Job responsibilities
Communication
Communicate clearly, effectively and appropriately with the multidisciplinary team, patients and their family/visitors/carers Respond appropriately to queries, take phone messages, and pass on written and verbal information to patients Provide basic information to patients, family/visitors/carers and colleagues Aware of the importance of accurate documentation and contribute to reports of patients activity and progress Accept constructive feedback Give constructive feedback to colleagues Participate in discussions about patient care and departmental development, including handover and team meetings Maintain patient confidentiality Maintain professional boundaries and working relationships with patients and colleagues
Education and professional development
Understand own level of responsibility and accountability in relation to trained staff Identify own learning needs and produce a personal development plan in conjunction with the department nurse manager Participate in annual staff appraisal, staff development and in-service training activities in line with the Knowledge and Skills Framework Attend Trust/local orientation, mandatory training sessions and annual updates Take part in reflection and appropriate learning from practice, in order to maintain and develop competence and performance
Risk and governance management
Assist in maintaining a clean environment that is conducive to safe practice Report any issues at work that may put health, safety and security at risk Summon immediate help for any emergency and take appropriate action to contain it Understand the principles and practice of Infection Control as per trust policy Work within own personal/professional limitations and seek help of others to maintain safe practice. Identify potential risks for all staff, patients and visitors and assist with relevant incident reporting procedures
Clean patient equipment as required Handle and dispose of all body fluids in accordance with trust policyService development
Undertake administrative and clerical tasks associated with patient care to facilitate the smooth running of the department Maintain adequate levels of stock, equipment and materials and facilitate the efficient, effective use of resources; report when availability falls below an acceptable standard or level Pass on constructive views and ideas for improving services to the department nurse manager Ensure a welcoming, caring and safe environment is provided for the patient and their family/visitors/carers Aware of and maintains required standard of care Ensure that patient areas are kept clean and tidy Comply with Trust/local policies and procedures Carry out duties and responsibilities with regard to the Trusts Equal Opportunity policy Recognise the importance of peoples rights and act in accordance with legislation, policies and procedures Act in ways that acknowledge and recognise peoples expressed beliefs, preferences and choices; respecting diversity and valuing people as individuals Take account of own behaviour and its effect on others
Professional and clinical responsibilities
Maintain and improve the patients mobility using appropriate equipment and handling techniques Assist the patient to be as comfortable as possible, i.e., help with moving and positioning the patient using appropriate equipment Assist with checking pain levels and requesting pain relieving medication on patients behalf Involve the patient in shared decision-making and obtain their consent before undertaking nursing procedures Prepare appropriately for the activity to be undertaken Support and encourage the patient to meet their own health and wellbeing needs
Undertake care activities to meet individuals health and wellbeing needs, once competence demonstrated:
Work co-operatively as part of the multi-disciplinary team, helping nursing, midwifery and other clinical staff in routine work associated with patient care Support qualified nurses in the implementation of programmes of care within the limits of the Healthcare Assistants knowledge and competence Provide comfort, reassurance, and support to patients and/or their carers if anxious or distressed Providing care for the deceased patient Assist with essential patient care, e.g., making beds / examination couches, sorting clean linen, ensuring areas are kept clean and tidy etc.
Assist patients to become as independent as possible by giving the appropriate level of support as delegated and under supervision Maintain patients personal and oral hygiene, e.g. help with dressing / undressing, giving washes Help patients to move and assist with pressure area care / awareness of SSKIN bundle Documents patient care in line with agreed competencies Escort patients to other departments, including observation where intravenous infusions or oxygen are being administered Chaperone patients & document in patient record Have a basic understanding of special dietary needs and implications for the patients condition Ensure adequate hydration and nutritional intake including support with feeding patients Record accurately intake and output, e.g., food and fluid charts, informing registered staff where deficit is observed Record routine observations as designated by the nurse in charge (following training and having been assessed as competent, e.g. TPR and BP, urinalysis, ECG, blood glucose monitoring) Assist patients to access and use appropriate toilet facilities, ensuring privacy and dignity are maintained. Support patients to maintain continence Alert trained staff promptly of changes in the patients condition or any possible risksCarry out clinical procedure as required under supervision and where service requires:
Complete and record routine vital signs as designated by registered staff (following training and having been assessed as competent, e.g., TPR, BP, AVPU, oxygen saturation, ECG, blood glucose monitoring, venepuncture and cannulation) Completion of simple wound dressings, cannula, and catheter removal Alert registered staff promptly of changes in the patients condition or any potential risks Carry out other clinical procedures following training and competencies specific to specialist areas Set up specialist instruments and clinical equipment, Supporting the multi-disciplinary team when undertaking invasive procedures'
Information management
Able to use IT (Information Technology) at a basic level to input and retrieve information Competence in appropriate use of electronic patient records following training.
