Healthcare Assistant

Job responsibilities

PATIENT CARE

Assisting members of the nursing team in providing the highest standard of physical, social and spiritual care for patients, their relatives and friends.To undertake delegated tasks and activities (within agreed protocols).To accurately record information within agreed guidelines and pass it to the relevant people in the team in a timely manner.To recognise changes in the patients needs and report these to a qualified nurse.To support families/ carers, making certain that all information is shared with the nursing team in order to promote holistic care.To ensure that all care/ support given is reported and documented, at the earliest opportunity, within the agreed systems.To obtain consent from patient/ carer before commencing any care related task.To respect the individuals privacy, dignity and beliefs.To work within well established procedures and/or practices with supervision close by.

POLICY AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT

To have an understanding of the philosophy and ethos behind the care provided at Bury Hospice and to abide by Bury Hospice policies and procedures.

To contribute to service development.

To contribute to fundraising activities.

To attend and participate in Team Meetings.

COMMUNICATION

To communicate with people clearly in a manner and at a level and pace appropriate to their abilities, preferences and beliefs, treating everybody equitably and with respect.

To actively participate in daily unit handover.

To actively listen and respond, to ensure accurate information is recorded and reported.

To maintain confidentiality of information consistent with legislation and Bury Hospice policy.

To maintain a professional approach when representing the Hospice or when identified as an employee.

PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

To participate in an annual appraisal and, with the help of others, formulate a Personal Development Plan (PDP) that reflects individual and team aims.

To take responsibility for own continued learning, development and performance and maintain own Personal Development and competency Portfolio.

To attend/complete mandatory training and other study sessions/ training as identified on an on-going basis and from appraisal.

To demonstrate commitment to continuing professional development by increasing theoretical knowledge through further study.

To evaluate study sessions and cascade information to colleagues using a variety of systems.

To demonstrate own activities or workplace routines when delegated, to new or less experienced employees in the work area.

To seek help, support and advice when required.

HUMAN, PHYSICAL AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES

To efficiently organise own time management within the workload of the team.

To act as a role model for new staff, students, volunteers and any other visiting professionals.

To ensure effective use of material resources/ supplies within the Hospice.

To ensure equipment is used safely, stored appropriately and securely and maintained as per manufacturers instructions.

INFORMATION RESOURCES

To record delegated data using the agreed systems.

To contribute to updating of patient records.

CLINICAL GOVERNANCE

To have an understanding of how to maintain standards of care.

To ensure own actions promote quality and alert others to quality issues.

To participate in audit/ benchmarking as required, supporting the introduction of a change in practice if indicated.

HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK

Act as a responsible individual in relation to Health and Safety and be aware of the responsibilities of all employees to maintain a safe and healthy environment for patients, visitors, staff, volunteers and contractors.

Take reasonable care of the health and safety of yourself and other persons who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work, and to co-operate with the Hospice in adhering to statutory and departmental safety regulations.

Responsible for ensuring that you do not intentionally or recklessly misuse or interfere with anything provided in the interests of health, safety or welfare e.g. misuse of equipment.

Contribute to the control of risk and report immediately, using the Hospice Incident reporting system, any incident, accident or near miss involving patients, service users, carers, staff, contractors or members of the public.

To summon help and take immediate and appropriate action in relation to any adverse incident.

To work within legislation and Bury Hospice procedures on risk management.

All Hospice sites have been designated a no smoking area. Therefore smoking is not permitted within Hospice premises, or whilst representing the Hospice in the course of their duty. While the Hospice will not discriminate against employing smokers, all prospective employees should be aware of this policy.

VOLUNTEERS

The Hospice has the advantage of being supported by a number of volunteers.

If a volunteer is assigned to assist you at any time, you will still retain responsibility for the requirements of this job in terms of accuracy, efficiency and standards of completion.

You will also ensure good communication and be mindful of your responsibility towards that volunteer in terms of Health and Safety.

STANDARDS OF BUSINESS CONDUCT

Comply with the Hospice financial instructions and, at all times, deal honestly with the organisation, with colleagues and with all those who have dealings with the organisation, including patients, relatives and suppliers.

Ensure that behaviour and interests inside and outside work do not conflict with Hospice duties and/ or responsibilities.

Comply with and support the development of performance standards within the service/ department to ensure the service is responsive to and meets the needs of the Hospice.

Develop and maintain good working relationships with all patients, service users, staff, contractors and, where appropriate, members of the public.

The Hospice aims to maintain the good will and confidence of its staff, patients, service users, contractors and members of the public. To assist in achieving this objective it is essential that, at all times, you carry out duties in a courteous, sympathetic and professional manner.

Comply with Hospice standards and codes of conduct. It is your responsibility to ensure you are both familiar with, and adhere to, these requirements.

EQUALITY & DIVERSITY AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Carry out duties with full regard to the Hospice Equality and Diversity Policy, avoiding unlawful discriminatory behaviour and actions when dealing with colleagues, service users, members of the public and all other stakeholders.

Promote awareness of, and respect for, equality and diversity in accordance with the Hospice policies and procedures.

Responsible for treating all staff, patients, service users, contractors and members of the public with dignity and respect at all times.

SAFEGUARDING

Appointments to regulated and controlled activities require appropriate DBS clearance. Checking will be in accordance with the timeline promulgated by the Independent Safeguarding Authority.

Responsibility to promote the welfare of any child, young person or vulnerable adult you come into into contact with and, in cases where there are safeguarding concerns, to act upon them and protect the individual from harm.

Refer any safeguarding issues to line manager or nurse in charge, and escalate accordingly, in line with the Hospice Safeguarding Policies.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Ensure that the disclosure and use of confidential patient information is both lawful and ethical, and to recognise own responsibility for compliance with relevant legislation.

Be aware of the confidential nature of the Hospice environment and/or your role. Any matters of a confidential nature, relating to patients, carers, relatives, staff or volunteers must not be divulged to any unauthorised person.

DATA PROTECTION

You should make yourself aware of the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation which came into effect on 25th May 2018 and follow all codes of practice to ensure appropriate action is taken to safeguard confidential information.

Refer to Hospice Information Governance and data Protection Policies and Procedures.

Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ 2

Skills / Competence

Essential

• Effective communication skills.
• Good organisational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Able to write concise, legible and accurate nursing notes.
• Ability to plan and manage own time and tasks.
• Ability to prioritise and work under pressure to deadlines.
• Basic IT skills and able to access the internet and use e-mail.
• Evidence of team or group working.
• Manual dexterity.
• Numeracy skills.

Experience

Essential

• Healthcare experience in a Hospice, Hospital or Community setting.

Desirable

• Recent relevant experience in a hospice.
• An understanding of specialist palliative care.

Work Related Circumstances

Essential

• Required to work flexibly as per nursing rota/internal rotation to night duty.
• Attend training/ events as required.
• Appointments require Appropriate DBS clearance.

Qualities

Essential

• Efficient, resourceful and flexible.
• Diplomatic, and logical approach.
• Professional attitude, responsive and adaptable approach.
• Commitment to quality and professional standards.
• Non-judgemental attitude.