Ward Assistant, Ward 16

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key Duties

Communication

When required greet patients and visitors to the area being mindful for good relationships between patients, staff and relatives.

Communicate effectively with other team members.

Work as part of the ward team to ensure the continual provision of the highest possible standards of service.

Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising their needs for alternative methods of communication.

Co-ordinate any special dietary requirements patients meals and ensure patients have access to information about the out of hours menu information and communicate with the Catering Department.

To liaise with maintenance staff to ensure that equipment is in working order.

Demonstrate how to use the bed head telephone and communication system, and ensure these are maintained in accordance with agreed protocols.

Handle individual patient requests as they arise.

Organise and update notice boards as appropriate.

Ensure written patient information is in date and given to patients when appropriate.

Maintain a high standard of personal behaviour and ensure effective communication with all members of the multidisciplinary team, patients carers and relatives.

Act as a point of contact for ward based volunteers, providing local induction and day to day guidance.

Personal and people development

Take responsibility for leading and co-ordinating the domestic staff on a day to day basis.

Take responsibility for personal updating and development, including mandatory training Development Review Process.

Take responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal development.

Participate in the Trust Appraisal System.

Work with management on any new training requirements.

Demonstrate skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work.

Ensure that Patients information booklets are always available on the locker.

Health, safety and security

Infection Control:

Ensure Infection Control Polices in relation to universal / standard precautions are applied at all times.

Promote the prevention of cross infection to and from all patients, visitors staff and the environment.

Ensure that the cleaning standards meet agreed levels, and that any shortfalls are dealt with quickly.

Oversee and monitor the need for cleaning of equipment liaising with the Infection Control Team and Domestic Team.

Following patient discharge, ensure bed areas are cleaned appropriately and equipped in preparation for the next patient.

Ensuring use of bed space checklist.

General Issues:

Ensure the ward is tidy and clutter free throughout, and that doors to non -patient areas remain closed at all times.

Participate in the use of environmental checklists and cleaning audits in line with Trust policy.

Monitor the general environment and organize and co-ordinate any repairs and follow up outstanding work as necessary.

Liaise with maintenance staff to ensure that equipment is in working order.

In line with the Trusts Incident Reporting system. Report any accidents, incidents, near misses and defects to the nurse in charge.

Order and receive stock including pharmacy where appropriate and maintaining appropriate levels.

Service improvement

Carry out Ward Audits, monitoring of quality standards, develop action plan and track progress as required.

Responsible for utilising the Trusts I-Procurement solution to raise requisitions, deliveries and resolve notifications in line with the Trusts procurement policy.

Responsible for the receipt and quality check of linen received on the ward.

Communicate with the linen services as the need arises to resolve any problems with the ward linen supply.

Order consumables and other supplies and liaise with the logistics team, ensuring that all supplies are correctly stored and used in rotation, and that storage systems are maintained in a clean condition.

Liaise with supplies and materials handling staff as appropriate to ensure that the process is as efficient as possible, resolving any problems that may arise.

Responsible for maintain departmental store cupboards in line with Trust guidance in a tidy, clean and concise manner. Responsible for monitoring, managing and maintaining stock replenishment.

Quality

Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk in the care of patients.

Work as part of the ward team to ensure the continual provision of the highest possible standards of service.

To manage own time effectively.

Ensure own actions are consistent with clinical governance systems.

Equality and diversity

Be mindful of issues of culture, religion, ensuring privacy and dignity with patients.

Products to meet health and wellbeing needs

Ensure that patients are provided with an ad hoc beverage service and assist as appropriate including collection, preparation and distribution of water jugs and glasses.

Comply with requirements of Food Hygiene, Health and Safety legislation and local guidelines including the strict control of temperature at food is stored.

Ensure that protected mealtimes for patients are encouraged and adhered to.

Work with the ward teams to prepare patients to receive their food, prepare table / dining area, enabling patients to wash their hands and ensuring there is adequate and appropriate cutlery, and that the patient can reach the meal.

Work with the ward teams serve food, and clear away following the meal, advising nursing staff if patients have not eaten.

To ensure patients are assisted appropriately and food is served in a form which they can eat, i.e. cutting up food and opening packages.

To ensure Nursing assistance is provided for patients who cannot feed themselves.

Information Process

Ensure that ward cleaning schedules are maintained and reviewed.

Ensure that patient and relative confidentiality is not compromised at any time.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Previous experience in hospitality, Customer facing or care environment.
• Previous experience of working in a team

Desirable

• Supervisory experience in the NHS or similar environment.
• Previous experience of undertaking a housekeeper role.

Qualifications

Essential

• GCSE Grade C or above in English, Maths or equivalent

Desirable

• NVQ or equivalent in relevant subject.
• Basic Food Hygiene Certificate

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Good telephone and reception manner
• Self-motivated.
• Ability to communicate with staff, patients and visitors.
• Ability to motivate others.
• Ability to work on own initiative and meet deadlines

Other job requirements

Essential

• Bank Holiday / Weekend working as required by the Department.
• Working with hazardous chemicals.
• Able to work flexibly during working hours to cover department needs.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• The candidate must have knowledge of the following or be prepared to undertake the relevant training:
• -Basic Health and Safety
• -Infection Control
• -Manual Handling
• -Basic Food Hygiene
• -Customer Care Skills
• -Good Self-organisational skills

Desirable

• Basic Keyboard skills.
• Knowledge of the NHS Standards of Cleanliness

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

The Alexandra Hospital

Woodrow Drive

Redditch

Worcestershire

B987UB

Employer's website

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