Job summary
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is internationally recognised as a centre of excellence for cancer care, undertaking pioneering research, complex surgical procedures, and delivering the latest advances in cancer treatment and technology. Our Trust values underpin all aspects of our work and guide the high standards of care we provide to our patients.
We are seeking a highly motivated and professional Band 3 Healthcare Support Worker to join the Wilson Ward team, based at our Chelsea site. This post offers an excellent opportunity for an individual committed to delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality patient care within a specialist oncology environment.
The successful candidate will work as an integral member of the nursing team, supporting registered nurses in the delivery of clinical care and contributing to the smooth and efficient running of the ward. You will work closely with the Ward Manager and senior nursing team to promote effective communication, support service improvement initiatives, and help enhance the overall patient experience. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential.
The Royal Marsden is committed to the ongoing development of its workforce, and the post holder will be supported to develop their skills and progress within the organisation.
Main duties of the job
- To carry out in a responsible and efficient way, the nursing care for patients which has been drawn up in conjunction with the co-ordinator of the shift.
- To demonstrate the ability to develop a greater awareness and understanding of the needs of patients with cancer and the different treatment modalities, and work autonomously under supervision of a registered nurse.
- As an integral member of the nursing team work with team members to ensure the maintenance of an efficient, safe, clean and pleasant environment for all patients.
About us
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals - one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey - as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.
At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.
At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification:
These responsibilities will be carried out under the guidance of the shift co-ordinator:
- To practice the Care Certificate and support junior staff to achieve the standards. Communicate with tact, empathy, overcome barriers to understanding e.g., patients with physical impairment, mental health conditions or learning disabilities.
- Monitoring and recording patients vital signs (including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, oxygen saturation) and reporting any abnormal results to registered nursing staff. Assess comfort of patient and instigate emergency procedures.
- Measuring and recording patients height and weight.
- Performing venepuncture and venous blood sampling, after training and assessment of competency.
- Undertakes clinical tasks relevant to the specific clinical area following competency sign off, for example, ECG, urinalysis, MRSA screening swabs, recording of allergies on EPIC and other clinical tasks where training/competency sign off deemed appropriate for HCSW that has been ratified through NRRAC.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification:
These responsibilities will be carried out under the guidance of the shift co-ordinator:
- To practice the Care Certificate and support junior staff to achieve the standards. Communicate with tact, empathy, overcome barriers to understanding e.g., patients with physical impairment, mental health conditions or learning disabilities.
- Monitoring and recording patients vital signs (including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, oxygen saturation) and reporting any abnormal results to registered nursing staff. Assess comfort of patient and instigate emergency procedures.
- Measuring and recording patients height and weight.
- Performing venepuncture and venous blood sampling, after training and assessment of competency.
- Undertakes clinical tasks relevant to the specific clinical area following competency sign off, for example, ECG, urinalysis, MRSA screening swabs, recording of allergies on EPIC and other clinical tasks where training/competency sign off deemed appropriate for HCSW that has been ratified through NRRAC.
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- Care Certificate
- Demonstrable experience of working in a healthcare setting.
- Understanding of working with patients who are critically and chronically ill.
- Evidence of ongoing professional development
Desirable
- NVQ in Health and Social Care Level 2
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a healthcare setting for a duration long enough to have obtained relevant competencies for a Band 3 position.
- Experience of working with computers (keyboard skills, data entry)
Desirable
- Experience of working with oncology patients
Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
Essential
- Clinical skills (e.g. phlebotomy etc.)
- Evidence of effective interpersonal skills
- Evidence of good organisational skills
- Self-motivated to work under minimal supervision
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Good communication skills, written and verbal
- Ability to remain calm and demonstrate tact and diplomacy whilst under pressure
- Evidence of commitment to customer care initiatives
- Awareness of the importance of patient confidentiality
- Literacy and numeracy skills
- Awareness of health and safety at work (e.g. Manual Handling skills, Infection Control measures)
Desirable
- Understanding of working with patients who are critically and chronically ill
Other
Essential
- Flexibility to meet the needs of the service (e.g. shift work)
- Able to work on both sites and to be flexible to meet the needs of the role
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- Care Certificate
- Demonstrable experience of working in a healthcare setting.
- Understanding of working with patients who are critically and chronically ill.
- Evidence of ongoing professional development
Desirable
- NVQ in Health and Social Care Level 2
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a healthcare setting for a duration long enough to have obtained relevant competencies for a Band 3 position.
- Experience of working with computers (keyboard skills, data entry)
Desirable
- Experience of working with oncology patients
Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
Essential
- Clinical skills (e.g. phlebotomy etc.)
- Evidence of effective interpersonal skills
- Evidence of good organisational skills
- Self-motivated to work under minimal supervision
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Good communication skills, written and verbal
- Ability to remain calm and demonstrate tact and diplomacy whilst under pressure
- Evidence of commitment to customer care initiatives
- Awareness of the importance of patient confidentiality
- Literacy and numeracy skills
- Awareness of health and safety at work (e.g. Manual Handling skills, Infection Control measures)
Desirable
- Understanding of working with patients who are critically and chronically ill
Other
Essential
- Flexibility to meet the needs of the service (e.g. shift work)
- Able to work on both sites and to be flexible to meet the needs of the role
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.
