Job responsibilities
As a Healthcare Assistant you will deliver a range of patient care duties under supervision of Sisters or Staff Nurses which include the recording of patient information and providing holistic patient care. You will assist qualified staff in providing high quality standards of palliative care for patients and their relatives.
Main Duties of post
1. To assist in developing a caring supportive and spiritual atmosphere for adults or children requiring palliative care.
2. To maintain a high standard of patient care ensuring policies and procedures are adhered to.
3. To develop specialist skills in all aspects of palliative care and carry out relevant forms of care.
4. To give individualised patient care with minimal supervision from trained nursing staff in accordance with the care plan.
5. To share responsibility within the nursing team for planning implementing and evaluating the total care of the patients and their families.
6. Participate in implementing care delegated by trained staff for which training has been given and competence achieved.
7. Be involved in a multidisciplinary approach to patient care together with other healthcare professionals and the spiritual care coordinators.
8. Develop good communication skills through continued learning and become competent in speaking with patients and carers.
9. To assist the qualified nurse in assessing the individual needs of the patient and the family and give support in meeting physical psychological and spiritual needs
10. To work as a member of the nursing team under the supervision of trained staff reporting changes in patients conditions and needs as they occur.
11. Participate in meetings related to families and staff.
12. Cover a 24 hour nursing rota when the need arises.
13. Maintain a safe clean and secure environment for patients visitors and staff.
14. Be fully aware and comply with all Trinity Hospice and Palliative Care Services policies and procedures.
15. Communicate information on patient care and related matters to the nurse in charge of the Unit.
16. Ensure correct use and due economy is made of equipment and resources.
17. Maintain good working relationships with all Hospice personnel.
18. Participate in social activities to give support to patients and families.
19. Participate in staff induction and on-going mentorship of Healthcare Assistants.
General Responsibilities
20. To undertake all mandatory training as required by Trinity Hospice and Palliative Care Services and participate in appropriate in service training as and when required.
21. Maintaining the strict confidentiality of all information acquired especially with regard to patients and staff.
22. To ensure all documentation is contemporaneous clear and accurate and plans of care are updated in accordance with the needs of the patient.
23. To undertake an appraisal and personal development review annually and through self-development continuously update and improve knowledge and competencies.
24. To be a cooperative and supportive member of the Trinity staff team ensuring that all members are aware of any issues in the post holders workload which may affect other members of the Trinity team.
25. To support all volunteers utilised in your area and to develop effective working relationships providing regular feedback on their performance.
26. To take responsibility for being up to date with current policies and procedures and to adhere to these.
27. Cooperating fully in the introduction of any new technology and new methods as appropriate.
28. To promote at all times the Hospice philosophy and uphold the Trinity core values.
29. Any other duties that may be reasonably requested.
Professional function
Clinical
30. To work as part of a team to share the responsibility in evaluating assessing the individuals needs of the patient and family and developing programmes of care to meet physical psychological and spiritual needs.
31. Contribute to a multi disciplinary approach to patient care together with other health care professionals and the clergy physiotherapy.
32. Contribute to the completion of relevant documentation
33. Report changes in patients condition to trained staff.
34. Make use of available opportunities to extend clinical and professional knowledge.
35. Undertake relevant clinical procedures following completion of competencies- Blood glucose monitoring basic observations and syringe pump valuation recording.
36. Access patient condition through basic test results collecting specimens.
37. Supervise where appropriate less experienced Healthcare Assistants.
Learning
38. Develop and extend knowledge of specialist palliative care through accessing available generic training
39. Develop good communication skills through continued learning and become competent in speaking with patients and carers.
40. Develop IT skills.
Personal
41. Make use of available opportunities to extend knowledge in care of patients requiring specialist palliative care.
42. Maintain Personal Development Plan.
43. Promote best practice in relation to Health and Safety.
This job description is not exhaustive and is subject to review in conjunction with the post holder and according to future changes or developments in the service.
