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.
