Senior Clinical Support Worker

Job description

Job responsibilities

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Communication and Working Relationship

Establish and maintain effective communication with patients, families, carers and patient groups

Develop and maintain appropriate relationships, communication and teamwork with members of the multi-disciplinary team within the ward/department

Assist in the welcome and reception of patients into the clinical area

Demonstrate a variety of communication skills with patients who may have communication needs and difficulties e.g. confusion, dementia or other linguistic issues

Communicate effectively with all health, social care providers, voluntary sectors and emergency services

Maintain clear, concise and legible documentation adhering to standards in accordance with Trust policies and guidance

Ensure compliance with Trust policies and procedures regarding confidentiality of data and data security

Communicate with colleagues and members of the multi-disciplinary team clearly and effectively in written, verbal and electronic format (this may include accessing and updating patient records on central databases or electronic systems).

Participate in and contribute to local audits (e.g. hand hygiene audit)

Escalate concerns with regards to patients physical or psychological needs, or changes in their clinical condition to a registered practitioner within appropriate time frames

Effective use of communication skills when responding to patients, relatives or carers concerns and complaints, contributing to the ward, unit or department team action plan to achieve local resolution.

Ensures, in liaison with registered practitioners that interpreters are utilised as appropriate to support patients understanding and communication needs.

Ability to answer phone, effectively managing the enquiry

Clinical Responsibilities

Provide and deliver a high standard of compassionate nursing care recognising and meeting the specific needs of the patients

Following training and assessment, competently undertake clinical activities relevant to the post and clinical area as agreed

Acknowledge any limitations of competence in accepting care activities outside agreed limitations and inform a registered practitioner

Assist in planning, implementation and evaluation of individual programmes of care for patients

Document interventions performed and care delivered, ensuring that record is countersigned by a registered practitioner where appropriate.

Assist in the recording of fluid balance, reporting discrepancies to a registered practitioner.

Assist the patient with all aspects of their personal hygiene.

Assist in the safe moving and handling of all patients utilising appropriate equipment.

Assist the patient with their elimination needs; including bowel and urinary catheter care.

Provide care for patients with reduced mobility; to include skin integrity, pressure area care and measurement and application of anti-embolic stockings

Assist in ensuring patients nutritional needs are met.

Carry out clinical observations on patients, recognising, recording and reporting abnormalities and changes in patients condition to the registered practitioner

Utilise early warning score indicators (e.g. NEWS) to recognise any patient deterioration/sudden change in condition, reporting immediately to the registered practitioner.

Prepare and undertake interventions consistent with evidence based practice, through applying knowledge and skills to determine nature of the clinical care intervention required to meet patients requirements for care.

Assist in the provision of patient centred enhanced care, utilising a range of therapeutic interventions based on the enhanced care risk assessment. Reporting any deterioration, or changes in condition to the registered practitioner.

Evaluate and review the effect of any interventions and the patients agreed plan of care and report outcomes of interventions to the registered practitioner.

Collect equipment for clinical procedures as directed by the registered practitioner. Safely dispose of equipment, post procedure, restocking where appropriate

Assist in safe and appropriate use and maintenance of equipment

Assist in the correct handling and dispatch of specimens

Safe disposal of soiled linen and clinical waste from the ward or department

Participate in the process of involving relatives and or carers in the provision of patient care

Contribute to the psychological and or spiritual needs of patients using diversionary and comfort measures as appropriate

Acts as a chaperone as per chaperone policy.

Assist in the performing of last offices for deceased patients.

Undertake the escort of patients to other departments and ward as instructed by a registered practitioner

Organise and prioritise time effectively

Undertake duties on different wards, departments or clinical areas as and when required by service demands or patient need.

Act in such a way that safeguards the health and wellbeing of children & vulnerable adults at all times. Is familiar with and adheres to, the LTHT safeguarding policies.

Other Responsibilities

Participate in the use of the Leeds Improvement Method to improve the quality and safety of the service.

Contribute to the prevention and control of infection in line with Trust guidelines

Assist in maintenance of accurate records and documentation, with regard to legal requirements, confidentiality and management of information.

Ensure that essential information on the patients condition and progress is recorded in accordance with Trust guidelines

Understand the need to maintain and respect patient confidentiality

Promote and value the rights, responsibilities and diversity of people ensuring religious and cultural needs are addressed

Education, Health, Safety and Security

Ensure safe keeping and transportation of patient property and valuables in accordance with Trust policy.

Recognise the importance of health education and teaching of patients and their carers and inform senior staff where this might be required

Ensure equipment and resources are used appropriately, efficiently and economically

Maintain a safe working environment, reporting incidents, accidents, complaints according to Trust policy.

Participate in in-service training

Complete annual mandatory and priority training requirements within agreed timescales

Participate in own and others annual performance appraisal

Supervision and leadership

Will be expected to lead a team of clinical support workers on a shift by shift basis

Will be expected to contribute to mentorship and appraisal of junior staff.

Raise concerns with regards to risk, danger, malpractice or wrong doing by following the LTHT Whistleblowing policy and supporting processes.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ 3 in Health and Social Care
• Diploma in Health Level 3, Diploma in Health and Social Care
• Level 3 or equivalent health care related qualification
• The Care Certificate or in the absence of this the jobholder must successfully attain the Care Certificate within the first 3 months of employment

Desirable

• Basic skills Maths and English Level 2 (equivalent of GCSE 4-9 (A*-C))

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience of working within a healthcare setting delivering personal and clinical care.
• Utilisation of planning and organisational skills
• Insight into roles responsibilities of post.
• Basic IT skills.

Desirable

• Significant experience of working in an acute health care setting delivering personal and clinical care.
• Significant experience of working within the speciality or department.

Additional Requirements

Essential

• Able to fulfil Occupational Health requirements for the post (with reasonable adjustments if necessary), including clearance on blood borne viruses in compliance with Trust Policy
• Ability to travel in between Trust premises and patient homes for posts that involve community visits.

Skills & behaviours

Essential

• Caring and motivated
• Courageous
• Reliable and trustworthy
• Interpersonal skills, confident and enthusiastic
• Willingness to learn and develop their 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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Address

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF

Employer's website

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