conversant with CQC regulations and implications on safe, effective, caring, responsive, well-led services.

Experience

Essential

• A minimum of 1 years care experience with palliative/end of life patients (any setting)
• Able to work autonomously and as part of team.
• Evidence of excellent communication skills
• Experience of supervising/supporting team members

Desirable

• Experience of CQC compliance and evidencing regulations in practice

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Mary Ann Evans Hospice

Address

Eliot Way

Nuneaton

Warwickshire

CV10 7QL

Employer's website

https://www.maryannevans.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)