Healthcare Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main purpose of job:

- Protect and support the health of individual patients and ensure that the emotional and clinical needs of the Gamma Knife patients are met

- Provide information to patients and their carers, with particular reference to the technical aspects of Gamma Knife treatment and post treatment care. This includes explaining complex issues to patients who may have no previous knowledge of Gamma Knife, using highly developed communication skills when barriers to understanding and communication may exist.

- Participate in all aspects of patient care during the Gamma Knife treatment day, including: cannulation support, assisting with frame fitting, , treatment positioning, frame removal, general nursing care, observations etc. and complete necessary paperwork from admission to discharge. Appropriate training will be given, where required

- Continual assessment of patients during the treatment day

- Support manual handling process, resuscitation and crash calls for the department

- Provide patients with post-treatment advice, handover and discharge information

- Where appropriate, contact patients via telephone to provide admission details and treatment information

- Where appropriate, provide follow-up telephone calls to patients and ensure appropriate follow-up appointments are made

- Infection Control support role to clinical service

- Support the patient pathways by liaising closely with other departments and hospitals

- Respond to difficult situations in a calm and practical manner, assisted by the Radiographers. This may involve assisting the Radiographer, and following emergency procedures to reach a safe outcome and provide optimum care

- Follow the Quality Management System framework and report any accidents and incidents by following the reporting policies to the Radiography team and any other relevant personnel

- Infection Control: decontamination of surfaces, equipment, disassemble frames and send for/collect from sterilisation

- Check stock / request medical supplies, where required

- Participate fully in high quality audit processes

- Assist the Radiography team in evaluating and improving processes by using high quality audits, annual policy review and critically reviewing new evidence to ensure development of clinical practice

- Assist in data collation to support business and clinical development

Main Areas of Responsibility:

- Ensure efficient, accurate and patient-focused care

- Evaluate the patients condition, drawing on expert knowledge and experience to intervene, where necessary.

- Ensure that Consent for the treatment is obtained prior to frame-fitting.

- Use excellent communication skills to provide and receive highly confidential, sensitive and complicated patient information. The HCA must seek and maintain patients cooperation and trust in order to support them through a seamless pathway

- Use knowledge and experience to converse effectively with patients and families from diverse age, ethnicity, social, and mental health backgrounds

- Develop key-working relationships with all members of the multi-professional team, including radiographer, medical staff, allied health professionals and support workers

- To report to the Lead and Senior Radiographers & Clinical Services Manager

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• - Compassion, respect for patient dignity, strong communication skills (written & verbal)
• - Experience or interest in stereotactic radiosurgery or neurology settings
• - Competent in basic observations, able to recognise and report changes - Trained in sterile technique, venepuncture, cannulation
• - Reliable, organised, team-oriented with a good understanding of H&S and infection control
• - Prior HCA experience in radiotherapy or advanced procedures

Knowledge and skills

Essential

• - Willingness to attend training, participate in audits, and support continuous improvement
• - Competency in data entry systems and basic IT (e.g., electronic records)

Qualifications

Essential

• - GCSE grade A to C in English and Maths
• - Qualified to NVQ level 3 in Health and Social Care

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Amethyst Radiotherapy

Address

Gamma Knife Centre

The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery

London

WC1N 3GB

Employer's website

https://amethyst-radiotherapy.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)