Job responsibilities
TITLE:
Senior
Healthcare Assistant (Community Services)
ACCOUNTABLE TO: Director
of Clinical Services
RESPONSIBLE TO: Home Care
Coordinator
HOURS:
ROLE SUMMARY:
To
work as a member of the Hospices community team to provide a consistently high
standard of personal care to the client,
including a limited range of clinical tasks (which may require supervision.)
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Sound
basic education in English and Mathematics.
NVQ level 3 in Health Care/ Care Certificate or equivalent
essential.
Previous
experience in palliative care setting desirable.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
To work with the community
nursing team to achieve a consistently high standard of care and
compassion for clients and their families in their own home.
To apply the Hospice values
and principles of behaviour to uphold the good reputation of the Hospice
To develop good communications
with the client and the family passing on all relevant information to the Home
Care Coordinator (HCC) /Sister/Nurse in Charge
To work without direct
supervision using own initiative within the parameters set by Hospice
policies and procedures, with guidance from HCC/Sister/Nurse in Charge.
To inform HCC/Sister/Nurse in
Charge of any change in the clients condition.
To liaise with the HCC/Sister
Nurse in charge as necessary to maintain the comfort and well-being of the
client.
To respect the privacy and
dignity of the client and their families at all times.
To undertake a range of
delegated clinical care duties relevant to the service provided.
To report all accidents,
incidents, hazards or complaints to the HCC/Sister/Nurse in Charge.
To exercise care and economy
in the use of property and equipment.
To record patient observations
and changes to the patients clinical conditions and carry out a range of
tests e.g., taking blood pressure, glucose monitoring, , observing
patients for signs of distress, wound observations and simple wound
dressings, renewal of stoma bag.
To deal with questions and
enquiries from patients, carers and relatives e.g.: on the clients
condition, deciding when to refer enquiries to the HCC/Sister/Nurse in
charge.
To be involved in verbal and
written reports. Ensuring all
communication is of a high standard.
Co-operation with the
investigation of accidents and untoward occurrences. Ensuring that Hospice policy is adhered
to.
Attending staff meetings and
discussion groups as required.
Participating in in-service
training programme and in personal career development to maintain skills
and develop personal growth through training and education
In accordance with the Health
and Safety at Work Act, taking all precautions to provide a safe
environment for clients and colleagues.
Accepting opportunities to
attend study days or educational visits. Completion of
Mandatory Training.
Reporting any defective
equipment to the person in charge.
Relaying any queries or
concerns from the client or their families to the HCC/Sister/Nurse in Charge.
Respecting at all times the
need to maintain confidentiality regarding all client information.
Assist with the promotion of
good staff morale. Give support and
help to others as appropriate.
To act as a role model and Supervisor
to all Caring Hands health care assistants.
To support the HCC with office
duties as required.
To undertake spot checks on
colleagues as and when required, ensuring all relevant supporting
documentation is fully completed.
To cover the on call
responsibility as required within working hours following agreed
procedures.
To mentor new staff members
ensuring competences are achieved and signed off.
To be responsible for
inputting information into patient written records where applicable, complying with GDPR and Caldicott
Guidelines.
Identify and report any
concerns to ensure best practice is maintained.
To attend any additional
training required to support the senior health care assistant role and
responsibilities.
To undertake new patient
initial assessments including, care plans and risk assessments.
To carry out log book audits,
sharing results with HCC acting accordingly.
Liaise and communicate with
other health care professionals and the wider MDT as required to provide
high quality care.
Use the current electronic
systems appropriately and as agreed.
To adhere to the Hospice Smoking Policy and all other Hospice
Policies and Procedures.
Volunteers
Dr
Kershaws Hospice is generously supported through its active volunteers who
work alongside employees of the Hospice, across all departments, helping to
fulfil the needs of the services.
As
part of all roles at the Hospice, it is expected that all post holders commit
to assisting and supporting volunteers to perform their roles to the best of
their ability. In addition, it may be required of the post holder to act
as a volunteer lead if identified with the Volunteer Co-coordinator, as
appropriate.
Health and Safety/Security
To
be familiar with all requirements of the Health and Safety at Works Acts and
the Hospice Health & Safety policies and regulations applicable to the
post.
To
co-operate actively with the nominated Health & Safety person in achieving
the aims of the Hospice Health & Safety Policy, Fire Regulations, related
issues and various procedures and ensure the legal requirements are met.
To
take responsible care for the health and safety of themselves and of others who
may be affected by their acts or omission, and comply with the Health and
Safety legislation.
To
wear appropriate safety clothing and use appropriate safety devices as
requires, and not to interfere with or misuse anything which is provided in the
interests of health and safety.
To
report and co-operate with the investigation of all incidents and accidents
that have led to or may lead to injury and to report all hazards or shortcoming
in the protection arrangements.
To
ensure as far as predictable that all materials used within the Hospice and its
subsidiaries for fundraising activities are properly stored, used and disposed
of and that any items of equipment are properly tested, used, maintained and
repaired as necessary.
To
oversee Risk Management Assessments and ensure outcomes are acted upon.
Education & Training
The
post holder will:
Participate
in the hospice appraisal system.
To
maintain high professional standards and to continue own personal and
professional development.
Assist
in teaching and supervision of other members of staff and volunteers.
Participate
in the orientation of new staff.
Attend
all mandatory training/update sessions.
General
Confidentiality
- It is a condition of employment that staff will not disclose any information
obtained in the course of their duties other than to those entitled to receive
it. The post holder must ensure that the
confidentiality of personal data remains secure and the terms of the Data
Protection Act and relevant Hospice policies are met in respect of information
held on the Hospice computer system.
Equal
Opportunities The Hospice is committed to equality of opportunity. All staff are required to comply with current
legislation and Hospice policies.
Health
and Safety Staff must ensure they are familiar with the requirements of the
Health and Safety Work Act (1974) and the Hospice Health and Safety policies
and regulations applicable to their post.
Safeguarding
Dr Kershaws Hospice is committed to safeguarding adults and children and
expects all staff to share in this commitment.
Staff have a responsibility to ensure that they are aware of specific
duties relating to their role and should familiarise themselves with the
Hospice safeguarding policy. Regular
safeguarding training updates will be held and are mandatory for all staff.
The
above indicates the main duties that may be reviewed in the light of experience
and developments within the service. Any
review will be undertaken in conjunction with the post holder.
The job description for this post
is not exhaustive and will be subject to review from time to time in accordance
with development and changes, if any, by the Hospice Management Team in
consultation with the post holder.
This document is a guideline to the
general scope of duties involved and it is not intended as a rigid inflexible
specification.
Due to the nature of the organisation you will undertake any other
reasonable tasks or duties that are deemed to be within your capability, to
meet the needs of the organisations services and/or directed by a senior
manager to whom you have a reporting relationship.
