Clinical Support Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Description

Job title

Clinical Support Assistant

Base

Spires Cleft Lip and Palate Service and Oxford Craniofacial Unit

Grade

Band 3

Hours of work

22.50

Managerial accountability

Network Service Manager (Cleft Service)

Professional accountability

Principal Specialist Speech and Language Therapist

Details of special conditions

Permanent position

Purpose of post

To support the delivery of clinical services within the Spires Cleft team (primarily in speech and language therapy) and in Craniofacial Speech and Language Therapy

Responsibilities:

• To carry out administration tasks related to clinical work: sending patient letters, data input and scanning, patient pathway monitoring, developing and organising resource materials
• To assist the clinical team with audit and research activities for local and national projects
• To assist the clinical team to deliver clinical care to patients by co-ordinating appointments
• To set up speciality specific clinics including checking equipment for use in clinics
• To use creative skills to help with the development, preparation of resources/ equipment for therapeutic activities
• To communicate with parents/ carers ensuring communication is sensitive and tailored to the needs of the individual
• To engage with patients and families, and assist with patient feedback/ questionnaires/assessments
• To work autonomously but acknowledge own limitations/ know when to seek clinical advice
• To assist clinicians and support the delivery of interventions/ assessments
• To contribute to team meetings and take meeting minutes
• To work in a collaborative, and a co-operative manner with other health professionals and relevant agencies
• To help with the organisation of locally/nationally run speech therapy training courses
• To contribute to the wider team discussions re service developments
• To assist with updating Spires Cleft service website and patient information leaflets

Physical, Mental and Emotional requirements for the post

• Ability to use keyboard, transfer notes/ equipment in a folding box trolley, removing/returning files to high shelves and low drawers, occasionally sit on small chairs for short periods of time
• Concentration required e.g., when writing in clinical notes or during treatment sessions
• Emotionally there will be some exposure to distressed families and patients with disabilities by telephone and face to face
• Exposure to unpleasant working environment e.g., occasional exposure to saliva

The management of risk is the responsibility of everyone and will be achieved within a progressive, honest and open environment.

Staff will be provided with the necessary education, training and support to enable them to meet this responsibility.

Staff should be familiar with the:

• Major Incident Policy
• Fire Policy
• Incident Reporting Policy

and should make themselves familiar with the local response plan and their role within that response.

The post holder is responsible for ensuring that all duties and responsibilities of this post are carried out in compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, Statutory Regulations and Trust Policies and Procedures. This will be supported by the provision of training and specialist advice where required.

INFECTION CONTROL

Infection Control is everyones responsibility. All staff, both clinical and non-clinical, are required to adhere to the Trusts Infection Prevention and Control Policies and make every effort to maintain high standards of infection control at all times thereby reducing the burden of Healthcare Associated Infections including MRSA.

All staff employed by the OUH Trust have the following key responsibilities:

• Staff must wash their hands or use alcohol gel on entry and exit from all clinical areas and/or between each patient contact.
• Staff members have a duty to attend mandatory infection control training provided for them by the Trust.
• Staff members who develop an infection (other than common colds and illness) that may be transmittable to patients have a duty to contact Occupational Health.

CHILD PROTECTION

The post holder will endeavour at all times to uphold the rights of children and young people in accordance with the UN Convention Rights of the Child.

SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS

The Trust is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults throughout the organisation. As a member of the trust there is a duty to assist in protecting patients and their families from any form of harm when they are vulnerable.

INFORMATION GOVERNANCE

All staff must complete annual information governance training. If you have a Trust email account this can be completed on-line, otherwise you must attend a classroom session. For further details, go to the Information Governance intranet site.

DATA QUALITY

Data quality is a vital element of every member of staffs job role. The Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals recognises the importance of information in the provision of patient care and in reporting on its performance. Data quality is therefore crucial in ensuring complete, timely and accurate information is available in support of patient care, clinical governance, performance management, service planning, and financial and resource planning and performance.

All staff should ensure that they have read and understood the Trusts Data Quality Policy

Person Specification

Essential

Desirable

Education/Qualifications

5 GCSEs or equivalent

NVQ 3 or equivalent

Experience

Experience of working with children in a health or education setting

Experience of working as part of a team

Experience of working with children or adults with complex needs/ learning disabilities

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

Excellent communication skills and an approachable manner

Effective time management and prioritising skills

Able to work independently and follow through agreed plans

IT literate, competent in Microsoft Office

Willing to learn new systems (manual/ IT)

Ability to travel occasionally to other clinic sites/ meetings regionally and occasionally nationally

Person Specification

Shortlisting

Essential

• 5 GCSE's or equivalent NVQ 3 or equivalent
• Experience of working with children in a health or education setting
• Experience of working as part of a team
• Excellent communication skills and an approachable manner
• Effective time management and prioritising skills
• Competent in Microsoft Office
• Ability to travel to other clinic sites/meetings regionally and occasionally nationally

Desirable

• Experience of working with children or adults with complex needs/ learning disabilities

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Oxford University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

John Radcliffe Hospital

Oxford

OX3 9DU

Employer's website

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