Nursing Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

1. To assist the nursing staff on the inpatient unit with the range of duties within the competence or limitation of their level of experience/training.
2. To work under the direct and indirect supervision of the Hospice at Home Deputy, in the delivery of quality, holistic nursing care for patients in their own homes.
3. Recognise and feedback any changes in patient condition and where required take appropriate action to support care and treatment under the direction of a Registered nurse and in line with patient care plans.
4. To ensure effective communication with staff and patients and to refer back to the Registered nurse as appropriate.
5. Actively contributes and promotes a team approach to care based on mutual support and respect.
6. Ensures safe and responsible use of equipment, identifies and reports to senior colleagues any malfunctions and takes action to maintain safety as directed.
7. Following appropriate training, performs and records accurately observations of temperature, pulse, blood pressure, blood glucose monitoring, intake and output, weight, urine tests, demonstrating an understanding of normal results and the importance to promptly report results out of normal range.
8. Assists with patients nutritional requirements and maintains accurate nutritional records.
9. Following appropriate training undertakes transfer of patients from bed to trolley/chair, or as required, using available equipment, in a safe manner and in accordance to Moving and Manual Handling Policy.
10. To report any changes observed in the patients condition to the trained nurses.
11. Ensures that documentation is completed accurately and legibly in accordance with local guidance and confidentiality is maintained using Caldicott Guidelines.
12. Assist with admission/discharge of patients and caring for their property in accordance with Myton Hospice policy.
13. Under the direction of the trained nurse assist the patient with all their activities of daily living, including: Bathing, bed bathing including care of hair, nails, shaving, basic mouth care; care of patients with continence problems. Assist with toileting needs; assist patients as required, with drinking and eating; ensure patients comfort and be aware of the needs for changing patients position in preventing pressure ulcer formation; assist patients to mobilise using appropriate aids; on the inpatient unit, to be with anxious/restless patient and sit with an unconscious patient as required; to help make relatives, friends and visitors feel comfortable and welcome.
14. Prepare bed space for admission and cleaning bed/locker after discharge as per Infection prevention and control adherence.
15. To provide practical support to the family in terms of guidance and advice around safe delivery of personal care when appropriate.
16. Help promote and maintain an environment that is safe and conducive to meeting the needs of patients, their relatives and friends, within their own home.
17. Participate in cleaning equipment, commodes, hoists and other nursing and medical equipment as per cleaning schedule and compliance to infection prevention and control.
18. Assist with care of patients after death and support other nursing staff with the care of the deceased and performing of last offices.
19. Transfer deceased patients to the mortuary whilst ensuring the philosophy of the hospice is respected and maintained.
20. Actively contribute to developing the service to enhance the care and support available to patients and families.
21. Be responsible for own continued development and compliance with Mandatory Training.

Communication:

1. Answers the telephone in a polite and courteous manner and with regards to confidentiality policy. Refers calls to senior colleagues as appropriate.
2. Contribute to the support of volunteers on the Ward ensuring effective communication is maintained.
3. Demonstrate effective communication at all times with all professionals, patients, relatives and all disciplines within the wider multi-disciplinary team.
4. Promote patients and users as partners in care and treatment.
5. Participate in the orientation/education programmes of all new staff.
6. Under guidance from senior colleagues, develops excellent customer care skills, which will contribute to a positive profile of the ward and Hospice.
7. Deals with bereavement issues in a sensitive and compassionate manner under the guidance from senior colleagues.
8. Contribute to the appropriate and efficient use of supplies and resources.
9. Ensuring incidents and clinical adverse events and near misses are reported and assist in the investigation at clinical level as required.
10. To be conversant and comply with the policies and procedures of Myton Hospice including Confidentiality, Health and Safety, Fire and Child Protection.
11. To promote a safe working environment under the Health and Safety at work Act (1974), ensure health and safety of staff, patients and visitors by complying with appropriate standards including, decontamination, infection control, COSHH, Medical Devices.

Other Duties:

1. Maintain general tidiness in nursing, patient and storage areas.
2. Ensure the Ward environment is safe, clean and tidy and adhere and comply with the Hospices Infection Control Prevention and Control Policy, Dress code and all other Hospice Policies and Guidance.

General Responsibilities & Obligations of Employees:

Policies and Procedures: The post holder is required to have a good understanding of and to comply with all relevant Myton policies, procedures and guidelines. Any contravention of Myton policies or procedures may result in disciplinary action.

Volunteers:Myton recognises the valuable contribution that volunteers make and we expect all employees to be able to support and work effectively with our volunteers.

Confidentiality & Data Protection:It is a requirement of employment with Myton that all staff must comply with the obligation of confidentiality relating to personal information that could identify individuals. The Data Protection Act 1974/1998 safeguards the handling of information held in both electronic and manual filing systems and it is the duty of all staff employed by Myton to uphold the principles of the Act, adhere to Myton policies and to maintain strict confidentiality at all times.

Infection Control:All employees of Myton must be aware of infection prevention and control policies and are expected to follow them at all times. Any breach of infection control policies which places patients, visitors or colleagues at risk may result in disciplinary action.

Equality & Diversity:The post-holder must at all times carry out his/her responsibilities in line with Mytons Equality & Diversity Policy.

Health & Safety:Employees must be aware of the responsibilities placed upon them under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, to ensure the agreed safety procedures are carried out to maintain a safe working environment for patients, visitors & colleagues. The post holder is required to conform with Mytons policies on Health & Safety and Fire Prevention, & to attend related training as required.

Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults and Children:Its the duty of all staff working for Myton to safeguard children and vulnerable adults and undertake safeguarding training at an appropriate level.

Code of Conduct:Employees are required to represent Myton in a positive light and embody the corporate identity in appearance, demeanour, values and ethics.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Level 3 NVQ/QCF or equivalent (either achieved, working towards or willing to undertake)

Skills and Attributes

Essential

• Motivated and enthusiastic
• Excellent personal and communication skills
• Creative, resourceful and imaginative
• Good role model
• Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding
• Basic IT computer skills

Desirable

• Food hygiene trained

Other

Essential

• Flexible working hours, a willingness to work within the Inpatient Unit as required
• Ability to travel across sites if required
• Must hold a full UK driving licence
• Kind and compassionate
• Commitment to the Myton values
• Team Player / Lone worker
• Passed fit for post by Occupational Health

Experience

Essential

• Two years' experience of hospice, hospital or community nursing
• Experience of Multi-Disciplinary Team working
• Experience working in a palliative care setting
• Experience of caring for patients and families with life limiting / life threatening conditions

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

The Myton Hospices

Address

Myton Hamlet Hospice

Myton Lane

Warwick

CV34 6PX

Employer's website

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