Senior Healthcare Support Worker for Maternity

Job description

Job responsibilities

Work within your scope of practice to maintain quality of care and patient safety. Demonstrate care and compassion to patients, carers, and relatives at all times. Communicate with patients explaining the care to be given. Respect their dignity and gain consent before performing the care activity for the patient. Accept delegated responsibilities for patient care from a Registered Midwife. Competently perform all aspects of care for patients according to individualised patient care plans under direct or indirect supervision of a registered midwife. Which include; toileting, washing and dressing, oral hygiene, eating and drinking, mobilisation (assisting with walking, transferring and repositioning of patients). Communicate and report observed changes to a patients physical/psychological condition to a Midwife. Communicate with all members of the multi-disciplinary team, relaying verbal and written messages promptly to ensure high standards of care are achieved. Be aware of communication barriers, such as: English not being the patients first language; poor sight or hearing; neurodiversity; cognitive delays following strokes. Adapt your communication accordingly. Respond to patient and carers questions, providing information about the care you have given, then escalating to a Registered Midwife for additional information. Respond to emergency situations, raising the alarm and delivering emergency care within your competency boundaries. Accurately document care delivered in the patients healthcare records.

Complete patients observations using appropriate equipment. Demonstrate competence in: Vital signs observations and recording using the MEWS and NEWTT2 scoring system; blood glucose monitoring; urinalysis. Recognise the when these observations are outside of normal/safe limits expected for the patient and reporting to a registered midwife immediately. Perform a range of patient care tasks such as: pregnancy testing; wound observations, dressings, removal of peripheral cannula; removal of catheter; changing of stoma bags and report any issues to the Registered Nurse. Senior MCSW working in maternity and neonatal environments will be able to complete maternal and neonatal observations

Accept accountability and responsibility for delegated tasks from a Registered Midwife. Be polite and courteous, respecting all hospital staff, patients and visitors who come to the Trust. Use effective communication that supports patients, families and staff. Actively participate in team work to create an effective nursing and multidisciplinary team.

Assist with the induction, supervision, training and development of Band 2 Healthcare Assistants under the supervision of a registered nurse. Welcome all students and learners to the team and involve them in the care activities you deliver.

Hold the Care Certificate Following a yearly appraisal, complete identified education and training Complete mandatory and statutory training and updates on time to maintain patient safety. Undertake training and complete competencies records relevant to clinical skills required to care for the patient in the ward/clinical area and service. Attend education and training events that support your role development Complete coursework to fulfil training course requirements within the timeframes set by the trainers. Act as a link MCSW and share knowledge with the wider team.

Maintain confidentiality at all times. When inputting information into patients records, comply with the Data protection Act, Caldicott Guidance and local policy. Follow Trust policies and procedures to maintain safe working practices for patients and colleagues. Adhere to departmental procedures for the use of supplies and equipment to promote effective and efficient use of resources. Share responsibilities for key aspects of housekeeping and stock control, demonstrating good awareness of cost efficiency and safety. Undertake routine and regular checks of ward/clinical unit equipment, to ensure it is clean and in good working order. Assist in Nursing and Clinical audits as directed.

Person Specification

Qualifications and training

Essential

• Holds GCSE A-C or level 2 equivalent in Maths and English
• Completed Care Certificate
• Holds a level 3 qualification in Health & Social Care or equivalent

Desirable

• Knowledge of care and related procedures, skill in clinical observations, knowledge of relevant legislation; short courses to undertake patient and clinical care duties, completion of a competency-based workbook

Clinical skills and experience

Essential

• Experience of working with people ideally in front line patient care
• Basic computer/keyboard skills

Desirable

• Previous experience as an HCSW in an acute hospital

Governance

Essential

• Adheres to Trust policies
• Will comply with the Data Protection Act, CNORIS, Caldicott Guidelines and local policies regarding confidentiality and access to medical records.
• Act on the responsibilities placed upon them under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, to ensure that the agreed safety procedures are carried out to maintain a safe working environment for patients, visitors and employees

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

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

William Harvey Hospital

Kennington Road

Ashford

TN24 0LZ

Employer's website

https://www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/ (Opens in a new tab)