Healthcare Assistant AMU, WRH

Job description

Job responsibilities

Risk Assessment:

The post involves manual handling activities, exposure to bodily fluids and exposure to high noise levels.

It may also involve exposure to challenging behaviour.

Job Purpose:

The Care Assistant is a member of the ward/department team who implements prescribed care and/or undertakes activities as directed by a registered nurse.

Additional aspects of care

Assisting with the recording and safe keeping of patients property/valuables.

Moving and repositioning of patients.

Dressing/undressing of patients.

Making of occupied and unoccupied beds, tying up of dirty linen bags and despatching to laundry.

Cleaning and tidying examination rooms/clinic areas.

Replenishing of linen or stock cupboards.

Assist with patients mobilisation, ensuring safe environment and using appropriate techniques.

Accompany able patients to other departments.

Assist with occupational, physiotherapy and recreational activities.

Assist in the care of relatives and visitors.

Assist with the care of patients in isolation.

Chaperone professional staff where appropriate.

Measuring body temperature, pulse rate and respiration and completing the necessary documentation.

Measuring patients height and weight as directed by a registered nurse and recording on the appropriate documentation.

Be involved in patient booking in/ admission, introducing patients to ward/department area as directed by registered nurse.

Be adaptable and flexible to working in various areas of the department/ward as required.

Assist the multi professional team to prepare and support patients undergoing treatment and/or investigation maintaining privacy and dignity at all times.

Assisting in the care of the dying patient, for example bathing, feeding.

Assisting in preparing deceased patients for the mortuary.

Communication and relationships

The Healthcare Assistants relationship with both staff and patients should be discreet, bearing in mind that all information regarding patients must be kept confidential.

Report to the nurse in charge of the ward/department matters of concern relating to patients and the ward/department environment environment.

Answer the telephone, refer to appropriate person.

Attend ward/department reports and meetings when appropriate.

Be aware of the need to greet visitors to the ward/department and ascertain the purpose of their visit.

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of health and safety at work in order to maintain a safe environment.

Undertake duties outside your working area (e.g. delivery and collection) to assist in maintaining good communications.

To ensure the privacy and dignity of patients at all times.

Vision and Values:

The Trust aims to provide local services for local people. It has developed its vision to reflect this commitment.

To continue to be the major provider of acute/specialist services for the people of Worcestershire (and wider) with a strong reputation for providing outstanding, high quality, reliable, accessible and integrated healthcare for local people

Driving this commitment are the Trust-wide signature behaviours:

Do what we say we will do

No Delays, every day

We listen, we learn, we lead

Work together, celebrate together

Competence

The post holder is responsible for limiting his / her actions to those which s/he feels competent to undertake. If the post holder has any doubts as to his or her competence during the course of his / her duties then s/he should immediately speak to their line manager or supervisor.

Codes of conduct

All employees of the Trust who are required to be registered with a professional body, to enable them to practise within their profession, are required to comply with their code of conduct and requirements of their professional registration. Those staff that are not required to be registered with a professional body are required to comply with the Trusts codes of conduct.

Confidentiality

The post holder must maintain confidentiality, security and integrity of information relating to patients, staff and other Health Service business.

Records Management

All employees of the Trust are legally responsible for all records that they gather, create or use as part of their work within the Trust (including patient, financial, personnel and administrative), whether paper or computer based. All such records are considered public records and all employees have a legal duty of confidence to service users. Employees should consult their manager if they have any doubt as to the correct management of records with which they work.Health and SafetyEmployees must be aware of the responsibilities placed on them under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and the Manual Handling Operations Regulations (1992) and all relevant Trust Health and Safety Policies and Guidance. This ensures that the agreed safety procedures are carried out to maintain a safe environment for employees, patients and visitors to the Trust.

Infection Control

Employees must accept personal responsibility and accountability for Infection Prevention and Control practice. Employees should ensure they are familiar with, and comply with, all relevant Infection Control policies for minimising the risk of avoidable Health Care Associated Infection. All Employees must undertake annual mandatory updates in Infection Control.

Risk Management

It is a standard element of the role and responsibility of all employees of the Trust that they fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, taking appropriate actions, and reporting all incidents, near misses, and hazards promptly. It is a contractual obligation that all employees must co-operate with any investigations undertaken.

Children and vulnerable adults

You have a responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of the children / young people / vulnerable adults that you come into contact with or are responsible for in your job role and sphere of competence.

Disclosure and Barring Service

The Trust aims to promote equality of opportunity for all, with the right mix of talent, skills and potential. Criminal records will be taken into account for recruitment purposes, only when the conviction is relevant. As the Trust meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, all applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings, as well as convictions. Postholders may periodically be asked to undertake a re-check.

The Trust is legally required to check all staff against the Disclosures and Barring Services Childrens and Vulnerable Adults barring lists if they engage in what is defined as Regulated Activity or Controlled Activity: Regulated Activity is defined as working closely with children or vulnerable adults, paid or unpaid, on a frequent or intensive basis. Controlled activity is work that provides opportunities for contact with children or vulnerable adults.

Equality and Diversity

The Trust promotes policies and practices that challenge discrimination, promote equality, respect individual needs, preferences and choices, and protects human rights. The Trust has a clear commitment to equality for all in employment practices based on an applicants ability, skills and aptitude for the post. A range of equality & diversity policy initiatives are in place and all successful applicants are expected to familiarise themselves with these. It is therefore the duty of every employee to comply with the detail and spirit of these policies and the law at all times. Any issues or concerns you have should be taken up with your manager or the human resource team as soon as possible.

Dignity

All employees must treat each person as an individual, offering a personalised service respecting peoples dignity and modesty at all times.

Conflict of Interest

The Trust is responsible for ensuring that the service provided for patients and its care meet the highest standard. Equally, it is responsible for ensuring that staff do not abuse their official position for personal gain or to benefit their family or friends. The Trusts Standing Orders require any member of staff to declare any interest, direct or indirect, with contracts involving the Trust. Staff are not allowed to further their private interests in the course of their NHS duties.

Person Specification

Knowledge and skills

Essential

• Able to communicate effectively in English.
• Proficient in reading and writing in the English language.
• Attention to detail.

Desirable

• Ability to identify personal development needs.
• Ability to adapt to new situations
• Awareness of Health and Safety.
• Awareness of Clinical Risk
• Knowledge of principles of speciality

Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ 2/3 in Direct Care or equivalent.

Desirable

• First Aid Qualification, ECG and/or Venepuncture training

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in a nursing team.
• Knowledge of confidentiality.

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

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Charles Hastings Way

Worcester

Worcestershire

WR5 1DD

Employer's website

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