Job overview
Carry out assigned tasks involving direct care in support of, and supervised by, a Registered Nurse.
Relieve trained nurses of the non-nursing duties.
Main duties of the job
Responsible for providing a range of personalised care for patients under the guidance and supervision of a registered nurse including: assisting patients with personal hygiene, toileting, use of continence aids, catheter care, measuring patient output, support patients nutritional and hydration needs, moving and handling, use of mobility appliances, correct patient positioning, ensuring patient safety, taking specimens and observing patients for changes in condition.
To support the productive operation of the ward environment by undertaking a range of non-clinical activities which contribute to the maintenance of a safe and clean environment.
Working for our organisation
To act at all times in a manner that upholds the Trust values working as part of the ward team to ensure that patients and relatives receive Safe, Personal & Effective care.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
MAIN DUTIES
1. Provide good quality personalised care in accordance with agreed local and national standards.
2. Performs essential nursing care to a high quality standard which meets the individual needs of patients
3. If required, help patients with personal hygiene, including care of hair, teeth and nails and under supervision assist with oral hygiene of conscious patients
4. Assist with bathing in bed and in the bathroom, with turning and repositioning of patients, using mechanical aids and bed appliances if required
5. Assist in the care of pressure areas. Monitor skin intergrit6y and report and changes to registered staff.
6. Correct use, maintenance and cleaning of pressure relieving devices.
7. Assist in the care of incontinent patient. Monitor bowel, bladder function and skin integrity and report any changes to registered staff.
8. Demonstrates compassion by recognising and responding to individual needs in a warm, thoughtful, sensitive and helpful way
9. Supports the delivery of high quality end of life care, including care of the deceased and bereaved relatives
10. Maintains patient privacy, dignity with respect at all times
11. Assist with taking and recording of physiological observations. Be aware of the importance of recognizing and escalating Early Warning Scores (EWS)
12. Reports or escalates concerns about any patient’s condition immediately to a registered nurse
13. Identify and report any patients needs that are not included in the care plan
14. Provide patients with appropriate activities and stimulation to promote wellbeing and recovery in particular when providing enhanced care supervision to patients who may have challenging behavior, eg Dementia & Delirium
15. Present a positive image of self, team and the organisation
16. Ensure compliance with Trust Uniform Policy
17. Actively demonstrates role model behaviour and promotes Trust values
18. Take samples from patients for testing or dispatching, after appropriate training and competency assessments, eg urine, sputum, faeces, MRSA swabs, blood products
19. Participate in clinical skills appropriate to the work area. These may include urinary catheterisation, venepuncture, cannulation, wound care, changes wound dressings and completes 12 lead ECG recording – please refer to post specific appendix.
20. Ensure that any samples taken are dispatched as per Trust procedures
21. Ensure that samples obtained are stored correctly whilst awaiting collection and take/send samples to pathology as directed.
22. Complete all documentation correctly
23. Assist patients to meet nutritional and hydration needs in line with their individual care plan
24. Ensure timely completion of menu cards and gives assistance to patients if required.
25. Prepares patients for mealtimes in timely manner where required.
26. Assist with distribution of meals to meet protected mealtime standards.
27. Assist patient with eating and drinking, provides adaptive aids if required, including those patients with identified swallowing difficulties.
28. Prepares and administers beverages for patients in timely manner
29. Weighs patients accurately as directed and records results.
30. Assist with the calculation and recording of patients MUST assessments.
31. Food/fluid charts are fully completed in a timely manner to Trust standards.
32. Assist to maintain patient safety, conforming to health, safety and security legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines.
33. Upholds uniform policy at all times
34. Ensure nurse call systems are answered in a timely way
35. Is able to demonstrate the correct use of cot sides, blue tray, and wet floor signs
36. Must have an understanding of basic Aseptic Non-Touch Technique (ANTT) and any appropriate ANTT assessment as per Trust Policy.
37. Uses agreed moving and handling procedures
38. Ensure patients are safe, comfortable with their care needs met.
39. Takes an active part in Team meetings
40. Makes constructive suggestions to how the service can be improved
41. Challenges or reports poor standards of care or inappropriate behaviour and escalates concerns about the safety and wellbeing patients
42. Uses surveys to gain patient feedback about their experience of their care
43. Undertake intentional rounding and documentation of as requested to meet ward standards
44. Maintain accurate records of care provided and contribute to the relevant databases
45. Assist with the admission and discharge of patients eg appropriate duties may include listing of clothing and valuables and assistance with dressing and undressing
46. Promote equality in care and practice by recognising, respecting and meeting the needs and choices of individuals
47. Treats everyone with dignity and respect
48. Offers choice to meeting individual patient needs
49. Acts in accordance with current legislation, policies, procedures and good practice relating to equality and diversity
50. Addresses/reports behaviour that undermines equality and diversity
51. Safeguards children, young people and vulnerable adults, escalating concerns in line with Trust Policy and regulatory frameworks.
52. Contribute to maintaining safe, clean and productive care environment, compliant with standards for hygiene and cleanliness
53. Unpack linen and stores to maintain stock levels in a timely manner
54. Ensure that ward and utility areas kept clean and tidy
55. Make beds and change them in a timely manner to keep patients clean and comfortable and bed areas correctly prepared for new admissions and completed bedside checklists.
56. Carry out basic administration tasks in the absence of the ward clerk, eg filing, ordering, checking stock levels, printing of patient wristbands.
57. Keep ward equipment cleaned and labelled, completing ward cleaning checklists eg commodes baths and lockers.
58. Help patients with the care of their personal belongings.
59. Reports faulty equipment for repair promptly
60. Orders and cancels pressure relieving equipment as directed.
61. Complete mattress audits checking mattresses are fit for purpose
62. Disposes of clinical waste and used linen as per Trust Policy
Person specification
Essential
Essential criteria
* Level 3 Health and Social Care qualification or equivalent
* Competent numeracy and literacy skills
* Prior experience working at a senior HCA level or Development from HCA Band 2 role
* Clear and accurate written/verbal communication and listening skills
* Friendly and caring manner, demonstrates ability to act sympathetically and sensitively with people
Desirable criteria
* Ability to perform higher level tasks eg venepuncture, cannulation, ECG recording
* Demonstrable personal drive and commitment to develop skills and seeks progression within the Trust