Job summary
An exciting opportunity has risen for a healthcare support worker to join our busy haematology department at the North Middlesex University Hospital.
We are committed to equality and diversity which includes staff education and progress is our pinnacle. Support and continued professional development will be given to the successful candidate. We are looking for an individual with good communication skills, team player, enthusiastic and to assist the nurses to provide a high standard of care to our patients.
Main duties of the job
- The Heath Care Assistant (HCA) is an integral member of the team in the Haematology Day unit caring for a variety of patients who attend the unit for clinical procedures, assessments, and pain management. The post-holder will be responsible for supporting the nursing staff by assisting with clinical duties as well as administrative duties as directed by the registered nursing staff.
- The HCA will assist the nursing team in this fast-paced unit by supporting the management and coordination of all patients who attend for, treatment and haematology reviews within the department.
- The HCA role is essential for the smooth running of haematology day unit; the post holder will demonstrate flexibility and good communication skills. Working closely with the nursing and Haematology medical teams within the department. The post holder will also have the opportunity to learn new skills and even care for their own patient case load under the supervision of the nursing team.
About us
NMUH North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Hospital Trust (NMUH) is one of London's busiest healthcare providers, providing hospital care and community services for the 350,000 people living in Enfield, Haringey and beyond. Our specialist services include HIV, cardiology, blood disorders, diabetes, fertility, sickle cell and thalassemia. In addition to a full range of cancer diagnosis and treatment services, the Helen Rollason Cancer Support Centre is based on-site and provides services to support cancer patients' wellbeing. We also provide community services and have a dedicated 0-19 service for children and young people in Enfield so that they can get the best possible start in life. This includes health visitors and school nurses who are delivering the national Healthy Child Programme, which provides a structured framework for the delivery of key interventions to support the health and wellbeing of children and families from 0 to 5 and school aged children from 5-19. The 0-19 service aims to improve pathways and partnerships with services in the hospital and deliver excellent care for the children and families. For more information, please access the following link: https://www.northmid.nhs.uk/
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Monitoring and recording patients vital signs (including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, oxygen saturation) and reporting any abnormal results to registered nursing staff.
- Measuring and recording patients height and weight.
- Checking patients MRSA or Covid 19 status on arrival to the Day Unit, under the supervision of senior nursing colleagues and screening patients if required.
- Checking patients identification on arrival to Haematology Day unit and allergy status.
- Performing venepuncture, venous blood sampling and cannulation.
- Undertakes clinical tasks relevant to the patients in haematology day unit, following competency sign off, for example, ECG, urinalysis, MRSA screening swabs, recording of allergies on EPR, venepuncture and cannulation.
- Assists the nursing staff with the smooth running of clinics or the unit. Escorting and chaperoning patients where applicable.
- Demonstrates an understanding of infection control issues including attendance at mandatory training: an understanding of policy and procedure and accept responsibility for their own infection control practice and a willingness to challenge others practice.
- Demonstrates an understanding of nursing care plans and utilises them in line with trust policy and procedure.
- Understands the dietary needs of patients and utilises diet charts and fluid balance charts appropriately. Working alongside and liaising with members of the MDT as appropriate.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Monitoring and recording patients vital signs (including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, oxygen saturation) and reporting any abnormal results to registered nursing staff.
- Measuring and recording patients height and weight.
- Checking patients MRSA or Covid 19 status on arrival to the Day Unit, under the supervision of senior nursing colleagues and screening patients if required.
- Checking patients identification on arrival to Haematology Day unit and allergy status.
- Performing venepuncture, venous blood sampling and cannulation.
- Undertakes clinical tasks relevant to the patients in haematology day unit, following competency sign off, for example, ECG, urinalysis, MRSA screening swabs, recording of allergies on EPR, venepuncture and cannulation.
- Assists the nursing staff with the smooth running of clinics or the unit. Escorting and chaperoning patients where applicable.
- Demonstrates an understanding of infection control issues including attendance at mandatory training: an understanding of policy and procedure and accept responsibility for their own infection control practice and a willingness to challenge others practice.
- Demonstrates an understanding of nursing care plans and utilises them in line with trust policy and procedure.
- Understands the dietary needs of patients and utilises diet charts and fluid balance charts appropriately. Working alongside and liaising with members of the MDT as appropriate.
Person Specification
Education and qualifications
Essential
- NVQ in Health & Social Care
Desirable
- Cavendish Care Certificate
Skills and abilities
Essential
- Good communication skills
- Good organisational skills
- IT skills (ability to enter patient data onto computer records)
- Literacy and numeracy skills
Desirable
- Knowledge of NEWs score
- Midlines insertion
Personal qualities
Desirable
- Self-motivated
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Patience and understanding of patient's needs
- Ability to work under pressure
- Awareness of patient confidentiality
- Flexibility to meet service needs (eg shift work, covering other departments)
Values
Essential
- Demonstrable ability to meet Trust values
Experience
Essential
- Understanding of working with patients who are critically and chronically ill
- Previous experience of working in a hospital setting
- Phlebotomy and cannulation experience
- Awareness of health and safety at work (eg manual handling, infection control)
Person Specification
Education and qualifications
Essential
- NVQ in Health & Social Care
Desirable
- Cavendish Care Certificate
Skills and abilities
Essential
- Good communication skills
- Good organisational skills
- IT skills (ability to enter patient data onto computer records)
- Literacy and numeracy skills
Desirable
- Knowledge of NEWs score
- Midlines insertion
Personal qualities
Desirable
- Self-motivated
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Patience and understanding of patient's needs
- Ability to work under pressure
- Awareness of patient confidentiality
- Flexibility to meet service needs (eg shift work, covering other departments)
Values
Essential
- Demonstrable ability to meet Trust values
Experience
Essential
- Understanding of working with patients who are critically and chronically ill
- Previous experience of working in a hospital setting
- Phlebotomy and cannulation experience
- Awareness of health and safety at work (eg manual handling, infection control)
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.
