Healthcare Support Worker (Emergency Department)

Job summary

Please note that we are unable to provide Sponsorship for our Healthcare Assistant and Support Worker roles.

The Band 2 Health Care Support Worker (HCSW) plays a vital role in supporting the delivery of high-quality, safe, and compassionate care to patients attending the Emergency Department (ED). Working under the supervision of registered Nurses and as part of the wider multidisciplinary team, the post holder will contribute to the effective running of the department by supporting patients with their fundamental care needs and assisting clinical staff in delivering timely care.

The Emergency Department is a fast-paced and often challenging environment, caring for patients of all ages with a wide range of acute illnesses, injurie,s and complex needs. The HCSW is expected to demonstrate flexibility, resilience, and professionalism, while maintaining dignity, privacy, and respect for all patients at all times.

Key responsibilities include assisting with personal care, supporting patient mobility, undertaking routine observations as delegated, maintaining a safe and clean clinical environment, and ensuring patients are kept informed and supported during their ED journey. The post holder will also support patient flow by assisting with transfers, restocking clinical areas, and responding promptly to patient needs.

The role requires effective communication skills, the ability to work well within a team,

Main duties of the job

• Work under the supervision of a registered nurse in implementing plans and care to ensure the patient physical, social and psychological needs are met
• Act as a patient advocate, assisting when required with examinations
• Minimise the risk of harm to patients, staff and visitors by working according to the Trust risk management policy
• Assist with the Trust's policy around referring patients to the Smoking Cessation service
• Work to eliminate avoidable infection by working according to Infection control policies
• Demonstrates consistent high standard of hand hygiene practice and promote standards to staff, patients and relatives
• Undertake clinical skills ensuring procedures are explained to patient first in order to gain informed consent and involvement in care decisions including undertaking and accurately recording vital signs

About us

We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five hospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 695,000 people.

Our vision is 'great healthcare from great people'. Everything we do is guided by our values: 'People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference'.

We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called 'We care'. It's about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day-to-day. We're looking for compassionate people to be part of our improvement journey for the patients, families and carers we care for every day.

NHSEI have always been clear that staff have a professional duty to get vaccinated and it remains our best line of defence against COVID-19. As such NHS organisation including Primary Care, are encouraged to continue engaging with and supporting their staff to inform their decisions in order to drive vaccine confidence, protect themselves, patients, and everyone else. NHSEI has produced COVID-19 vaccine communication materials.

Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.