Health Care Assistant - South Hams Ward

Job description

Job responsibilities

PRIMARY DUTIES AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Provide and deliver a high standard of nursing, care (i.e. washing, mouthcare, toileting, manual handling and mobility), recognising and meeting the specific needs of patients.
• Prioritise own tasks under the direction of registered nurse.
• To carry out clinical observations on patients, recognising, recording and reporting all changes in patients condition to senior staff.
• To support maintenance of fluid balance and dietary charts, recognising, recording and reporting all adverse findings to senior staff.
• To support nutritional needs of patients by assisting with feeding and drinking, reporting on concerns about dietary intake to senior staff.
• An awareness of skin integrity over pressure points, recognising and reporting all adverse findings to senior staff.
• To recognise the importance of health education and teaching of patients and carers, and refer patients to senior staff
• Document and sign for all observations and care given with counter signature from a registered practitioner.
• To maintain his/her own professional development, attending courses/further training to enhance and optimise his/her role within the work area.
• To promote and safeguard the well being of patients, their families and colleagues.
• To share responsibility in the care and maintenance of all equipment on the ward and stock control.
• To respect the confidential information, in line with Trust policy Data Protection Act, obtained in the course of work and not disclose this information.
• To be familiar with and adhere to Trust and Departmental policies and procedures mindful of responsibilities to self, colleagues and patients.
• Report untoward incidents, complaints, clinical emergencies to senior staff

COMMUNICATION AND KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Patients and their support network

Ward Sisters/Charge Nurses and all ward based nursing staff

Modern Matron

Educational staff

Clinical Nurse Specialists, Nurse Consultants, Nurse Practitioners.

Infection Control Team.

General Practitioners.

Housekeeping and domestic staff

Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists

Bank/Agency Nurses and Healthcare Assistants

All Job Holders are required to:

• Adhere to Trust policies and procedures, e.g. Health and Safety at Work, Equal Opportunities Infection Control etc.
• Maintain personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job, participate in appropriate training activities and encourage and support staff development and training.

• Maintain and respect confidentiality of all information relating to their employment and other members of staff. All staff are expected to respect the requirements of the data protection act 1998.

• Comply with the corporate governance structure in keeping with the principles and standards set out by the Trust
• Work within and adhere to the Trusts policy for Violence and Aggression.

Note

This job description is neither definitive nor exhaustive. It may be reviewed in the light of changing circumstances following consultation with the post holder. This job description is to be read in conjunction with all current PHNT policies & guidelines.

Person Specification

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable experience working with people
• Ability to work in a team environment

Desirable

• Demonstrable experience working in a caring environment
• Health & Safety

Qualifications

Essential

• GCSEs Grade A-D/3-9 in Maths and English or Functional Skills level 1 in Maths and English Plus either NVQ level 2 in Health & Social Care or HCA UHP Level 2 or definitive evidence of working towards - 75% completed (or equivalent transferable qualification)
• OR Demonstrable equivalent experience (NVQ Level 2 equivalent) as a Healthcare Assistant in a Band 2 clinical role and agree to undertake the HCA UHP L2 course. Willing to undertake a competency based assessment at interview. Undertake and complete the Care Certificate training programme offered in-house

Desirable

• Computer literate
• Care Certificate training

Aptitudes & Abilities

Essential

• Time management skills and the ability to work within demanding timeframes
• Organisational skills
• Able to communicate routine information that requires tact and persuasive skills, or where there may be barriers to understanding
• Be able to communicate in an open and effective way
• Be able to maintain clear and accurate records
• Ability to deal with complex and sensitive information, often in hostile circumstances
• Excellent telephone manner
• Ability to recognise own limitations

Disposition / Attitude / Motivation

Essential

• Willingness to undertake further training and development
• Positive and caring attitude

Circumstances

Essential

• Able to work rotational shifts

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

South Hams Community Ward

Plymouth Road

Kingsbridge

TQ7 1AT

Employer's website

https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)