Healthcare Assistant - High Dependency Unit (HDU)

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Health Care Support Worker (HCSW) role will be based clinically on a ward/ department within the Trust, working under the direct supervision of qualified and non- qualified staff in the delivery of high quality, direct patient care for all patients and their families/ carers.

Health Care Support Workers will use general skills and will carry out straightforward clinical, technical, scientific, and/or administrative tasks, for example performing housekeeping tasks, stock control or delegated clinical tasks. Support workers at this stage require a basic factual knowledge and understanding of their field of work.

Supporting Service Users and their families throughout their care, promoting health and wellbeing, and understanding the wider health and social care system

Clinical, technical and scientific roles and responsibilities Knowledge and practice, support and interventions required to safely assist service-users meet their optimum potential.

Clinical, technical and scientific roles and responsibilities Knowledge and practice, support and interventions required to safely assist service-users meet their optimum potential.

Performs straightforward, routine and specific delegated care tasks, for which they have achieved competencies, and working within procedures, policies and plans. May participate in discussions on proposed changes to procedures.

Undertakes personal care duties, e.g. bathing, toileting, dressing, support with meals and assisting patients with their appearance.

Records patient information.

Assesses patient health, safety and wellbeing while undertaking personal care, deciding whether to refer to other staff as appropriate.

Demonstrates the ability to respond flexibly to the needs of the working environment.

Assists in effective care planning assisting with service user flow and evaluation by sharing relevant information in a timely manner with members of the multi-disciplinary team.

Able to recognise signs of discomfort, anxiety or concerns and promptly report them to a registered practitioner. This includes recognising discomfort in other members of staff, families and carers, as well as service users.

Demonstrate effective hand eye co-ordination for manoevring wheelchairs, bathing patients/ clients using hoists.

Directs queries in respect of signposting to appropriate multi-disciplinary team colleagues.

Maintains service user equipment, including stock control, delivery and setting up.

Recognises an emergency, summons assistance and acts as a member of the multi-disciplinary team within parameters of own competence and defined role. In settings where a registered practitioner is not present, initiates immediate first aid whilst awaiting the arrival of appropriately qualified practitioners.

Communication and information management Communicate clearly and accurately using a range of written, verbal and non-verbal methods, maintaining confidentiality and protection of data, and overcoming physical, sensory, cognitive and language barriers to understanding. Barriers to understanding can include emotional and social barriers

Understands role requirement and the importance of accessing, maintaining and storing documentation relating to care, in accordance with local guidance and legal requirements for maintaining confidentiality and data protection.

Keeps complete, clear, accurate and timely records, utilising digital platforms as required.

Contributes to updating patient records e.g. by recording basic patient information such as fluid balance (intake and output) and nutrition, height, weight and age.

Communicates through a variety of methods, including the use of interpersonal, written and verbal and non-verbal skills. Exchanges information with service user and families using active listening, compassion, empathy, and coproduction techniques with the service user.

Provides and receives routine and straightforward information in a timely and effective manner to and from service users, carers, members of staff and others. Actively listens and receives information, gives and acts on feedback. Understands the communication needs of others and adapts communication style accordingly.

Exchanges factual information with patients using persuasion, reassurance, tact and empathy.

May overcome barriers to understanding, e.g. patient/ client has physical impairment, mental health condition or learning difficulties.

Safe and inclusive environments Working within organisational policies and procedures to ensure equality, diversity and inclusion, safeguarding, protection and personal wellbeing, and safety, along with the importance of infection control, duty of care and candour.

Contributes to the maintenance of healthy and safe working environments through appropriate practice, use of resources, techniques and behaviours and understanding of relevant legislation.

Understands the importance of adhering to organisational policies, protocols, procedures, and standards.

Has a personal duty of care in relation to equipment, resources, money and personal valuables.

Demonstrates safe use of equipment and maintains stock control.

Identifies and manages risks, including assessment of moving and handling, using local policies and procedures. Is aware of the environment in which they work and how to maintain safety for themselves and others.

Reports any incidents, accidents or complaints in a timely manner, taking appropriate action where necessary.

Understands and follows the principles of safeguarding and protection. Follows local procedures and escalates concerns in a timely manner, complying with legal requirements.

Understands the principles and practices of infection control, adhering to these consistently within own scope of practice.

Acts with integrity and honesty, ensuring individuals do not experience harm by reporting situations, behaviours or errors that might lead to adverse outcomes for service users.

Understands, promotes, and advocates for equality and diversity and demonstrates inclusion through interaction with individuals.

Aware of your own values, culture and position, and the impact of your work and actions on others.

Promotes equality and challenges discriminatory behaviour, particularly relating to age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, and sexual orientation. Provides support without prejudice.

Understands and applies the principles and processes to support access to care and making reasonable adjustments.

Research and service improvement Participation and undertaking of research, audit, evaluation and service-improvement projects.

Participates in service evaluation and quality improvement activities relevant to own work.

Occasionally participates in audits, surveys, research and development activities as necessary to own work.

Able to understand and comply with research governance, ethics, protocols and guidelines.

Leadership and management Understanding the importance of being a role model, time management, identifying areas for self-improvement, and supervising others.

Acts in a professional manner, demonstrating NHS Constitution values.

Acts as a role model (for example by being welcoming).

Supports new or less experienced employees with clinical competence relevant to level of experience.

Takes appropriate action when the performance and practice of others should be positively recognised or requires improvement. Identifies and develops own leadership skills, for example by volunteering for broader opportunities within their organisation. Advocates for service users, families and carers.

May help induct and instruct new support staff.

Participates in team learning.

Personal and professional values and behaviours The values required to work in health and social care, and personal learning and self-development.

Demonstrates, through interactions with others, the core values of the NHS and Our NHS People Promise.

Understands and acts on own safety and health and wellbeing needs and supports the health and wellbeing of wider team members.

Understands why learning is important and how it improves performance, practice and quality of care.

Participates in learning (including mandatory training) to ensure up-to-date knowledge, skills and behaviours to safely perform role. Actively seeks feedback.

Prepares for and participates in appraisals and agrees a Personal Development Plan.

Records learning and personal development and is supported to identify areas for improvement. Undertakes reflective practice.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• It is not essential to have experience in health or social care settings at this stage, but candidates should be able to demonstrate experience of working with the public, for example customer care skills in retail or through employment, work experience or volunteering

Qualifications / Training

Essential

• RQF Level 2 Qualification(s) (for example GCSE grade 4/C or above). Level 2 Functional Skills. Or - as a level 2 apprenticeship, such as the Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship

Desirable

• If the essential requirements can not be met, a commitment to complete relevant study/ functional skills level 2 or Health Care Support Worker apprenticeship. To be started within the first 6 months of employment. (This will be provided by the Trust).

Skills and competencies

Essential

• Skills and CompetenciesoAble to work on own initiative and under pressure oAble to work within a multidisciplinary team. oGood communication skills. Written, oral and electronic.e.g. Certificates Application form Interview References Recruitment competency test

Personal Qualities. The NHS & Trust Values

Essential

• Demonstrates the values of the NHS and commitment to personal and professional development. To exemplify the Trust Values: Friendly - patients, colleagues, public are always put at ease and made welcome Excellence - ensure the care we deliver has great outcomes for patients Caring - put the patient first and be considerate of their needs Professional - apply high professional standards to your role Respect - for patients and each other

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

Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital

Twmpath Road

Gobowen

SY107AG

Employer's website

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