Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

Healthcare Assistant/Enhanced Care

This job is now closed

Job summary

Do you have a passion for caring for patients with enhanced care needs? Do you want a day that's never the same and at the end of it you go home feeling rewarded in the knowledge of the difference you have made to your patients? If you have answered yes, then we have the perfect role for you! We have created a new exciting role for an Enhanced Care Health Care Assistant working alongside our dedicated lead Mental Health Nurse. This is an incredible opportunity within our diverse and welcoming NHS Trust, where you will learn to support the physical and psychological wellbeing of our patients who require additional care.

Main duties of the job

The enhanced care team offer additional support across all the wards and departments for patients who may require additional support due to the disease process, unfamiliar surroundings, medication, or their mental health or challenging behaviour needs. Enhanced care is an integral part of a therapeutic plan and ensures the safe and sensitive monitoring of a patients physical and psychological wellbeing, whilst building therapeutic relationships. Enhanced care could be supporting 'cohorted' or patients who require 1-1 support.

Job Summary

To work primarily as a member of the Enhanced Care Team under the supervision and guidance of the Registered Nurse and Clinical Lead Nurse for Mental Health, providing support to all areas of the Trust.

To build therapeutic and meaningful relationships with patients.

To engage in therapeutic activities with patients to support their recovery of physical and mental health needs.

To support the Registered Nursing staff in the initial assessment and ongoing care of patients, under supervision.

To support the Registered Nursing staff in delivering individualised, safe and quality care to patients.

To support the Registered Nursing staff in maintaining a safe clinical environment.

To demonstrate own duties to new starters, bank/agency staff and to provide teaching and clinical supervision to less experienced staff.

To communicate effectively with all members of the public and the multi-disciplinary team at all times.

About us

We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer. We strive to employ people who reflect the communities we serve, and aim to create an inclusive culture where everyone can reach their full potential. Whatever your race, ethnicity, belief, generation, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability or experience, you'll appreciate the opportunities we give you to work in an inclusive atmosphere. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to build on the progress we've achieved to make our Trust diverse and the best place to work. We celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that help us overcome challenges and embrace new possibilities. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant Pledge and have a commitment to the Armed Forces Community.

If you are considering applying for a role, please be aware that as an NHS Employee you may have contact with vulnerable service users. We strongly encourage that all our staff are vaccinated against COVID-19 and are vaccinated annually against Flu, in order to protect the health and safety of our staff and patients. Your commitment will help us to put the safety and care of our patients first, as well as helping us to protect you and your colleagues.

Date posted

09 August 2023

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£22,816 to £24,336 a year per annum inclusive of allowances

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

252-5547340

Job locations

Darent Valley

Darenth Wood Road

Dartford

DA2 8DA

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities:

Provide a safe and welcoming environment for patients and their families.

Assist with the complete nursing care of all relevant allocated patients under the indirect supervision and guidance of a Registered Nurse (RN), including, but not limited to;

vital signs

venepuncture, following recognised training

blood glucose monitoring, following recognised training

plaster of paris and splint application, following recognised training

care of wounds requiring cleaning/irrigation/closure using steri-strips or wound adhesive and dressings, following recognised training

bladder scanning, following recognised training

urine testing, including routine, HCG and toxicology, following recognised training

ECG, following recognised training

To demonstrate basic understanding of anatomy and physiology through the competent completion of nursing procedures.

To maintain accurate documentation, under the indirect supervision and guidance of a Registered Nurse (RN) using paper and computer systems as required, including Enhanced Care paperwork.

Communicate and report any changes in a patients physical or mental health condition to the RN.

Provide and maintain a high standard of care to all patients at all times, ensuring the dignity and self-esteem of the patient is preserved.

Be proficient and confident in the use of distraction and use this to support nursing and clinical staff as required.

Communicate appropriately and effectively with a wide age range of patients across the childrens and adult services.

Maintain the safety of the patient.

Maintain a calm and professional manner at all times when dealing with patients and their relatives.

Promote and maintain patient confidentiality at all times, only providing patient/client information under the guidance and supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN).

Chaperone patients and accompany them to other wards or departments, maintaining their privacy, dignity and safety at all times.

Respond promptly and appropriately to clinical emergencies to ensure the patient receives appropriate care.

Act as an advocate for patients at all times and raise concerns to the RN or the Nurse in Charge.

Assist in the maintenance of resuscitation and emergency equipment and undertake basic life support procedures, when required.

Report all incidents and accidents to the RN or Nurse in Charge and participate in the investigation of incidents and complaints as relevant and required

Undertake Enhanced Care duties on different wards or departments as required by service demands, within the 24hr period.

Please see attached job description for more information.