Health Care Support Worker - Bank

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title:                              Health Care Assistant                                          

Band:                                    Local Pay Rates                                        

Department:                        Bank – Cross sites.

Reporting Relationships

Reports directly to: Ward Manager or Nurse in charge of duty

Responsible to: Temporary Staffing Manager   

Role of Department

As a team, promotes and ensures the best possible care for patients in an organised and safe environment.  Working across 3 sites on an ad hoc basis.

Main Purpose of Job

Under the direction of the Ward Manager carries out assigned tasks to ensure a high standard of patient care and that individual patient care needs are met.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• The Health Care Assistant is responsible for any action undertaken in the course of duty and is aware of his/her responsibilities and reports promptly to appropriate personnel any matter that falls outside these responsibilities.


• The Health Care Assistant is responsible for ensuring they understand any jobs delegated to them by Registered Nurses and that they are carrying out these tasks under the staff nurses registration and accountability.


• Behaves in a manner appropriate to the clinical setting, and respects the authority of the qualified person in charge.


• Must respect each patient’s individuality and assist them in maintaining their identity, dignity and independence and safety.


• Is aware that any information regarding patients, their social circumstances, conditions or treatment is confidential and must remain so.


• Is sensitive to the needs of patients, relatives and other members of the multi-disciplinary team.

After initial shadowing/voluntary shifts and after already having a minimum of 6 months experience - be able to undertake the following tasks as allocated to ensure that patients individual needs are met:

1. Assist with, and ensure that patients maintain personal hygiene, in the following ways:-must be aware of patients oral hygiene needs and how to meet them, assists with washing, bathing or showering as necessary, assists in the care of finger nails (not toe nails unless training completed), and assists patients in the care of their hair.

1. Must be aware of methods preventing pressure area breakdown.

1. Supervise and assist patients with dressing as necessary, and maintain their clothes in good order.

1. Make beds, both occupied and unoccupied.

1. Can record and document patient temp/Blood Pressure/Pulse/Respiratory Rate/O2 Sats/Blood sugar Measurements.  Is aware of what is normal and what is abnormal. Will report any abnormalities to a qualified person.

1. Weigh patients and chart as appropriate.

1. Communicate any changes observed in the condition of the patient to a qualified member of staff.

1. Be aware of patient’s elimination needs, and give appropriate assistance.  Record and chart bladder and bowel movements as appropriate.

1. Will be able to ward test urine and take faecal samples only.

10. Is aware of what is normal and what is abnormal in the observation of urine, faeces and sputum.  Should report abnormalities observed to a qualified person.

11. Be aware of special orders relating to patient’s dietary and fluid requirements.

12. Hand out meals as appropriate to individual patients.

13. Encourage and assist patients with their dietary and fluid intake as appropriate.

14. Record and chart diet and fluid intake as appropriate.

15. At the discretion of the Nurse in charge of the ward will accompany patients to and from departments ie. X-ray.  UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL AN HCA ESCORT A PATIENT FROM THEATRES OR RECOVER A PATIENT FOLLOWING SEDATION.

16. Recognises the need to direct problems identified when communicating with patients or relatives to a qualified member of staff.

17. Ability to collect blood from the blood bank when assessed competent. (Blood product training)

18. Ability to complete basic record keeping – ie. completion of nursing front sheet, documenting observations on the appropriate charts.

19. Will give support to the nurse in charge to ensure that information on the computer System is correct and that other administration is complete on each shift. (After training has been given)

20. Ability to carry out Basic Life Support.

21. Will undertake last offices for patient.

22. Will work with the ward team to ensure the clinical area is kept clean and tidy and all times.

23. Will ensure that cupboards and store rooms and kept clean and tidy and will ensure stocks of disposable items used are replenished.

Professional

1. Will be aware of the Directorate or Trust policies and procedures relating to your ward/department.

1. Will attend relevant study days and courses appropriate to his/her role.


2. Will adhere to the Current Uniform policy.

1. Will know the current sickness reporting policy both the bank office and the ward where booked.

1. Will observe and continually promote equal opportunities in compliance with the Trust’s policies on Equality and Diversity, and Dignity at work.

1. Within 24 hours of commencing duty in the ward will be familiar with emergency procedures relating to fire and resuscitation.  Will be sure of their role within the team and be able to safely participate in an emergency.  Will attend annual training for fire and resuscitation.

1. Will know the Moving and Handling policy and attend annual training.

4.    Is aware of his/her working environment and reports any area of concern to the appropriate personnel.

5.    Assists with and monitors all aspects of patient safety.

            1.  Will participate in ward or departmental quality assurance activities.

This job description is intended to be a guide only to the general scope of the post and not an exhaustive list of duties, you may therefore be required to undertake other duties commensurate with your grade.

This is a description of the job as it is presently constructed.  This will be periodically reviewed and updated to ensure that the job description fully reflects the duties and responsibilities required.  This will be done by the line manager in consultation with the postholder.

 20th April 2011

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Section

Criteria

Assessment Method

Essential

Desirable

Education, qualifications and training

Educated to GCSE standard or equivalent or NVQ in Health & Social Care.

Evidence of personal development

Application Form

Portfolio

Experience

Minimum six months experience within a general NHS hospital

Application Form

Portfolio

Job Skills, knowledge and abilities

Good communication skills both written and verbal.

Team player

Prioritise care/work load

Provide holistic care

Caring

Work well under pressure

Positive role model

Motivated to learn

Application Form.

Written

Assessment at

Interview.

Personal circumstances or other relevant criteria

Caring

Reliable/Flexible

Empathy

Interview