Health Care Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

Supporting Clinical & Patient Excellence:

Assist in the provision of nursing care under the supervision of a registered healthcare practitioner in relation to:

Safe manual handling of patients after establishing best method.

Maintain safety of patients, personal clothing and property in accordance with agreed policies related to security and confidentiality.

The collection of specimens, i.e. stool, urine, mid-stream urine, catheter specimen of urine, sputum and wound swabs.

Recognising the Equality and Diversity of patients, clients, relatives and multi- disciplinary groups by supporting ant-discriminatory practice & acknowledging patients personal beliefs and identity.

Maintaining a clean and tidy environment, including clinic areas, clinic rooms, store cupboards, kitchen, treatment room and equipment used for procedures.

Undertaking the cleaning of unit equipment, according to policy and procedure. Make effective use of the infection control policy.

Take and record vital signs as requested, i.e. temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure, oxygen saturation and Early Warning Score (EWS) on observation charts reporting any abnormalities/concerns to the registered healthcare practitioner.

Undertaking the cleaning of clinic areas, suction, oxygen, and prepare for clinics, obtaining any essential equipment.

Report any concerns / incidents relating to patient health, and safety of the environment to a registered nurse/ healthcare practitioner.

Provide clear and concise verbal communication to patients, clients and multi-disciplinary teams.

Provide clear and concise written documentation as per Trust guidance.

Communication:

Recognise and maintain confidentiality of information relating to patients and their records.

Ensure clarity in communicating with patients and their relatives as well as other team members and in answering questions within the sphere of ones own knowledge. Report changes in patients condition to the registered nurse on duty and participate in shift hand over to ensure effective continuity of care.

Contribute to the on-going support of patients and others significant to them, enabling patients to maintain their interests, identity and emotional well-being.

Welcome patients, their families and other visitors to the department. Introduce them to the facilities and services provided.

Answer the telephone on a clear, friendly, helpful and professional manner. Take any messages accurately and refer to a registered nurse as necessary.

Demonstrate a caring approach to patients, their families and visitors and to have good verbal and non-verbal communication skills.

Leadership:

Lead by example with drive and enthusiasm, responding appropriately to the needs of patients, families and carers.

Set high standards of care for the department, including department cleanliness, safety etc., are maintained so that the patients experience is excellent.

Constructively challenge practices as necessary, which impact on patients care and/or staff wellbeing.

People/Management Excellence:

Have the ability and knowledge to competently deal with an emergency situation.

Manage his/her time effectively and perform allocated tasks within a reasonable time frame, knowing when to seek support, assistance and advice from other team members.

Undertake general clerical duties that may be associated with the smooth running of the department. This will include data entry following training.

Assist in the maintenance of department equipment and stock levels, e.g. equipment, etc.

Professional Responsibilities:

At all times to adhere to statutory, mandatory, Trust guidance and the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers and Adult Social Care Workers in England (2013). Adopted and adapted for use at NGH January 2014.

Attend department monthly meetings and Safety huddles.

Maintain own statutory, mandatory training, and divisional /directorate specific essential training.

Maintain and complete Band 2 competency framework.

Complete the HCA training programme.

Undertake the Care Certificate within the time frame of three months, successfully completing as soon as possible thereafter.

Be self-motivated and seek ways to flexibly extend own knowledge skills.

To have an awareness of nursing policies and procedures.

Identify learning needs in self, negotiating a Personal Development Plan recognising own limitations.

Understand own limitations and know where to find advice and assistance.

Act as a role model for new starters in the area.

Adhere to the Trust uniform policy.

Quality Assurance and Monitoring:

Actively promote evidence-based practice within the clinical area.

Identify and report any untoward incident/accident, problem and risk as soon as possible to the nurse in charge.

Corporate Responsibilities:

Act as a role model in customer service towards visitors to the hospital.

Facilitate any measures to help achieve directorate/divisional and Trust targets and agendas.

Share best practice through meetings, huddles and forums.

Other Information:

The post holder may be required to carry out other relevant duties as required.

The post holder will adhere to the duties specified under the Staff Responsibilities of the NHS Constitution in their day to day work and behaviours.

The post holder will be expected to aspire to the Values of the Trust in their day to day work and behaviours in order to support the Trust in achieving its Vision.

The post holder will adhere to, at all times, any relevant Professional or NHS Code of Conducts, legislation and Assurance Frameworks.

The post holder will make themselves familiar with, and adhere to, at all times, the policies and procedures of the Trust, and their area of work.

The post holder will be expected to work to any personal, Corporate, Divisional, Directorate and Departmental objectives and standards in order to provide an acceptable level of service.

The post holder will be expected to undertake training, including mandatory and role specific training, relevant to their role and ensure it is renewed as required.

Person Specification

Skills

Essential

• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to foster teamwork.

Desirable

• Effective IT skills.
• Cannulation and venepuncture skills.

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Understanding the role of a Health Care Assistant.
• Demonstrable ability to work within a multidisciplinary team.

Desirable

• Previous experience of working in an Oncology or Haematology ward.
• IT awareness.
• Previous Health Care experience within the National Health Service or care setting.

Education, Training & Qualifications

Essential

• Willingness to undertake HCA programme.

Desirable

• HCA programme.
• NVQ 2 or 3 in Health Care or equivalent qualification.

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

Northampton General Hospital

Address

Northampton General Hospital

Cliftonville

Northampton

NN1 5BD

Employer's website

https://www.northamptongeneral.nhs.uk/Home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)