Support Worker

Job description

Job responsibilities

TITLE OF POST: Support Worker (level 1)

LOCATION: You will be employed at the hospice at North Anston but will be required to work at alternative community locations to meet the need of your duties.

RESPONSIBLE TO: Team Leader

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Head of Care

JOB PURPOSE: To provide and ensure a high standard of holistic care to children and young people with life limiting/life threatening conditions. To create and provide opportunities for children and young people to experience play, social interaction and learning. To help support the transition of young adults, 14-25 years of age.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

To act as an advocate for children/young people and their families, maintaining professional boundaries.

To implement, in conjunction with parents/carers, a plan of care to meet the identified needs of the child/young person.

To provide emotional and psychological support to the child/young person and their family adjusting to illness, disability, end of life issues and bereavement.

Assist in maintaining and developing high standard of patient care, by awareness of individual needs, following defined nursing care plans and working within related policies and procedures.

To deliver complex technical interventions to support those with complex health needs i.e.: tracheostomy and ventilators, gastrostomy, jejunostomy and suctioning.

To support the delivery of palliative and end of life care both in the hospice and at home.

To support opportunities for children and young people building memories and experiences.

To maintain and improve your own professional competence by keeping abreast of clinical developments, and by attending in-house and external training sessions.

With appropriate qualifications and training to safely administer medicines to children and young people via a range of different routes in line with the Bluebell Wood Medicines Management Policy

To keep clear, accurate and contemporaneous records, reporting where needed any deterioration, concerns or incidents.

Provide nursing care and support to young people under the direction and supervision of the senior nurse/ clinical team.

Ensure daily housekeeping in line with service needs.

Contribute towards effective communication, by reporting to nurse in charge any information given by patient/relative, incident or observation which may affect patients physical/mental well-being.

Understand the importance of, and maintain, the need for confidentiality in all patient matters.

Work as an assistant in therapeutic activities, group work and life skills with the support and guidance of senior staff.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Work can involve exposure to children/young people with infections, infected linen and bodily fluids, protective aprons and gloves are provided.

Work involves exposure to hazardous substances including chemicals, medical gases and medications.

There is frequent contact with distressed children/young people, carers and relatives who require a high level of support.

The role will involve working shifts in house & being part of a service that provides 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. As a result of this, the job may involve working unsociable hours, including bank holidays, night hours and weekends.

GOVERNANCE:

Ensure a consistent approach to all aspects of care delivery by following guidelines. policies and prescribed care.

Report all incidents/accidents and near misses in line with reporting procedures to facilitate change and improvements.

Maintain confidentiality of children, families, and staff at all times

PERSONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Develop and maintain palliative care knowledge and skills across a range of procedures and practices.

To actively participate in own regular appraisal process and be responsible for own professional development, including identification of own individual needs and professional development needs, and plan to achieve these

Actively participate in a research and evidence-based culture

Develop and maintain an awareness of evidence-based practice and current developments in childrens palliative care and the implications these may have for the delivery of care

Maintain professional development by keeping up to date with current research and developments within the field of palliative care and in accordance with continuing professional development requirements

Comply with the Bluebell Wood - Code of Conduct for Support Workers

Maintain a high standard of conduct and physical appearance to retain public confidence.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

Attend staff development programmes, including all mandatory training and eLearning as required

Take an active role in the staff appraisal scheme as an appraisee and to be responsible for setting and agreeing a personal development plan with your line manager

Ensure personal and professional development through reflective practice and peer supervision

SAFEGUARDING

Compliance with hospice and Local Safeguarding Childrens Board policies, procedures, and practice

To follow hospice policy regarding the management of safeguarding concerns

Communicating and escalating concerns over a child in need of protection or a child in need of support to safeguarding lead, child protection teams or other statutory partners or agencies

EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY

Promote equality, diversity, and rights of all, including children, young people and their families, and staff

Actively promote the consultation of children, young people and families and encouraging their involvement and participation in decision-making

Ensure a consistent approach to all aspects of care delivery by following guidelines. policies and prescribed care, recommending changes to advance practice.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

Ensure that your professional conduct within and outside of the hospice does not conflict with professional expectations

Maintain and always promote confidentiality and ensure the data protection framework is met

Maintain standards to reduce the risk of Health care associated infections

Lead and guide staff, providing the support needed to maintain morale and enable them to work effectively

GENERAL

All Bluebell Wood employees are required to:

Abide by the Health & Safety at Work Act

Adhere to policy and procedures around safeguarding children and young adults

Respect confidentiality applying to all Hospice areas

Respect and work effectively with volunteers

Work within Hospice policies and procedures

Comply with the Hospice no smoking policy

Participate in and contribute to team meetings

Co-operate and liaise with colleagues

Behave in a professional manner at all times, reflecting and maintaining the values and ethos of Bluebell Wood

All Bluebell Wood employees are expected to:

Demonstrate a commitment to their own development, to take advantage of education and training opportunities and develop their own competence.

Support and encourage harmonious internal and external working relationships.

Make a positive contribution to fundraising and raising the profile of the Hospice.

This Job Description is not exhaustive. It will be subject to periodic review and may be amended following discussion between the post-holder and employer.

Person Specification

Skills / Knowledge

Essential

• Ability to communicate clearly in writing and orally with staff, volunteers and external contacts
• Ability to prioritise own workload and use initiative
• Cheerful and positive outlook and attitude
• A good negotiator and communicator
• Sensitive to the needs of others

Desirable

• Understand different care scenarios and environments
• Awareness of emotional and ethical dilemmas faced in palliative and end of life care
• Knowledge of reflective practice and clinical supervision

Other

Essential

• Legally entitled to work in this country

Desirable

• Full driving licence and willing to drive company vehicles

Qualifications

Essential

• Qualification/experience in health and social care

Desirable

• Functional skills English and maths level 2 or GCSE English and maths grades A*/9 C/4.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with babies and young children
• Experience of working with wider multidisciplinary team/others.

Desirable

• Experience of working with children and young people with complex health needs and/or disabilities in Hospitals, Special Schools, Respite centres or Social Services
• Experience of Palliative Care

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

Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice

Address

Cramfit Road

North Anston

Sheffield

S25 4AJ

Employer's website

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